
V 5-il 



Glass _ 

Book 'Vj/Pi 



/ 



THE 



PAST AND PRESENT 



OF 



VERMILION COUNTY 



ILLINOIS 



ILLUSTRATED 



CHICAGO: 

The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 
1903 



Vt. 



Mi^ 



Biography is the only true history."— EMERSON. 






INDKX. 



PAGE 

Abdill, Edward C 983 

Acton, William M 325 

Adams, Ellis 1047 

Adams, Harvey C 22y 

Adams, L. P 842 

Aldridge, Mahlou 544 

Alison, Rev. M. M 51S 

Alldredge, W. R 828 

Allen, Charles A 70 

Alkrfcon, S. W 1024 

Allhands, F. M 498 

Allison, Alfred II45 

Anker, William J 1005 

Arnold, N. M 926 

Atwood, Alfred 53- 

Auer, Rev. Melchior 1 151 

Ay res, Fred H 5i7 

Babcock, Dr. H. S 998 

Bailey, Joseph 730 

Bailey, J. P 238 

Bailey, M. B 225 

Baird, G. W 739 

Baird, Joseph 1013 

Baird, J. F 719 

Baird, W. 1 375 

Baker, H. S 818 

Baldwin, John M 475 

Baldwin, Lycurgus looi 

Barnhart, Ephraim 413 

Barton, R. T 660 

Baum, Samuel W 130 

Baum, W. F 784 

Beard, David 1054 

Benjamin, A. B 736 

Bennett, Thomas 656 

Benson, O. C 887 

Berhalter, A. A 338 



PAGE 

Bever. William, Sr 904 

Beyer, Mrs. Mary 583 

Black, Samuel 270 

Blackstock, W. J 351 

Blair, Mrs. Mary J 1077 

Blankenburg, Ernst 234 

Block, R. .\ 483 

Bogart, C. J 653 

Bolles, H.H 944 

Boo'rde, Elijah J 409 

Brandon, D. C 748 

Branham, Esther E 298 

Bratton, T. A 429 

Brewer, Daniel 694 

Bridgett, William M 152 

Briggs, CM 311 

Bristow, S. A 790 

Brothers, Stephen 685 

Brown, Daniel mi 

Brown, Dr. W. A 955 

Buckingham, George T 75 

Buhl. Cliarles 312 

Busby. C. F 627 

Butterfield, Murry J 1051 

Buy. Fred 1122 

Calhoun, W. J 1042 

Callahan, Simeon 995 

Cameron, L. A 69 

Campbell, F. M 659 

Campbell. Joseph 323 

Campbell, J. D 602 

Campbell. J. J 1108 

Campbell, Rev. W. L 1099 

Cannon. Hon. J. G 968 

Carnahan, Gen. R. H 616 

Carson, John 490 

Carson, John M 576 



PAGE 

Carter, W. H 171 

Castleman, T. B 867 

Cathcart, W. G 1 157 

Catiherwood, A. T 1 148 

Catherwood, M r s. Mary 

Hartwell 208 

Catherwood. J. S 206 

Catlett, Herald 630 

Catlett, Hiram H 947 

Chamberlin, O. P 581 

Chesley, C. E 378 

Chesley, John L 721 

Chesley, L. A 1 1 14 

Chesley, Robert V 172 

Christman, J. S 1102 

Christman, T. F 38 

Church, William A 802 

Clark, Judge S. M 841 

Clapp, A. R 888 

Clements, Col, Isaac 852 

Cline, Spencer 1 1 17 

Clingan, J. W 1030 

Clingan, L. A 385 

Cloyd, Dr. Frazier N 667 

Cloyd, Dr. R. A 5^5 

Clutter, A. H 284 

Coburn, G. F 261 

Cochran, Dr. W. A 137 

Cockerton, George E 135 

Coddington, A. E nog 

Cole, George S 1089 

Collins, Neville A 1078 

Collison, F. A 132 

Collison, Samuel 61 

Collison, Thomas F 158 

Conunercial Trust & Savings ■ 

Bank 1 103 

Cook, B. F 882 



INDEX. 



PACE 

Cook, Enos 88i 

Cook, James P l6i 

Cosat. John J 775 

Cossairt, William 4'4 

Courtney, J. B 941 

Cox, J. A 1073 

Craddock. William 567 

Cromwell, Jackson 1058 

Cronkhitc, B. E 1015 

Crow, Charles F 495 

Cruzan. Alpheus 1023 

Current, Isaac 3-26 

Current. W. H 283 

Cunningham^ E. E 149 

Cunningham, Joseph 41 

Ctmninghani. J. A 45 

Cunningham, William T.... 66 

Custer, John M 125 

Dale. John W 16 

Daniel, O. M 600 

Darr, George W 763 

Davis, I'". L 1032 

Davis. Henry 1050 

Davis. Ira Grant 859 

Davis. James 615 

Davis, J. T 601 

Davis, M. C 610 

Davis, W. J 422 

Davison, James 1076 

Deal, John 777 

DeL/jng. C. B 78 

Dice. James H 433 

Dickinson, John A 574 

Dickson, Janies A 812 

Diehl, John W 492 

Dillon. George 372 . 

Dobhins, W. G 949 

Dodge, Gen. A. G. P 978 

Doney. B. T 151 

Donnelly. Edward 482 

Dougherty. James M 112 

Dougherty. J. M 1083 

Douglass, Dorman B yo6 

Douglass, J. M 546 

Duffin, Thomas 554 

Dukes, John H 1098 

Duley, W. W 1016 

Dimcan, Darius 4.'?6 

Dwiggins. Dr. Walter 28 

Dye. W. W 905 

Eader. U. R 203 

Elliott, Milton 635 



P.AGE 

Ellsworth, C. E 900 

EllsworBh, J. P 963 

F.nglisih, Charles L 96 

English, J. G 196 

Erikson. Ludvig 999 

Evans. Judge D. D 57 

Kverhart. Benjamin 401 

Fairchild. Francis M 712 

Fairchild, Harrison 402 

Fairchild, N. R 769 

F.iirchild, Seth 368 

Fairhall. Dr. Joseph 388 

Fares, F. C. V 1092 

Fanlstick, August 681 

Finley. Dr. J. L 896 

Finley, Watts 650 

Fisher, John W 35 

Fithian, Elisha C. B 228 

Fithian. Dr. Paul E 662 

Fithian, Dr. William 825 

Fleming. A. U 789 

Fleming. J. .A 973 

Flint, W. .-X 411 

Fox. Dr. A. L 919 

Fox. J. W 1 155 

France. H. S 1119 

Frazier, Jay M 1093 

Frazier, John, Sr 458 

Frazier, Perry 1091 

Friends in Vcmiilion county. 848 

Funk, Carl 3:^3 

Gaines, Francis 286 

Garner, James M 1093 

Gass, L. D 138 

George. Thomas J 1 1 16 

Gerrard, John 569 

Giddings, Frank .\ 1018 

f.illc.spic, C. H 428 

Gilmorc, James 939 

Gones, Thomas 451 

Goodner, Mrs. Linca E 883 

GcKxKvinc. James 804 

Goodwine. John, Jr 267 

(;(K)dwinc, J. W.. Sr 636 

Gravat, Oscar B ii.M 

Greenebaum, Gus M 82 

(iregory. A. S 782 

Griffith. Linn 11.., 491 

Gustin. F. M 1068 

Hacker, Frederick 531 

Haggard, D. B 254 



PAGE 

Hahn, Leonard J 634 

Hamilton, John L 625 

Hanly, Dr. G. M 1153 

Hanson, William T 987 

Harris, H. W 242 

Harrison, George 1144 

Harry. S. A. D 644 

Hart, Charles B 515 

Hart, Samuel 1 130 

Hart, William 266 

Hawkins, W. C 753 

Hcaly, J. J 299 

Hebel, .Andrew 484 

Hen<lerson, Olen 781 

Henry, George W 1003 

Henton. Dr. C. D 879 

Herron, John H 22 

Hester, Mrs. Rhoda M 400 

Hessey, William 853 

Hilleary, George F 1132 

Himrod, David 827 

Himrod, Patten 965 

Hinshaw, Dr. D. C 1/7 

Hodges, Rev. Sylvester 442 

Hollovvay. Capt. G. W 741 

Holmes, Robert 246 

Honej'Avell, Alba 84 

Hoopes, Thomas 62 

Hoover, Janies 834 

Hoskins. George W 975 

Howard. J. J 674 

Howard. Thomas A 124 

Hubb. William 194 

Hubbard, N. E 394 

Hughes, Thomas 214 

Humphrey, Dr. S. A 750 

Ingle, G. W 668 

Ingles, Dr. J. A 291 

Irwin, Capt. S. S 961 

Jewell. W. R 950 

Johns, John 529 

Johns, Levi 590 

Johnson. A. L 884 

Johnson, Fred II 1071 

Johnson, John H 1035 

Johnson, W. C loii 

Johnston, David 539 

Johnston, W. T 26 

Jones, .Arthur 552 

Jones, Mrs. Charlotte 709 

Jones, C. E 794 

Jones, C. P 993 



INDEX. 



PAGE 

Jones, Dr. G. B 1065 

Jones, George T 665 

Jones, G. W 704 

Jones, Ira G 860 

Jones, Dr. LeRoy 742 

Judy, A. B 1079 

Juvinall, D. M 1131 

Juvinall, James 1074 

Kceney, W. F... 954 

Keeslar, J. W 255 

Kelley, Michael 126 

Kespler, Edward C 387 

Kesoler, F. E 510 

Kester, H. B 278 

Kimbrough, Dr. A. H 292 

Kimbrough, E. R. E 163 

Knight, James 269 

Knight, Johnson F 1 127 

Kiiykendall. W. D m 

Lancaster, Mrs. Mary Jane.. 621 

Lane, Jesse 879 

Lane, L. D 778 

Lane, W. V 10.38 

Larson, Peter 1 125 

Leach, B. F 7l8 

Leeka, Dr. Jesse 420 

Leemon, John 166 

Leemon, R. A 570 

Leitzbach, Dr. A. J 464 

LeNeve, A. N 47 

LeNeve. Samuel P 556 

Leonard, B. F 996 

Leseure, Ernest X 921 

Leseure, Prosper 896 

Leseure, Victor 1067 

Lcverich, J. G 478 

Lewis, Charles M 555 

Lindley, Frank 772 

Littler, John A 1019 

Loring, Asbury 449 

Lottman, Dr. W. A 463 

Loutzenhiser, A. A 724 

Love, Isaac A 728 

Lynch, William 324 

Lyon, Jotham 696 

McCabe, J. M 345 

McClenathan, C. V 993 

McCord, O. L 205 

McCoy, J. F 511 

McCray, George M 7^2 

McCusker, Edward 11 13 



PAGE 

McElhaney, B. F 1034 

McFarland, John 1021 

McFarland, O. A 770 

McFerren, J. S 30 

Mcintosh, Dr. J. H 165 

McMillin, William M 1112 

McNeill, Milton M 701 

McRejaiolds, W. C 340 

Mahoney, George C 622 

Mann, Abrahami, Jr 303 

Mann, Abraham, Sr 294 

Mann, J. B 434 

Mann, John T ._ 306 

Martin, Edwin "543 

Martm, Patrick 364 

Martin, P. T 761 

Matei, R. H 443 

Maxon, Oscar F 1128 

Mayhugh, John 977 

Meade, David 796 

Menig, George F 894 

Messner, L. C 1006 

Miichael, Dr. O. W 501 

Miller. Dr. Ear! 379 

Miller. George W 932 

Miller, J. W 1055 

Miller, John W 562 

Miller, Stacey 1046 

Moore, Dr. Samuel II37 

Moore, William 104 

Mbore, Dr. William J 809 

Moran, Charles 466 

Mozier, A. H 380 

Mulvany, Christopher 537 

Murphy, Roy L 203 

Myers, L. R 346 

Nash, Dr. W. R 477 

Neville, Norbourn 27 

Newlon, John W 594 

Newman, Mrs. A. L 833 

Norris, L. C 985 

Oak wood, Thomas 702 

Odbert, F. N 1156 

O'Haver, Dr. J. W 890 

Olmsted, A. G 221 

Olmsted, W. C 338 

O'Neal, James 377 

Osborn, F. R 142 

Osman, John W 967 

Painter, H. H 457 

Palmer, E. H 452 



PAGE 

Parle, Sylvester 1129 

Pasteur, Mrs. Ida J 176 

Payne, Lincoln 855 

Payne, W. J 503 

Payton, Jam«s G 688 

Pearson, G. C 13 

Pearson, Judge John 11 

Perry, Thomas 1066 

Peterson, Benjamin 1086 

Pettegrew, John H 109 

Phillips, John A 365 

Poland, Dr. B. I I57 

Porter, Dr. William D 856 

Porterfield, M. F 247 

Powell, Dr. H. C 1069 

Prather, G. W $04 

Prather, James U 143 

Prather, Jonathan I95 

Price, A. S 262 

Price, George 573 

Price, W. H 922 

Ptigh, Mionroe 810 

Purnell, George W 1 140 

Pivtman, C. T 469 

Ray, George T 237 

Redden, William B 76 

Redmond, Dr. T. B 899 

Rees, Isaac M' 871 

Reilly, George W 118 

Reilly, William 1096 

Reveal, W. N 680 

Rhoten, J. H 305 

Rice, B. S 1041 

Rice, J. J 366 

Rideout, Dr. J. L lOI 

Robertson, Isaac 840 

Robertson, Zachariah 276 

Rogers, S. A. D 1123 

Rouse, Edward 184 

Rimyon, Dr. T. H 608 

Rusk, Josiah 527 

Rnsling, Mrs. Frances 743 

Samuel, A. R 553 

Sandusky, Josiah 256 

Sandusky, W. T 352 

Sandusky, William 155 

Sanford, Frank 470 

Schario, Andrew 986 

Sconce, Harvey J 183 

Sconce, James S 178 

Scott. G. M 927 

Shankland, D. M 1095 



INDEX. 



PAGE 

Shea, John G 369 

Shedd, James G 1002 

Shcrrill, Dana U47 

Short, R. A 1033 

Sibrcl, A. J 1105 

Silver, W. M 232 

Sloan, James 874 

Smalley, R. C 642 

Smith, A. B 248 

Smith, Mrs. A. E 285 

Smith, A. G 956 

Smith, E. C 943 

Smith, George G 94 

Smith, Henry 472 

Smith, James L 648 

Smith, John R .U 

Smith, Joseph 1031 

Smith, R. H ii39 

SmiUh, W. M ,39^ 

Snai)p & .Sons. L. E "7 

Snider, Charles 1 103 

Sodowsky, Harvey 331 

Songcr, A. M 917 

Sowers, Noah D 920 

Spang, C. B 103 

Spang, T. H 997 

Sperry, Eli S IO52 

Sperry, Wallace 2g 

Sprouls, John 877 

Stearns, J. C 584 

Stevens, Charles E 811 

Stevens, William T 831 



P.VGE 

Steward, John L 319 

Stewart, Dr. John C 202 

Stewart, William 865 

Slites, B. F 686 

Stratman, William, Jr 711 

Swank, John P II7 

Tanner, George 191 

Taylor, A. A 654 

Terrell, Robert 754 

Thompson, John R 1060 

Thompson, L. M 744 

Thompson. M. W 20 

Tilton. George R 643 

Tilton, George W 723 

Tomlinson, F. D 1 70 

Trego, A. H 50 

Trent, J. B io97 

Vance. J. C 310 

Van Etten, Frank H nao 

Vinson, Henson 593 

Vinson, Levin 5^4 

Voorhees, Peter 988 

Ward. A 245 

Warner, C. W 360 

Watson, M. H 762 

Watson, S. A 682 

Watson, Thomas 672 

Weaver, Michael 99 

Webster, Rev. W. H 9.54 



P.\GE 

Werner, Joseph 1012 

White, William 317 

Whitham, Eugene H 928 

Wilkin, Judge Jacob W 1087 

Wilkins, Dr. J. M 358 

Williams, A. S 981 

Williams, C. C 1150 

Williams, James 343 

Williams, John 868 

Williams, Thomas I47 

Williams, William 854 

Willison, E. B II43 

Willius, John B 354 

Wilson, S. G 90 

Wilson, Dr. W. R 897 

Witherspoon, L. M 334 

Wolcott, Albert 1084 

Wolter, William 1124 

Woodbury, J. C 629 

Woolverton, Thomas 240 

Worthington, R. R 1142 

Wray, J. M 1009 

Wright, M. M 1057 

Wysong, O. B lOO 

Yapp, Jacob 579 

Yeager, Mangus 787 

Y'eomans, George B 496 

York, W.. H 371 

York, Wil! TI 1102 

Ztr?e, A. S 1037 



PAST AND PRESENT 

OF 

VERMILION COUNTY. 



By G. C. Pearson. 



'"The Past and Present of Vermilion 
County with that of DanviHe its County- 
seat" is an excehent title for a volume de- 
voted to historical facts as well as to bio- 
graphical sketches of those who were promi- 
nent in founding- and shaping the conditions 
existing at present. Few realize the true 
significance of wdiat the past embraces in a 
field no wider than that of Vermilion 
county. We need go no farther than the 
fall of i8ig, when a company of five men, 
Blackman, Beckwith. Treat, Allen and 
Whitcomb located at Salt Springs, a few 
miles west of the present city of Danville, 
They were pioneers, promoters, and specu- 
lators, in search of what was at that time 
more esteemed than gold or silver — salt — 
since it was an essential in the domestic 
economy of the early settlers and was diffi- 
cult to obtain. 

It is not our purpose to offer a detailed 
narrative or repeat that which has been so 
well presented by a historian of acknowl- 
edged ability and research, who in his able 
work has rendered it easy to follow the dis- 
coveries and early explorations of the 
French missionaries, the first Europeans to 



invade the vast territory drained Ijy the 
Mississippi and its tributaries, and by the 
chain of lakes and rivers from Chicago and 
Duluth to Quebec. 

Illinois, Vermilion county and Danville 
are especially considered in the history re- 
ferred to which furnishes matter of special 
local interest. These French missionaries 
were in many respects remarkable for their 
tenacity of purpose in making geographical 
explorations and gaining a knowledge of 
the countrj' and in securing the co\-eted 
wealth in the large amount of peltry, which 
they obtained of the Indians, at prices dic- 
tated by themselves. Another motive which 
stimulated them greatly was that of extend- 
ing their church propaganda, by which they 
hoped to Christianize and control the numer- 
ous war-like tribes of Indians who were 
never at peace, but were continually carry- 
ing" on wars which resulted in the extermi- 
nation of one or both contestants. Another 
and no doubt as great a stimulas promoted 
these explorations. It was that by the right 
of discovery the vast expanse over which 
they travelled as well as all contiguous terri- 
torv was theirs or rather their soveriegn's or 



PAST AND PRESENT OF VERMILION COUNTY. 



ruler's, wlio could control, convey and dic- 
tate terms relating to these territories re- 
gardless of the rights of tlie aboriginal 
owners who were dispossessed of tiieir 
homes regardless of justice or equity. 

Is there in the catalogue of crimes any- 
thing comparing with the treatment and 
dealings of the civilized white man with the 
aboriginal barbarian, fmni the first landing 
of the Clirisli.-mizing Sjjaniards in the \\'est 
Indies to the present congressional donation 
of rights of way to railroads and opening 
up for settlement by whites nf the lands in 
Indian reservations to which they had been 
assigned when driven from their l)irthright 
homes, east of the Great l\i\er? Injustice 
and rol)bery of the Indians has been the rule. 

Illinois as it is at present bounded was 
admitted into the L'nirm December 3. 1818, 
by an act of congress Ajjril 18. df that year. 
The first state constitution was ado])ted that 
year remaining in force until March. 1848, 
when a new one was adopted. The most 
important feature of this was a clau.se 
ordering an annual two mill tax to pay 
off the state debt. This constitution 
answered for twent\-two years, when 
August 8. 1870. the organic law was adopted 
when radical changes followed, which have 
been of great value to the peo])le. With 
fift\'-six thousand S(|uarc miles of land in 
her boundaries. Illinois has one hundred and 
two counties. \'ermilion county ranks 
fourth with a thousand sc|uare miles : La 
Salle county with a thousand and eighty 
miles is next: Iroquois with one thousand 
and one hundred; and McLean with one 
thousand one hundred and fifty s(|u;ire miles 
is the largest. 

\'ermilion count}- tojiographically con- 
sidered as well as agriculturally is nrtt sur- 
passed l)y any portion of the state which is 



ni>ted for its superiority in these respects. 
W iib the artesian out-])(nn" of ]inre water in 
unlimited quantities in the northwestern 
I)ortion of the county: with two and three 
six and seven foot veins of excellent bitumi- 
nous coal underlaying the west and south- 
west portion of the county : clay, sand and 
rock deposits favofably situated for utiliz- 
ing at minumum er-cpense. all well distributed 
throughout the county, such ad\-antages 
are to be considered w hen determining upon 
locations for manufacturing and the invest- 
ment of cai)ital .and cnterjjriscs. the success 
of which depends u])on economical material 
and the con\ersion of same into what is 
desired. X'crmilion county is especially 
favored in regard to its freedom from 
climatic extremes. The reason for this is 
that located as it is midway in the thermal 
belt between the tliirtv-nintli and fortieth 
degree of latitude, outside of the great air 
currents which follow the mountain ranges 
on both sides of the continental valley 
through which (low the water arteries north 
and south from the .\rctic circle to the Gulf 
of Mexico — there is a lessened liabilitv of 
barometrical disturbances which variations 
in pressure are primarily the cause of 
tornadoes, cyclones, gales and all of the 
variouslv named winds which benefit or in- 
jure mruikind. The relation of climate, 
more especially the weather, to health, is an 
inc|uir\- deserving of consideration. It will 
be found from statistics that this section of 
the state compares with the most favored, 
not only as regards diseases of the respira- 
tor}- .system Init is free from annual malarial 
diseases resulting from marshes and poorly 
drained alluvial soils. 

In the early part of 1827, (iuy W. Smith 
and Dan. W. Beckwith donated land to the 
countv for a countv-seat. Dan\ille occu- 



PAST AND PRESENT OF VERMILION COUNTY. 



pies that and much more land at present. 
It was a fortunate as well as an ideal lo- 
cation. As the plainsmen ha\e it, "there 
was an abundance of wood, water and 
grass" all easily obtainable. No dang-er of 
floods, matters not if a repetition of Noah's 
time occured ; e.xcellent and economical 
drainage, yet easily accessible from all di- 
rections. Evidences of the Indian's appre- 
ciation of the beauty and advantages of this 
site was to be seen by the pioneer, their 
camping grounds and former \'illage sites 
extending from the crescent banks of the 
main Vermilion river on the south, along 
the billowy shaped bluffs on tiie west, which 
befined the course of the Xortlt Fork to the 
abrupt Denmark Hills. Eastward Stone 
Creek, which was a rapidly flowing stream 
of clear cold water, was the boundary. Re- 
member, too, that this plateau, level as a 
floor, was free from underbrush until long 
after the advent of the whites. A beautiful 
forest of sugar maple was in the southeast- 
ern part, while oaks, walnuts, elms and other 
varities of deciduous trees clothed the north- 
ern portion. It would be useless to attempt 
a pen photogra])h as it would in nowise 
furnish a picture of the natural beauties of 
the original landscape before it was marred 
and destroyed by the ruthless hand of man ; 
ready to sacrifice any and e\-ery thing for 
gain. I doubt if there exists a nature so 
barren of sentiment, so lacking in all that 
elevates mankind above the brute that has 
not some fondness and love of the beautiful. 
Can imagination, poetically inspired though 
it be, present and form any type of beauty 
compared with spring, clothed in her varied 
shades of the bursting; buds of trees and 
shrubs trimmed with garlands of flowers of 
e\"ery color: the summer of hope and antici- 
pation : followed ■ then by the season of 



fruition ; succeeded In- grim visaged winter 
which was, howe\er, a time of warm liearted 
hospitality in pioneer days. The latch string 
of their log cabins was out to all who be- 
sired to enjoy good cheer — letters of intro- 
duction, creed and party played no part in 
invitations to take a chair and make oneself 
at home by the hospitable host. The deep 
broad fireplaces, the width of one side or 
end of the cabin, with its back-log and pile 
of maple or hickory wooil gave both heat 
and light — a cheerful place it was for family 
or stranger when the day's work was done, 
to gather in front of the liright blaze, re- 
count the happenings of the day, discuss 
])olitics (papers and boc^ks were few and far 
between in those days ) plan for the morrow's 
deer hunt or wolf drive, and not infrequently 
do some "sparking" if there was an un- 
coupled young woman in the house. 
Modern formalities were unknown, matri- 
monial as well as other proposals were 
direct and easilv understood. A couple in- 
tent on a better or worse program "mounted 
a nag" and were soon wedded by a minister 
or sc|uire at an outlay often times of not 
more than a "thank you squire" or "much 
obliged, Mr. Dominie." Efficient police 
were unnecessary for guarding presents or 
reporters needed for blazoning to the public 
the folly as well as names of friends. It 
would sound strangelv at the present time, 
if it was gi\'en out to the ubit(nitous reporter 
bjr a pork packer, that he intended building 
a boat at the foot of \'ermilion street with 
gunwales and jjlank from trees cut on the 
flat east and adjoining and loading this boat 
for New Orleans with hams and bacon 
from hogs butchered on the ground over 
which the Wabash railroad now passes on 
the north en.d of the bridge. This has been 
done, however, that ti> within the memory 



PAST AND PRESENT OF VERMILION COUNTY. 



of hv no means tlie oldest inhabitant. 
E(|ually strange to the well fed citizen of 
this day is the fact that a little flutter mill 
on the North Fork, near the ground occu- 
pied by Beard X- Custer's icehouses, fur- 
nished the meal for mush and ])ones in 
1834-5-6. for not only most of Danville's 
citizens but the ccnintry round about. The 
amount that an individual couUl get ground 
was limited to a bushel, half bu.shel custom- 
ers had the preference, although the rule of 
succession was as arbitrarily enforced as it 
is at a po])ular and brst class barber .shop. 
Waiting for hours in sunshine or in rain to 
get a half bushel of com mashed or cracked 
(it never was bolted) would not suit pre.sent 
customers who demand immediate attenticm 
in su])plying their retiuest by telephone and 
complain nf the tardiness of the grocer or 
butcher if tha\' fail in matcri;d or time. 

,\ matter which may be forgotten if not 
noted is this: there was a time in Danville's 
history when there was no butcher shop or 
])lace where provisions could be obtained at 
all times : beef was killed on the scjuare 
after ha\'ing been thoroughly tested for 
milk sickness; if affected it was shown by 
\iolent trembling which ga\e the disease the 
name it was generally known by (trembles) 
it was the cause of many deaths among the 
early settlers. Milk, butter or Ijeef from 
towns or country northeast of the city was 
regarded with sus|)i(5ion. An English family 
of se\-eii who liJid recently settled in Dan- 
ville on the southeast corner of Hazel and 
North streets died in a week from eating- 
butter coming a mile or so northeast from 
the junctifin. The father was a ])(jsitive 
man who said there was not a bit of truth 
in the sickness coming from eating butter, 
that there was no such thing ;is milk sick- 
ness, that he would show the 1 loosiers that 



he was right. I'oor fellow, his faniilv and 
him.self might have escaped a fearful death 
had he been willing to accept facts and not 
stubbornly ignored them. This milk sick- 
ness is something which has eluded in- 
vestigation ; that it is the result of poison 
taken into the system from lieef. butter or 
milk is accepted Ijy medical men wh()se 
practice has given them opportunities for 
inxestigation and treating it. Danville's fair 
name was clouded for years by the reported 
niilk sickness and from the reputation it 
gained in the business transactions at the 
land office which was located there. A 
re])utation smirched is like a name with a 
bar sinister, difl'icult to ])ut aside or over- 
come. With bright prospects for the future 
let us ho])e that all tending to detract from 
Danville's fair name is forever biuMed and 
will l>e forgotten. 

Accepting the pro])osition that effect fol- 
lows cause and is dei)endent itpon it. we have 
briellv outlined that which is termed history 
in the organization of X^ermilion comity, 
with incidental reference to those who gave 
to Danville the county seat an existence as 
such. An attempt to antidate the Indian 
occu])ancy when discovered by the whiles 
or Europeans takes us into a field of un- 
limited speculation, one in which ruithropol- 
ogists as well as archaeologists ha\e signally 
failed in determining. 

.■\s has been previously slated in this 
preface, France by right of discovery of the 
Padres (priests) claimed the Mississip])i 
\alley as also the territories adjacent to the 
lake from the .Atlantic to the Rocky Abiun- 
tains. In a work of this kind, however, an 
extended and detailed account of occurrences 
lirior to the time of occupancy of those 
whose biographies are given, would be of 
no special interest to them, their relatives 



PAST AND PRESENT OF VERMILIOM COUNTY. 



or personal friends. The pressing" needs 
supplied by such a work as the "Past anrl 
Present" is recognized when we look around 
and note the absence of the many familiar 
faces who but a short time ago were prime 
factors and participants in every depart- 
ment and phase of life. How soon are they, 
and will we be forgotten ! Not a pleasant 
subject for contemplation for those whose 
lives have been and are a continuous strug- 
gle to attain some desirable aim — money, 
position, or office for themselves and chil- 
dren. No one, matters not how; lacking 
they are as regards public estimation while 
living, who does not crave for their families 
and friends some record of their existence — 
information which in years to come will be 
treasured and referred to. if not by the 
world at large by those who are directly 
interested — children, grandchildren, great- 
grandchildren — often by descendants of 
many times removed. 

The territory embraced in Vermilion 
county was a part of Crawford county, then 
of Clark county, which extended as far north 
as the Kankakee river. Edgar county fol- 
lowed in the secjuence of county creations 
and was taken from Clark county in January 
182,3. By an act of the legislature January 
18, 1826, Vermilion county was created 
from part of Edgar county and its bound- 
aries defined which were subsequently al- 
tered by subtractions and additions. In 
1833 Iroquois was formed: Champaign 
county was given a goodly strip from the 
west side; Livingston county, organized in 
1837, came in for another slice from the 
northwest corner of Vermilion county ; 
Grundy county in 1841. Will county, 
Iroquois, and Kankakee counties all had 
more or less and yet Vermilion county was 



left territory enough to make her rank as 
fourth in size of the one hundred and two 
counties in the state. 

The early immigration into this terri- 
tory was from the southeast, the Carolinas, 
Tennessee, \'irginia, Kentucky, southern 
Ohio and Indiana, furnished a majority of 
those who sought new homes and enjoy the 
free elbow room existing where neighbors 
were few and stock range unlimited. From 
the present standpoint it is not possible to 
have a correct understanding or idea of 
pioneer society. En\-ironments differing es- 
sentially from what existed fifty years ago 
necessarily effect not only society but every- 
thing connected with and related to it. At- 
tempted descriptions as ordinarily given are 
simply extravaganzas or caricatures. What 
would fashion's de\'otees of the present think 
if called upon to card, spin, weave, dye and 
make the linsey woolsey for their dresses 
and underwear — knit theirs and the stock- 
ings for the household from yarn, every 
thread of which from the sheep's back had 
passed through their busy fingers. The hum 
and whirr of spinning wheels large and 
small, the thud-thud of the loom — was the 
music of the drawing room, reception room, 
parlor, and kitchen all i n one and not 
"E-Pluribus-Unum", as it is now when 
evolution's re(|uirements declare for com- 
fort and ease which cannot be thorouglily 
enjoyed without an unlimited number of 
apartments and servants many therewith. 
What think you would one of those pioneer 
grandmothers have said if such a notice as 
the following had come under her eyes : 
"Girl wanted, two in family, no washing, 
two days out, good wages. Apply at once. 
Room 1903, Flat B". Here it may be well 
to also state tiiat first class girls equal in 



PAST AND PRESENT OF VERMILION COUNTY. 



every respect to tliose employing them were 
paid twenty-five anil tiftv cents per week — 
were regarded as companions and treated as 
such, not as inferiors, drudges unworthy of 
notice. 'I'lie socialistic sentiment existing 
tlien was prochictive of genuine friendship 
wliicii lasted through life. The feudalistic 
idea of inherent iinhilitx' or blue-bloi.idism 
imported fn_)m lun'ope in later years would 
not have been tolorated in a true democracy. 

The government land office for this dis- 
trict was located in Danville in 183 1-2. 
Samuel .McRoberts (afterwards United 
States senator) was the tirst recei\er: J. C. 
Alexander the lirst register. This office re- 
mained until the public land or most of it 
was disposed of. This recjuired some years, 
many receivers and registers ser\'ing in 
these responsible ])ositions faithfully and 
well. Latterl)-, however, the office was used 
by out-siders for personal profit to the detri- 
ment of its rejjutation which reflected upon 
Dan\ille"s reputation and retarded its 
growth. Gold and silver coin alone was ac- 
cepted for land by the government. This 
coin was stored in boxes and stacked uj) mi 
the lloor of the office until the joist would 
bend and the fioor sag under the weight. 
When dei)osits were made at the sub-treas- 
lU'y in Chicago, a wagnn load nf monev was 
sent with no guard or protection except the 
driver and a citizen perhaps, who had busi- 
ness in the Lake City, one hundred and 
twenty-five miles distant, most of the wav 
through a- sparsely .settled fountry. What 
an iipportunity for present professionalists 
til burglarize vaults, .safes and strong boxes, 
terrorize whole communities, and hold up 
railroad trains with impunitv. 

A fortunate thing has it been for Dan- 
ville escaping as it has. all the booms except 



that of 1836 when it was slightly effected. 
It has lieen called old fogisli. a one-horse 
place, by town-site jjromoters and specu- 
lators whose boom cities ha\e gone to the 
wall long ago, while Danxille like the tor- 
toise has won the race. Progress based up- 
on established business in process of develop- 
ing interests which lung cx])erience has 
shown to be necessary and profitable, with 
assurance of continuance, attracts capital 
and investors notoriously shy and conservat- 
ive. Another thing which faxurs the future 
welfare of Danville, as well as that of \'er- 
milion county, if the awakening of the 
citizens to the necessity of utilizing the latent 
sources of wealth which ha\e remained un- 
disturbed until recently. 

Danville's first railroad was the ( ireat 
Western of Illinois in 1859. Consttlidated 
with the Wabash was efYected in June, 1865, 
when a division was made from the state line 
to Danville, making Danville thetenninal 
for east and west divisions. In December, 
1869. the Indiana])olis. l*loomington & 
^\'e,stem was built into Danville from the 
\\ est and from Danville east to Indianapolis 
in December, 1870. Chicago, Danville & 
\'incennes Railroad was completed to Dan- 
ville in Decenil)cr. 1871: the shops, engine 
house etc., during 1872. What is known as 
the Collett road from Terre Haute to Dan- 
ville (a part of the Chicago & Eastern 
Illinois .system) was com])leted into Dan- 
ville December, 1871. The Paris & Dan- 
ville Railroad (a portion of the Big Four 
system at present) was built in 1872. 

It is scarcely necessary to trace the de- 
velopment of the street car system of Dan- 
\illc from the day when two rats of mules 
with tinkling bells to warn ]iedestrians as 
well as others to clear the track for the 



PAST AND PRESENT OF VERMILION COUNTY. 



swiftly moving car in whicli the conipan)- 
could have guaranteecl a sound snooze be- 
tween any of the parks, the Junction, public 
square and transfer office. Wonderful 
changes have been brought about by that 
agency, electricity, not in Inconiotion alone 
but evei"ything else in civilized life, viewed 
from the present standpoint. 

The lives and experiences of the earliest 
pioneers w'ould furnish material for volumes 
of greater interest by far than the creations 
of authors without the personal experience 
which alone gives true relish to recitals of 
border life. Simple statements of every day 
life filled with constant danger of robbery, 
murder and the many contingencies of at- 
tacks by Indians and worse still by the 
refugees and desperadoes that lived upon the 
borders of ci\'ilization. There was a num- 
ber of genuine trappers and hunters living 
in the vicinity of Danville — men of the 
Daniel Boone order. One well remembered 
by the writer was Captain Jim Clynian, a 
genuine frontiersman, hunter and trapper, 
tall, spare in flesh, keen deep-set blue eyes, 
face and hands as bronzed as the color of 
smoked buckskin ; hair that fell upon his 
shoulders; mouth that closed like a steel 
trap, surrounded by a hea\'y lieard which 
with his hair was the color of dried grass. 
Habited in a composite dress of linsey wool- 
sey wamus, buckskin pants, and foot wear, 
a coon skin cap w^orn when in the settlement. 
His long full stocked flint-lock rifle, toma- 
hawk and knife were never out of reach ex- 
cept when he was in the house of a friend, 
which was seldom. He had crossed the 
continent a number of times : years before 
the gold excitement he trapped and hunted 
on the head waters of the Columbia, Mis- 
souri, Yellow Stone and other rivers on the 



western side of the continent. He had 
crossed the Sierra Nevadas into Sacramento 
valley ; was thoroughly acquainted with the 
topography of California, its mild climate 
and abundance of game but knew nothing" of 
the gold which lay exposetl upon the slate 
bed rock of creeks and rivers on the wes- 
tern slope of the mountains. This, however, 
is not so strange when Fremont with his 
corps of scientists traxersed these ranges over 
the same ground no doubt which Clyman 
had hunted, and not a word was said in his 
reports to go\-ernment abijut gold. A 
pioneer California gold prospector is 
skeptical to the merits of the so called 
scientists who if they knew did not report it. 
Clvman's remarkable individuality attracted 
all who came in contact with him. At times 
when in conversational mood he could keep 
listeners s]3ell bound by narrating- his per- 
sonal experiences among the Indians ; of the 
manv hair-breadth escapes from capture, 
which meant death by torture, practiced only 
bv the Indians ; of his contests with mountain 
lions, panthers, grizzly bears and other wild 
animals which furnish the furs so much in 
demand and are captured at such hazard to 
life. Settling finally in Xapa Valley, Cali- 
fornia, this man of adventure passed the 
autumn of life in peace and plenty, dying 
at the ripe age of ninety-two. Space is given 
to this man Clyman as one of the very 
first pioneers of Vermilion county, and yet 
it never mentioned as far as the writer 
knows, in prose or poetry, eulogy or censure. 
Trails and foot paths blazed through the 
woods were the onlj' raods in the early days ; 
bridges there were none; rivers, creeks and 
slotighs must be forded or ferried ; in time 
of high water and floods, delays were neces- 
sary until the water subsided. Traveling 



PAST AND PRESENT OF VERMILION COUNTY. 



was done on foot or horse back by lioth fit fastened to the back of their saddles. In- 
men and women. Short as well as long dei)cndence of thousiht and actit>n character- 
journeys were made tliat way. Old and ized the women pioneers. What they lacked 
young women were jiroficient in c(|ucstra- in scholastic acquirements was made up in 
tion. It was not at all uncf>mm(in for practical know ledjic upon a basis of good 
journeys of several hundred miles to be sense, 
made by them on horseback with tlieir out- 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



JUDGE JOHN PEARSON. 

Judge John Pearson prol^ably took as 
active part in the development of Danville as 
any other one man, and his eiTorts were not 
alone along one line. He diil not merely 
contribute to the business growth of the 
city, but gave liberally of his means to the 
support of churches, and moreo\'er he shed 
around him much of life's sunshine, because 
of his kindly, benevolent spirit, his ready 
sympathy and his tired and true friendship. 
Thus it was that Danville loved and honored 
him and readily acknowledged her indebted- 
ness to him for what he accomplished in 
her behalf. 

Judge Pearson was born in A\on, New 
York, in January, 1802. His forefathers 
came from England to America, settling in 
Connecticut, and at an early day representa- 
tives of the family iiecame residents of 
Avon, being among the first settlers of 
western New York, The first of the name in 
this country was Rev. Abraham Pearson, 
who came from Yorkshire, England, in 1639. 
His son, who was also Rev. Abraham Pear- 
son, was the first president of Yale College, 
and died in Killingworth, Connecticut, in 
1707, at the age of sixty-one years. John 
Pearson, the father of the Judge, was the 
1 



sixth child born to Ephraim and Hannah 
Pearson, his birth occurring in the town of 
Tolland, Connecticut, in 1765, while he 
died in western New York, at the age of 
forty-seven years. He was a pioneer mer- 
chant of that part of the state and a very 
wealthy man. He married Rebecca Wat- 
rous, whose first husband was General Hull, 
a Revolutionary soldier; her second, John 
Pearson; and her third. Colonel Samuel 
Blakeslee, also a hero of the Revolution. 
She survived all, dying at the age of ninety- 
six years. 

Judge John Pearson was a graduate of 
Princeton College, of New Jersey, and read 
law with Judge George Hosmer, of Avon. 
There in 1826 he married a daughter of 
George S. Tiffau}', an attorney of Scho- 
harie, New York, of a wealthy and aristo- 
cratic family, all of whom were in the pro- 
fessions. After his marriage Judge Pearson 
came to what was then the far west and be- 
gan practicing law. His brother-i*n-law. 
Rev. Henry Storrs, was then in Ravenna. 
Ohio, and the Judge located in that town. 
He later started for Chicago, stopping en 
route at Detroit to \-isit relati\'es, named 
Truax. At that place he took a sailing ves- 
sel for Chicago, arriving early in June, 
1832, and as there was then no harbor the 



12 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



vessel had to anchor out in tlic lake and the 
passengers were taken asliorc in yawls 
Alajor Whistler was in command of Fort 
Dearborn during the Sauk war of 1832. 
and, as he was a friend of Judge Pearson 
and his family, he had the Judge bring his 
family into the fort. The father, in look- 
ing around Chicago, found it was unsafe to 
remain there unless one was in the fort, so 
he came to Danville, the nearest point of 
safety, a company of rangers being sta- 
tioned here. The Judge came here on horse- 
back to look at the town. During his ab- 
sence the first steamer arrived at Chicago, 
bringing Scott's troops, but it also brought 
the cholera and a regxilar exotlus was made 
from Fort Dearborn. ]\Iark Beubcan took 
the family out to the summit and there 
waited until the father returned with a 
wagon 111 transport them. They were one 
week in making the trip, having to follow 
an Indian trail through Joliet. and quite a 
panic was caused by a lot of Indians who 
came uj) to them, but they were found to 
be not hostile, but in search of food because 
they were starving. 

Judge Pearson began the practice of law 
in Danville and was appointed by the legis- 
lature to the office of circuit judge, his cir- 
cuit comprising Cook, Will, Iroquois, Du 
Page and De Kalb counties, and he made 
his home in Joliet, while filling that office. 
He served on the bench until elected to the 
state senate, when he resigned the judge 
ship, and later he resigned as senator in 
favor of Joel Matteson. His wife died 
June 4, 1842, and in 1843 he married Kath- 
erine Passage, of Princeton, New Jersey. 
He then located in New York city, where 
he remained until 1846, but he did not like 
it there and besides his property was in 
the west, he having large landed interests in 



Chicago and in \'ermilion county. In 
1849 li^ made the overland trip to Califor- 
nia, where he engaged in selling goods, 
taking out a fine outfit. He would not enter 
into politics there and after selling out his 
store at Bidwell's Bar, California, he went 
down among the Yumas on a trading ex- 
pedition and his partners were killed. Al- 
though he escaped with his life he lost all 
his possessions and soon after he returned 
to Danville, where he spent his remaining 
da_\s, having a fine property here and large 
laniled interests in the state. 

Judge Pearson was a strong Democrat 
and G. C. Peai-son now has a cane whicl 
was cut at The Hermitage and given to his 
father by Andrew Jackson. He was noted 
for keeping the first carriage and horses 
here and his first wife and the children 
dro\e thus to Detroit in 1836, passing 
through Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. 
He was always an advocate of progress 
anil was quick to introduce anything which 
tended toward advancement along lines 
pro\ing of benefit to the community. He 
gave his attention to the supervision of his 
landed interests, and had extensive property 
holdings in this state. He at one time 
bought eighty acres of land south of Twelfth 
street in Chicago, of G. S. Hubbard, for 
seventeen dollars per acre, and forty acres 
on the west side, west of Halstead street, 
taking it in pa^t payment for property sold 
in Danville, but not considering it of any 
\alue he paid no attention to it and did 
not record the deed of sale. lie figured 
prominently in many events which had much 
to do with shaping the develo])ment of the 
state. His control of property interests not 
only led to business activity and to the re- 
clamation of wild land for purposes of civil- 
ization, but he was also an active factor 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



13 



in assisting many other measures for the 
general good. Churches received his gen- 
erous support, and he was a man of very 
charitable and benevolent spirit. One of his 
predominant traits was his loyalty to his 
friends. He held friendship inviolable and 
was ever ready to assist a friend in any way 
possible. This naturally increased the cir- 
cle of his own friends, and it is safe to say 
that no man in Danville was held in greater 
regard by a wide circle of acciuaintances 
than was Judge Pearson, the honorefl pio- 
neer, who passed away in June, 1875. 



GUSTAVUS C. PEARSON. 

Gustavus C. Pearson, a capitalist of 
Danville, became a resident of this city July 
4, 1832. Hardly another resident can 
claim personal recollection of the county at 
that remote period. Many events of , im- 
portance, however, have in the interval 
shaped the life history of Mr. Pearson, who 
was one of the argonauts who went to Cali- 
fornia in search of the "golden fleece" on 
the discovery of the precious metal on the 
Pacific slope; who was one of the early 
board of trade men of Chicago ; and was 
also largely engaged in promoting the trade 
interests of the Pacific coast. Prospering in 
his undertakings, he has largely placed his 
money in that safest of all investments — 
real estate — and is to-day accounted one of 
the capitalists of Danville, to which city he 
was brought in his boyhood when this was 
a frontier settlement. 

Mr. Pearson was born in Ravenna 
Ohio, July 17, 1827, a son of Judge John 
and Catherine (Tififany) Pearson. In 
childhood he came to Illinois and obtainedij 



attended Bishop Chase's Jubilee College 
near Peoria and Allegheny College at 
Mead\-ille, Pennsylvania, and took up the 
study of law under the direction of Josiah 
McRoberts in Danville in 1845-6. He af- 
terward went to Joliet and at the age of 
seventeen years had charge of the extensive 
business of Joel Matteson, with whom he 
remained until going to California. He left 
Joliet March 25, 1849, proceeded to St. 
Joseph, Missouri, and up 'the Platte river 
and thence across the country to Salt Lake, 
becoming well acquainted with the Mor- 
mons during his three months stay there, 
at which time he was engaged in hunting. 
He cut five and a half acres of wheat with 
a sickle, threshed it with a flail and cleaned 
it b}' means of the breeze from Salt Lake, 
which always blows in the afternoon. He 
sold his produce to a Mormon bishop, re- 
ceiving Mormon gold in exchange. With 
others he had been persuaded to stay until 
too late to go by the usual route — the Hum- 
boldt — to California, and then they were 
told to go by the southern route or else be- 
come Mormons, so the former alternative 
was accepted, the demand being made by 
Brigham Young in open meeting, it being 
his intention from the first to make them the 
explorers and openers of the southern route. 
Mr. Pearson gave up his wagon two hun- 
dred and fifty miles before reaching Cali- 
fornia. He had one of the finest outfits in 
his party but he turned it over to a starving 
family who were to deliver it to him in 
California. Ten of them then took their 
packs upon their backs and traveled night 
and day until they covered one hundred 
and thirteen miles, having no water during 
this time. The place has since been called 
Death's Valley. Two of the men went 
crazv from thirst. Thev had constantly to 



his early education in Joliet. He afterwardbe on the lookout and a new trail had to be 



14 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



made for there was none. Tliey I'lnally 
reached Mohave and from there broke their 
way through the snow and over the moun- 
tains, crossing at the foot of San Bernardi- 
no mountain. Continuing on for two and 
a half days without anytliing to eat they 
reached Cocomongo ranch. Jackson, a 
former hunter of the Rocky mountains, wiio 
was major-domo in charge there, recognizing 
their condition, put tliem into a cellar, lock- 
ing them in and then ga\e them weak wine 
and a little beef broth. This uudmihtedly 
saved their lives for had they been permitted 
to eat in their half-famished condition, they 
would undoubtedly have killed themselves 
by eating too much. However, Jackson 
gradually increased their rations uniil they 
could partake of a regular meal. A beef 
was driven into the court and killed for the 
Indian employes daily and after a few days 
Mr. Pearson and his comrades were al- 
lowed to cut off from this beef as much as 
they wanted to broil. 

brom the ranch tliev went to Los .\n- 
geles, a Si)anish hamlet, and on the first 
night there was a ball. A southern gambler 
who had been norlh was shot down by one 
of a party of gamblers, with whose girl he 
had danced, yet nothing was done to him, 
as such <iccurrences were too common to 
cause much attention. The next morning 
the party of gamblers, wanting aiuusement. 
put four negro American seamen in a corral 
enclosed by a seven foot wall and then shot 
at them \vitli rc\-olvers from the top of the 
wall. The negroes later escaped to San 
Pedro and went north on a \essel named 
Honolulu, a boat which ha<l been built for 
the king of Honolulu. .Mr. Pearson, Will- 
iam Richardson and fatlier, from Kentucky, 
were also passengers on that schooner, 
which landed them at San Francisco. Our 
subject possessed eighty dollars in Mt)rnion 



gold with which he tried to buy a pair of 
boots, but found their price was one hun- 
dretl dollars. He obtained a position in a 
wholesale store, receiving his board and one 
hundred dollars per month and after two 
weeks he met bis father and went with him 
to Marysviile. bVom there they went by 
wagon to Bidwcll's Bar, where the father 
had a store. One evening with the l)oys 
from the store, Mr. I'earson went to a gold 
bar and about twenty minutes later they had 
sex'cn dollars and a half in gold dust. They 
played poker for this, using beans as chips, 
and our subject winning, he invested it in 
things to eat for the party. 

After leaving the bar, Mr. Pearson 
erected a half dozen tent houses but lost on 
this venture. The town of Eliza, where 
thev were built, is now twenty feet under 
debris from ibu washings of the Nuba and 
many who now live in that locality never 
knew that a town existed there. fireat 
changes have taken place and a pear orchard 
now grows over the site of the old town. 
Mr. Pearson engaged in prospecting in Ne- 
vada City witli his brother, but not being 
satisfied he went to Poor Man"s creek, being 
one of the first to discover it. The first 
hour he picked up seventy-five dollars in 
gold nuggets on the slate bar. There were 
ten in bis p;u't\" an<l they took up part of 
the creek aucl dixided it into twenty-two 
claims and then turned the course of the 
creek. The mimliers of the claims were put 
into a hat. shook up and then drawn by the 
members of the party, each taking two, but 
out of the twenty-two claims only Xo. 3, 
the one Mr. Pearson drew, ])aid anything 
of value. He and his brother, however, 
realized well from this, taking out as high 
as five hundred and fifty dollars to the pan. 
He afterward bonght a claim on the South 
Yuba, but it was unjirofitablc, .and as winter 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



15 



came tm he went south to tlie dry diggings, 
wliile iiis brother returned liome. Mr. 
Pearson took a stock of goods do\\'n from 
Sacramento to Dry Creek, south of Ma- 
cosmes. Tliere he was taken ill with the 
mountain fever and was the only one of those 
who became sick with the fever to ra- 
ce )\'er. However, he lost everything he had 
but a mule and four hundred dollars in gold 
dust which he had under his blankets. He 
next went to Owsley's bar on the Yuba 
ri\'er and he and his father operated two 
or three quicksilver machines for fine gold, 
making fair wages. The father then went 
into the cattle business and the son then 
went to Rich bar, on the east fork of Feather 
river, spending the summer there. He next 
went to Downeyville, doing well on Durgans 
Flat, and in October he went up the moun- 
tain, passing "Three Fingered Jack," one 
of the Joaquin robbers. Mr. Pearson's 
party left the trail to eat and get water and 
losing their way they were off the trail for 
several miles and when they did reach it 
they found out that between the place they 
left and the place they returned to it, thir- 
teen men had been killed by the robbers that 
day. 

Mr. Pearson returned to Illinois, mak- 
ing the journey by boat in 1852. The fol- 
lowing year he was in Chicago or else 
traveling over the country. He then took 
some goods to California and there he se- 
cured some land and set out the first fruit 
trees on the red lands, southeast of Sacra- 
mento, where General Sutter said fruit 
could not be made to grow. In 1855 he 
engaged in mining on Sherlock's creek in 
the Mariposa grant. In August, 1855, he 
with a party of ten others discovered the 
Yosemite valley and with them laid claim 
to the valley. He afterward sold goods in 



the mountains and in the fall returned to 
Chicago. He had an oflice at No. 17Q 
South Water Street, and at the northwest 
corner of Clark and Water streets, then 
known as Rumsey's corner, a few of the 
men would gather to buy and sell, for there 
was no board of trade in the city then. Af- 
ter the railroads were built and grain was 
shipped to the city the board was organized 
and Mr. Pearson was one of the first mem- 
bers. He did a general commission busi- 
ness in Chicago until 1869, also erected 
buildings there and owned considerable real 
estate on Halstead street and in Hyde Park. 
He was a personal friend of Lyman J. Gage. 
His brother, George T. Pearson, was sec- 
retary of the Old Settlers Society of Chica- 
go, and at his death, our subject, who had 
the records of the society, donated them to 
the Historical Society. 

Going out of business in Chicago in 
1869 on account of bronchial trouble he .re- 
turned to California. Mr. Pearson took 
men with him and built the first grain ele- 
vator there, at Vallejo and helped form the 
board of trade of San Francisco, for grain 
dealing. With his partner, A. D. Starr, he 
also built a big mill at Vallejo with a capac- 
ity of two or three thousand barrels per 
day and this is still in use. After ten years 
of effort he got the warehouse law passed 
and it is now recognized as a most benefi- 
cial law for California. He drew up the 
bill, which was opposed by the Jewish mer- 
chants on account of the sack business which 
was controlled by them, but after a decade 
of unremitting efforts it became a law. 
Selling his mill Mr. Pearson traveled ex- 
tensively. He became convinced that vine- 
yards would pay in California and went 
abroad to study the question. He shipped 
much wine in this way and also shipped the 



i6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



first tliousand I)anels which was sent from 
Marysville across tlie continent. He has 
traveled l)roatlly, not only in this country 
but also in South America and in Europe. 
At length he disposed of his business inter- 
ests in California and partly for tlie purpose 
of educating his children returned to the 
east, locating in Danville about 1879. He 
has since been a resident of tliis city, and 
is now widely known as a capitalist. 

In September, 1864, Mr. Pearson mar- 
ried ]Miss Hattie Brown, a daughter of 
Judge Anthony Brown, of Ogdensburg, 
New York. Her father was a leading at- 
torney in that city and her brothers were 
prominent in railroad circles. Mr. and Mrs. 
Pearson have three children : John A., of 
Danville; Fannie, wife of James A. Meeks, 
of the firm of Kimbrough & JMeeks, attor- 
neys of Danville; and Nomen N.. now in 
the United States coast artillery, stationed 
at San Diego, California. J\Tr. Pearson is 
a member of Blaney Lodge, F. & A. M., of 
Chicago, and was formerly a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd b'ellows and 
he belongs to the Old Settlers Society of 
Chicago and of California. Few men have 
so wide and accurate knowledge of the de- 
velopment of the two states, California and 
Illinois, whose marvelous growth has been 
among the wonders of the century, but per- 
sonal experience has closely associated Mr. 
Pearson with this. 



TOHN \y. DALE. 



Few men have contributed in larger 
measure to the material upbuilding and sub- 
stantial im])rovement of Danville and this 
portion of Illinois than has John W. Dale, 



who through his real estate interests has not 
only promoted his own indixidual jirosper- 
ity but has also contributed to the general 
good, the progress and prosperity of the 
community in whose welfare he has mani- 
fested a loyal and public-spirited interest 
and his fellow townsmen respect him as a 
man worthy of the confidence and good will 
of those with whom he has been associated. 
Since i860 he has resided in \'ermilion 
county and is therefore among the early set- 
tlers. 

Mr. Dale was born in Clark county, 
Ohio, Januar\- 15, 184J. and is a son of John 
J. Dale, whose birth occurred in Maryland 
in i8o(). The paternal grandfather was Ja- 
cob Dale and the family is of Scotch lineage 
the first representative of the name in 
America having become pioneer settlers of 
Maryland. Jacob Dale died when his son 
was a small child and the latter afterward 
went to Philadelphia, where he learned the 
merchant tailoring business, following that 
pursuit for some years. He was wedded in 
South Charleston, Clark county, Ohio, to 
Elizabeth Davison, who was born in that 
county and was a daughter of Isaac Davi- 
son, one of the early settlers who removed 
from Virginia to Ohio. After arriving at 
years of maturity John J. Dale took up his 
abode at South Charleston and began busi- 
ness there as a merchant tailor, successfully 
conducting his establishment for a number 
of years. In 1856, however, be se\ered all 
business relations connecting him with Ohio 
and remn\cd to Warren cnunly, Indiana. 
Upon a farm there he made his home for a 
few years and in the spring of i860 came to 
\'ermilion county, Illinois, purchasing land 
in Ross township. The tract of which he 
became owner was liroad prairie but with 
characteristic energy he began its cultivation 







^L uJv-A^ 



'L 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



'9 



and improvement and soon transformed it 
into a good farm which he operated for a 
number of years. He afterward removed to 
Rossville where he hved in retirement from 
labor until his death, which occurred in 



187; 



He was elected and served in va- 



rious positions of honor and trust and was 
regarded as one of the leading and influ- 
ential men of his neighborhood. His wife 
survi\-ed him for a numljer of years and 
passed away in iSoq at the age of eighty- 
four years. In their family were four sons 
and five daughters, all of whom reached 
years of maturity with the exception of one 
daughter, and three sons and three daugh- 
ters are yet living; Sarah, the eldest, is the 
wife of Isaac Neer, of Clark county, Ohio ; 
Jacob is living in South Dakota : INIartha 
became the wife of William M. Ross and 
lived in Vermilion county for sometime but 
afterward removed to Indiana, where Mrs. 
Ross died ; Daniel was a memlier of Com- 
pany B, Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry, during the Civil war and was killed 
in the battle of Stone river; John W. is the 
ne.xt younger: Isaac is a minister and pre- 
siding elder in the Methodist Episcopal 
church and is now located at South Bend, 
Indiana: Margaret A. is the wife of Abra- 
ham Mann, of Ross t(iwnship : Mary died 
at the age of fourteen years : Hlmma re- 
sides with her sister, Mrs. Mann. 

John W. Dale of this review spent the 
first fourteen years of his life in the county 
of his nativity and then came with his pa- 
rents to Vermilion county. Illinois, where he 
assisted in the work of the home farm and 
in cultivating its fields until the spring of 
1861. He acquired a good education in the 
public schools and after the war he was a 
student in an academy at Thorntown. Indi- 
ana, under the direction of the famous his- 
torian, Ridpath. 



On the 1st of June, 1861, Mr. Dale join- 
ed Company B, Twenty-fifth Illinois Infan- 
try and was assigned to the army under the 
command of General Curtis. The first en- 
gagement in which he participated was at 
Pea Ridge, Arkansas. Later he was sent to 
Corinth, Mississippi, and soon afterward his 
regiment joined the Army of the Cumber- 
land and participated in the battles of Perry- 
ville. Stone River and Chickamauga. In the 
latter engagement he was wounded, losing 
his left arm. A gun-shot pierced that mem- 
ber and so injured it that it was necessary 
to amputate it in a hospital at Xashville, 
Tennessee. W'hen he had sufticienth' re- 
covered Mr. Dale returned home and later 
had to have a second operation on his arm, 
another portion of it being amputated. He 
W'as mustered out and received an honorable 
discharge in September, 1864. Before be- 
ing mustered out he was in se\'eral hospitals 
and he experienced all the hardships and 
rigors of war. 

Returning home Mr. Dale determined 
to further continue his education and spent 
about two full years in school. He was af- 
terward elected assessor and collector of- 
Ross township, serving for two or more 
terms. In the fall of 1869 he was elected 
county clerk and by re-election ser\-ed for 
three consecutive terms in that important 
office, discharging -his duties with ability and 
fidelity. He retired from the positon as he 
had entered it — with the confidence and 
good will of the public. He has since served 
as assistant su])ervisor and commissioner 
of highways, likewise as a member of the 
board of education. In politics he has ever 
been a stalwart Republican and he has fre- 
quently been a delegate to state conventions. 
In whatever position he has been found he 
has ever been a faithful and efficient officer. 
His first ballot was cast for Abraham Lin- 



20 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



coin in 1S64 and he has never yet waxered 
in his allegiance to the party. On the ex- 
piration of his service as county clerk he en- 
gaged for a time in the manufacture of bug- 
gies and has for stjme years operated in real 
estate, largely handling lands in Vermilion 
county, Illinois. In connection with Mr. 
Cunningham he purchased nine hundred 
acres of land adjoining Danville, laying out 
an additon known as \'ermilinn Heights, 
which is now a very atttracti\'e suburh of the 
city and includes many manufacturing in- 
terests there. 

On the 26111 of June. 1873. in this city, 
our subject was united in marriage to Miss 
Harriet I. Hicks, a native of Perrysville, In- 
diana, who was reared and educated there, 
her father. George I. Hicks, being one of the 
leading business men of that place, and one 
of the pioneer jjork packers of the Wabash 
Valley. I\lr. and Mrs. Dale are the ])arcnts 
of four children : Elizalieth, who is at 
home; Katie, who died in childhood; 
Georgia and Nellie, who are still under the 
parental roof. The parents Imld member- 
shi]) in tlie Methodist Ei)isco])al church at 
Danx'ille and fralernallv he is identified with 
Danville Lodge, T. O. O. P., in which he has 
filled all the offices and is a pa.st grand. He 
also belongs to the Benevolent and Protec- 
tive Order of Elks and to the. Grand .\rmy 
of the Repulilic, this last membership enab- 
ling him to maintain pleasant relations with 
his old ami}- comrades. During forty-two 
years Vermilion county lias been his home 
and iherefdre he has been a witness of its 
growth and ini])ro\-ement. He belongs to 
that class of progressive .American citi.''ens 
who while promoting indi\idu;d suc- 
cess also find time and ojiportunity to ad- 
vance the general welfare by hearty and ac- 
tive co-operation in all measures for the gen- 



eral good. He is to-day as true to his duties 
of citizenship as when he followed the starry 
lianner upon the southern battle-fields. 



MORTOX W. THOMPSOX. 

Since 1883 Morton W. Thompson has 
been a practitioner at the liar of \'ermilion 
county, where he has won distinction as a 
most able lawyer because of his learning, his 
carefid preparation of cases, his keen analy- 
tical mind and his strength in argument. He 
is now filling the position of circuit judge 
and upon the bench he has added new laurels 
t(i his already creditable life record. 

Mr. Thompson is one of \'ermilion 
county's native sons, his birth having oc- 
curred on the 23d of May, 1858. In the pa- 
ternal line he is of Irish and Scotch ancestry. 
His father, John R. Thompson, was a native 
of Greene county, Pennsylvania, and from 
there he removed to Vermilion county, Illi- 
nois, in the year 1853, driving across the 
country with a drove of three thousand 
sliec]!, which he pastured here that season 
and then drove to the Chicago market. The 
following year he returned to Pennsylvania, 
again secured a large flock of sheep and once 
more brought them to Vermilion county, 
where he fattened them for the city markets. 
He was pleased with this locality and its 
prospects and he resolved to make his home 
here, continuing a resident of Vermilion 
county throughout his remaining days. He 
was an extensive stock-raiser and farmer 
and prospered in his business undertakings. 
In Champaign, Illinois, in 1856, he was 
united in marriage to Elizabeth A. Wright, 
who was born in \^erniilion county and was 
of German lineage. Her birth occurred in 




JUDGE M. W. THOMPSON. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



21 



1S37 and her death in 1897, while the father 
of the Judge, who was born in 1832, passed 
away in 1896. They reared a family of 
seven children, namely : Morton W. ; David 
L. ; Anna, the wife of E. J. Boorde; Nellie; 
John R., v.-ho is proprietor of the Thompson 
restaurants of Chicago ; Ulysses S. ; and 
Gertrude, the wife of R. S. Swaine. 

At the usual age Judge Thompson en- 
tered the public schools and after mastering 
the common branches of English learning he 
further continued his studies in the Dan\ille 
high school, in which he was graduated 
with the class of 1879. He then returned to 
the home farm, where he remained for a 
period of two years. Subsequently he en- 
tered the University of Michigan, at Ann 
Arbor, pursuing a law course there, and in 
1883 he was graduated with the degree of 
Bachelor of Laws. Returning to his native 
county he established his office in Danville 
and acted as assistant states attorney under 
W. J. Calhoun. In 1889 the law firm of 
Calhoun ct Thompson was organized and 
this connection was maintained until 1896, 
when Mr. Calhoun went to Chicago as at- 
torney for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois 
Railroad Company. The following year he 
was elected judge of Vermilion county at a 
special election to fill out an unexpired term, 
and in November, 1898. he became the regu- 
lar nominee of the Republican party for re- 
election for a full term. Such is the per- 
sonal popularity and such is the confidence 
reposed in his judicial pow-ers by the public 
that the Democrats placed no opposing can- 
didate in the field. It was a merited tribute 
to his capable service during the period in 
which he was filling out the unexpired term. 
In September, 1902, Judge Thompson was 
appointed by Governor Yates to fill out the 
unexpired term of the late Judge Bookwalter, 
of the circuit court, and immediatelv entered 



upon the duties of that office. He has just 
been nominated for the full term as circuit 
judge of the fifth judicial circuit by an over- 
whelming majority, which is equivalent to 
his election next June. A local paper said of 
him : 

"'While in acti\e practice Judge Thomp- 
son was engaged in some of the most im- 
portant litigation in this county, and was 
always considered an honorable, honest and 
careful Ia\\}-er. In 1S97 'i^ '^^'^s elected 
county judge of this county to succeed Hon. 
John G. Thompson, who resigned to accept 
the office of assistant attorney general of the 
United States at Washington. During his 
term as county judge he was always court- 
eous and accommodating- and ready at all 
times to explain any business in his court to 
all who might inquire, as well as to advise 
those who sought information in reference 
to the business of the office — in fact, the 
affairs of the county court of this county 
were never conducted more ably and care- 
fully than by him, as thousands of people in 
this county will cheerfully testify. One of 
the highest recommendations of Judge 
Thompson's ability and honesty is the fact 
that not a dollar was ever lost to the widows 
and heirs of estates while he was county 
judge, and it was almost universally re- 
gretted by the bar and people generally 
when he announced a year ago that he would 
not accept a renomination to that office. 

"Judge Thompson was frequently called 
to other counties to try important cases. In 
Chicago he has tried some of the most im- 
portant cases in this state, notably the State 
street and Cottage Grove avenue special as- 
sesstuent cases, and the tax cases of Cook 
county tried by him under the new revenue 
law of 1898. involving millions of dollars. 
In the big tax cases all parties interested 
agreed upon Judge Thompson and requested 



22 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



him to come to Chicago and try that tlocket, 
and so ably did he succeed that tlie supreme 
court of this state affirmed his decision in 
every case. 

"Last September Governor "^'ates ap- 
pointed him to fill out the unexpired term of 
the late lamented Judge Bookwalter and he 
at once assumed the duties of circuit judge 
and held the October term of our circuit 
court, which has just closed. For the past 
three months Judge Thompson has held 
court every day, and succeeded in disposing 
of every case ready for trial, and his manner 
of holding court and promptness of dispos- 
ing of the business and his uniform courtesy 
and fairness has won the respect and con- 
fidence of the bar as well as the people of 
this county, and proved him to be one of the 
most popular and fair-minded judges in this 
part of the state." 

The Judge was united in marriage to 
Miss Alollie W. Steen, a daughter of Cap- 
tain E. D. Steen, of Danville, the wedding 
having been celebrated in 1887. Fraternally 
he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, 
with tlie Inilependent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, with the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks and in the Masonic fraternity 
he is a Consistory Mason, having attained 
the thirty-second degree. In private life he 
is found as a genial, courteous gentleman, 
who has a very wide acquaintance in the 
county of his nativity and is not only es- 
teemed and honored but has that warm per- 
sonal friendship which arises from kindli- 
ness and deference for the opinions of otliers. 
The practice of law has been his real life 
work, and at the bar and on the bench he has 
won marked distinction. A man of unim- 
peachable character, of unusual intellectual 
endowments, with a thorough understanding 
of the law, patience, urbanity and industry, 



Judge Thompson took to the bench the very 
highest qualifications for this responsible 
office of the state government, and his rec- 
ord as a judge has been in harmony with 
his record as a man and a lawyer, distin- 
guished by unswerving integrity and a mas- 
terful grasp of every problem whicli has 
I^resented itself for solution. 



JOHN H. HERROX. 

The broad ])rairies of lllinuis lia\o fur- 
nished splendid opportunities to the agri- 
culturist and in connection with this busi- 
ness the grain trade has become a leading 
enter[)rise of Illinois. ^Ir. llerron is ex- 
tensively engaged in dealing in grain in 
Sidell and other towns of the state, 
his business having now reached large pro- 
portions and in the control of it lie has dis- 
played excellent capability and discriminat- 
ing judgment. 

A native of Illinois he was born in Mon- 
ticcllo. Piatt county, on the 5th of July, 
t868. His father, \\'illiani (i. Herron, was 
a native of Ohio, born in Madison county, 
near Lnndon, on the ('>th of .\pril. 1829. 
The grandfather, Gardner Herron, was a 
native of Maryland and served as a soldier 
of the war of 18 12. He wedded Maria Mo- 
raine, also a native of .Maryland, and, re- 
moving westward, became one of tlie pioneer 
settlers of Madison county. Ohio, where he 
was engaged in farming until his death, 
which occurred in 1855. William G. Her- 
ron s])ent his youth in Olu'o, being reared 
upon his father's farm in Madison county, 
where he remained until twenty years of age. 
He then came west to Illinois, but for some 
years was connected witli a stock trader in 
driving stock to this state and Ohio and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



25 



Pennsylvania. In 1855 he married Eva- 
line Robinson, also a native of Ohio. They 
began their domestic life in Piatt county, Il- 
linois, where Mr. Herron carried on general 
farming and stock-raising for about five 
years. In i860 he took up his abode in 
Monticello, purchasing an interest in a mer- 
cantile business and was there engaged in 
trade for several years. In 1881 he came to 
Ailerton and in connection with Samuel Al- 
lerton was extensi\ely engaged in farming 
and in the grain and stock business, this re- 
lation being maintained for a long period. 
Mr. Herron is an earnest and stalwart sup- 
porter of the Republican party, acti\'e in the 
local ranks of the party. He was nominated 
for the position of representative in tlie state 
legislature and, being elected by a good ma- 
jority, served for one term in the house with 
considerable distinction. He and his wife 
are devoted Christian people, having long 
held membership in the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and for eighteen years he served as 
superintendent of the Sunday-school of 
Monticello. He is a most effective and earn- 
est Sunday-school worker, his lal:)ors in this 
regard being far-reaching and important. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Herron were born nine 
children, to whom they gave good educa- 
tional privileges, fitting them for life's prac- 
tical duties. Having laid aside business 
cares, the father of our subject is now liv- 
ing a retired life in Sidell in company with 
his wife and they are numbered among the 
most highly esteemed residents of the com- 
munitv. 

John H. Herron of this review came to 
Vermilion county in 1881 with his parents. 
His early education was supplemented by a 
high school course and by two years of 
study in Columbia College of Washington, 
D. C. When he had completed his educa- 



tion he returned to Vermilion county and 
took charge of the elevator and grain busi- 
ness of Samuel W. Ailerton, at Ailerton, Il- 
linois. In 1890 Mr. Ailerton established a 
bank there and for six years our subject 
acted as its manager and cashier. In 1896 
he came to Sidell, where he became a part- 
ner in an extensive grain business, the com- 
pany controlling- the grain trade at nine sta- 
tions and owning and operating" five ele- 
vators. They ha\-e just completed a large 
transfer and grain dqiot at Mount Vernon, 
Illinois, with a capacity of two hundred 
thousand bushels. Mr. Herron has mani- 
fested marked determination, enterprise and 
capability in the control of the branch of the 
business at Sidell and other places and he 
has contributed in no small degree to the suc- 
cess of the company. A man of resource- 
ful business abilitv, his efforts have not 
been limited to one line. He is interested in 
whatever tends to promote public improve- 
ment and progress and advance the welfare 
of the people and Sidell has largely profited 
by his efforts in its behalf. He was one of 
the promoters of tlie electric light plant at 
this place, is one of its largest stockholders 
and is now the manager and secretary of the 
company. He is also the president of the 
Building & Loan Association. 

An important event in the life of Mr. 
Herron occurred in 1893, at which time was 
celebrated his marriage to Miss Florence, a 
daughter of John W. Cathcart, a promin- 
ent business man of Sidell, but after a happy 
married life of six years Mrs. Herron 
passed away in May, 1899, and was laid to 
rest in Woodlawn cemetery at Indianola. 
She left one son, Alexander C, who finds a 
home with his maternal grandparents. 

Aside from business affairs Mr. Herron 
has been a citizen of worth in Sidell and is 



26 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



widely recognized as one of the leaders of 
the Republican party, taking an active in- 
terest in local elections. In 1898 he was 
elected supervisor of Sidell township and has 
since I)een re-elected to the office, in which 
he is now serving. In 1902 he was chosen 
chairman of the county board of supervisors 
in which capacity he is also serving and he 
exercises his official prerogatives in support 
of all measures for the general good. In his 
life he exeniplilies the humanitarian spirit 
upon which the Masonic fraternity is found- 
ed. He belongs to the blue lodge at Sidell 
in which he has filled all of the offices and is 
now serving as master. He is also a mem- 
ber of the Modern Woodmen Camp and i>f 
the Elks Lodge at Danville. A life-long 
resident of Illinois he is deeply interested in 
progress and advancement of the state and 
he has seen much of the growth and develop- 
ment of Vermilion county, being identified 
for a number of years with its institutions, 
its prosperity and its people. He is well 
known thmughout this portion of the state 
as a man of business integrity, of broad and 
liberal views, charitable and public-spirited. 
His salient characteristics are such as 
command respect and confidence in every 
land and every clime and in \'ermilion 
county they have won him many warm 
friends. 



W. T. JOHNSTON. 

W. T. Johnston is a representative of 
tlie Johnston Company, photographers of 
Hoopeston. A young man, enterprising, 
■wide-awake and alert he is thoroughly con- 
versant with the business to which he de- 
votes his energies and has considerable ar- 
tistic talent which, combined with his com- 



prehensive understanding of the principles 
of photography and his capable business 
management, is bringing to him creditable 
and \\ell merited success. He was born in 
Lafayette, Indiana, on the 28th of Septem- 
ber, 1877, and is a son of J. W. Johnston, 
who now resides in Hoopeston and is a trav- 
eling salesman, representing the \V. D. Mes- 
singer Company, of Chicago. In his family 
were four children : \\'. T., of this review ; 
Anna; Thirza and Dell. In the year 1879 
the father removed with his family to Chi- 
cago, where he spent seven years and then 
came to Hoopeston, which i>Iace has since 
been bis home. 

W. T. Johnston of this review was a lad 
of about nine years when brought by his 
parents to Hoopeston, and in the public 
schools here he pursued his education. He 
took up the study of photography in the 
College of riiotography at Effingham, Illi- 
nois, where he remained for nine months 
and then went to Chicago, l^eing in the em- 
ploy of Gibson, a celebrated photographer 
of tliat city, for two months. He was next 
in the eriiploy of Parrett, the president of 
the Indiana State Photographers' Associa- 
tion. On leaving him he came to Hoopes- 
ton .and for six months was in the employ 
of Mr. Schwab, at the end of which time he 
fiurchased his gallcrv, ha\ing been here 
since the ist of May, i8yj. The business 
is now- carried on under the name of The 
John.ston Compan}-, with our subject as 
manager and practical operator. Their pat- 
ronage increased so rapidly that they needed 
more room and bought the E. S. Hall's 
Studio on South Market street, an estab- 
lislied biisiness of twenty-five years. The 
company is to-day the only photographic 
firm in \'ermilion county to own their 
building. >\fr. Johnston has alwavs been 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



27 



deeply interested in photographic work. 
Prior to the time that he embarked in the 
business as a Hfe work he was much inter- 
ested in amateur photography and manipu- 
lated a kodak, and he has to-day become a 
leader in his line in this part of Vermilion 
county, keeping in touch with the marked 
progress and ad\ancement which are being' 
made in the profession. He is thoroughly 
familiar with the latest improvements con- 
cerning the development, printing and fin- 
ishing of pictures, and added to this he has 
an artistic eye Avhich enables him to pose 
his subjects to the l^est advantage to secure 
life-like and natural results. He is a young 
man of unfailing courtesy, genial disposi- 
tion and pleasant manner, and he has won a 
host of friends througliout this locality. All 
who know him esteem him highly for his 
genuine worth and he is very popular in 
social circles. His ]xilitical support is gi\-en 
to the Republican party. 



NORBOURX NEVILLE. 

Norbonrn Xexille. who is engaged in 
the bakery and confectionery business in 
Fairmount, was born in Tippecanoe coun- 
ty. Indiana, September 17, 1847, and is a 
son of George N. and Mary S. (Throck- 
morton) Neville, who were natives of West 
Virginia, and on the paternal side the family 
is of Scotch descent. Unto the parents were 
born twelve children and those now living 
are : Mrs. Anna C. Taylor, of Fairmount ; 
Norbourn ; Mrs. ^Nlary E. Collins, of Catlin ; 
S. v., of Fairmount: Mrs. Ada Calfee, of 
California; and ]\Irs. N. Owen, of Fort 
Smith, Arkansas. Of those who passed 
away Delia died in infancy. George W., 
who enlisted in Company D, Twenty-fifth 



Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was in the serv- 
ice for three years and was wounded in the 
battle of Kenesaw Mountain, his death re- 
sulting from his injuries. Lucy also died 
in infancy. It was in the year 1854 that the 
father of this family came to Vermilion 
county accompanied by his wife and chil- 
dre!i. Upon arriving here he purchased the 
north half of section 10, Vance township, 
and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers 
finding that everything around was new and 
wild, the land unbroken and the grass so 
high that when a boy our subject climbed 
upon a cabin in order to see where the cat- 
tle wer'e. The father first purchased an old 
log schoolhouse that stood on the Sandusky 
place, and lived in it for a year, after which 
he built a more substantial house, con- 
structing it from lumber hauled from Cov- 
ington, Indiana. Mr. Neville of this review 
has witnessed the development of the county 
from a wild condition when there was not 
a fence for miles upon the prairie, to its 
present state of progress and improvement. 
The father continued his farm work devot- 
ing to the cultivation of the fields his time 
and attention also engaging in the raising 
of stock, until about 1885, when he retired 
to Fairmount and put aside business cares. 
Fiis wife passed away .\ugust, 1889, and he 
died about sixteen months later, on the 8th 
oi January, 1801, at the age of se^•enty- 
one, his birtli having. occurred on the 2d of 
February, 1820. 

The ancestiy of Mr. Neville is traced 
back to the land of the thistle, his paternal 
grandparents emigrating from Scotland to 
Virginia in time for his great-grandfather, 
Joseph Neville, to take part in the Revolu- 
tionary war as a brigadier general. Un- 
like many of those who crossed the Atlan- 
tic at that time, he came fortified with am- 
ple means, which he invested largely in 



2S 



\ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



lands, comprising a valuable plantation, 
worked by slaves whom he liberated at the 
time of his death. Among the sons of Gen- 
eral Neville was George, the grandfatV.er of 
our subject, who was the youngest of a fam- 
ily of twelve children. He studied law at 
Winchester,' Virginia, under Ahram Lock, 
was admitted to the bar and tried one case, 
but then ga\e up the law for medicine, 
which he followed throughout life. He 
married Elizabeth Wolfe, of Winchester, 
Virginia, who was a daughter of Lewis and 
Catherine Wolfe, natives of Germany. 
George N. Neville, father of our subject, 
was one of seven children born to Dr. 
George and Catherine Neville. 

Norbourn Neville was the fourth child in 
his father's family and was reared and edu- 
cated in Vermilion county, working on the 
farm during the summer nn^ulhs while in 
the winter seasons he attended school. He 
remained at home until he was seventeen 
years of age and then offered his services to 
the government, enlisting in Company K, 
One Hundred and Thirty-third Illinois In- 
fantry, in 1864, under Colonel Phillips and 
Captain Somers. He served for five months, 
having been mustered in for one hundred 
days, and was then honorably discharged. 
After leaving home Mr. Neville rented a 
farm for a few years and then purchased a 
small tract of land, devoting his energies 
to general farming and stock-raising. 
Throughout his entire life he has been iden- 
tified with agricultural pursuits and he now 
owns one hundred acres in Vance township 
well improved and tilled, and supplied with 
good buildings. In 1901 he embarked in the 
bakery and confectionery business at Fair- 
moimt and having the onh^ exclusive bak- 
ery in the town he is enjdying an e.xtensive 
trade. 



In .September, 1870, Mr. Neville was 
united in marriage in this county to Miss 
Elizabeth J. Price, a daughter of John and 
Mary E. (Perritt) Price, who were pioneers 
of X'ermilion county. Mrs. Neville was 
horn in Fayette county, Ohio, October 31, 
1850, and was the eldest child of her par- 
ents. She has no children of her own but 
has reared an adopted son, William F. Nev- 
ille, who is a graduate of the Fairmount 
school and also completed a business course 
in (juincy, Illinois. He now assists his fa- 
ther in the store. He was married Janu- 
ary 25. 1902, to Miss Edna Cox, who was 
bom September 12, 1883, a daughter of J. 
A. Cox. They have one daughter, Eliza- 
beth Neville, a bright little girl born June 
30. iqo2. Mr. Neville of this review is a 
Republican in his political affiliations, be- 
]ie\'ing firmly in the principles of the par- 
ty. \\ hich he endorses by his ballot. He has 
never been an office seeker, however, pre- 
ferring to give his time and attention to his 
business affairs in which he has met with 
signal success. 



DR. WALTER DWIGGINS. 

Dr. Walter Dwiggins, who is now so 
successfully engaged in the practice of os- 
teopathy in Danville, was born in Waytown, 
Indiana, July 17, 1874, his parents being 
John C. and Susannah (Fonts) Dwiggins, 
a sketch of whom appears on another page 
of this volume. They were married in In- 
diana, where the father was engaged in busi- 
ness as a stock dealer until failing health 
caused his retirement and he removed to 
Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1889. In 
March, 1901, he came to Danville, where he 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



29 



now makes his home, enjoying a well earned 
rest, free from the cares and responsibilities 
of business life. In his political affiliations 
he is a Republican. He is the father of four 
sons but one died in infanc}'. The others 
are Howard, a resident of Danville and the 
secretary of the shoe factory at Gibson City, 
Illinois; Charles, a grain dealer of New- 
port, Indiana; and Walter. 

The Doctor acquired his early education 
in the public schools of Craw fords ville, In- 
diana, and later attended the public schools 
of Selma, Kansas, and Rossville, Illinois, 
graduating at the high school in the latter 
place in 1893. Later he matriculated at the 
American School of Osteopathy, where he 
was graduated in 1900. He first opened an 
office at Terre Haute, Indiana, but at the 
end of two months he came to Danville 
and has since engaged in practice at this 
place with most gratifying success, having 
a nice olTice in the Temple block. He thor- 
oughly understands his chosen profession 
and although his residence here has been of 
short duration he has already secured a lib- 
eral patronage which is constantly increas- 
ing. Fraternally he is an honored member 
of Lodge, No. 527, F. & A. M., and Ver- 
milion Lodge, No. 432, K. P., both of Ross- 
ville, and politically he is identified with the 
Republican party. 



WALLACE SPERRY. 

Among the native sons of Vermilion 
county still living Avithin its borders, is 
Wallace Sperry, the popular and efficient 
postmaster of Muncie. He was bnrn Oc- 
tober 23. 1 841, and is a son of Erastus and 



Ruth (Reese) Sperry, the former a native 
of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. Their 
marriage, however, was celebrated in Ver- 
milion county, Illinois. The paternal grand- 
father of our subject was Wallace Sperry, 
who came to this count}' in the early '30s 
and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers. 
He took a very active part in the work of 
early development and improvement. Both 
he and his son Erastus were farmers by 
occupation and were Whigs in political 
faith. They were also members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church and were ac- 
counted representative men of this locality. 
The father of our subject died in 1852, and 
the mother, still surviving, makes her home 
in Potomac, Illinois. In their family were 
three children, the eldest being Wallace 
Sperry of this sketch. Arminda is the wife 
of John W. Goodwine of Potomac; and 
Amanda is the wife of Samuel B. Demude, 
also of Potomac. 

Wallace Sperry pursued his education 
in the district schools at Higginsville, Ver- 
milion county, and at the age of fifteen put 
aside his text books, after which his time 
and energies were devoted to farm work, 
in the employ of others until he had at- 
tained his majority. He then began farm- 
ing on his own account, leasing his mother's 
land. He was married on the 26th of Sep- 
tember, 1872, in Blount township to Miss 
]\Iary Bloomfield, whose birth occurred in 
this county on the ist of January, 1854. 
The lady is a daughter of Reuben Bloom- 
field, who here engaged in farming and who 
exercised his right of franchise in support 
of the men and measures of the Republican 
party. Lie died in 1873, while his wife 
passed away in 1890. In their family were 
four children : William, who is now de- 



30 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ceased, wliile his widuw resides in Mis- 
souri ; Cindrella, the deceased wife of J. 
C. Tevebaugh, a resident of Danville; 
Mary, the wife of our subject; and Samuel, 
who has also passed away. Tlie home of 
Mr. and Mrs. Sperry was blessed with four 
children, but they lost the first three. 
Charles, their first born, having died at the 
age of eight years, while the next two died 
in infancy. Minnie, the surviving child, i^ 
now the wife of Orrie Dalbey, of Muncie, 
and they now have one child, a daughter, 
one and one-half years old. 

Mr. Sperry carried on farming opera- 
tions until 1882, when he abandoned the 
plow and turned his attention to merchan- 
dising in Higginsville, remaining there for 
one year. He then went to Blue Grass, 
Vermiliiin county, where he conducted a 
similar business for three years and on the 
expiration of that period he arrived in Mun- 
cie, where he opened a general store that 
he has since conducted, a growing trade 
prming the confidence reposed in him by 
the ptiblic. In 1897 he was appointed post- 
master and holds that position at the pres- 
ent time. In politics he is a Republican and 
at one time was town clerk. Here he be- 
longs to the Christian church and in all 
life's relations is found true to duty and 
loyal to trust and confidence reposed in him. 



J. S. McFERREN. 

I^rominent among the energetic, far- 
seeing and successful business men of east- 
ern Illiudis is the subject of this sketch. His 
life history most happily illustrates what 
may be attained by faithful and continued 
efifort in carrying out an honest purpose. 



Integrity, activity and energy have been the 
crowning points of his success and his con- 
nection with various enterprises and indus- 
tries have been a decided advantage to this 
section of Illinois, promoting its material 
welfare in no uncertain maimer. But not 
only has Hoopeston profited by his labors 
and his ability : many districts of the south 
have received an impetus to growth and com- 
mercial development through his efforts and 
his life-work has had a wide scope and been 
far-reaching in its infiuence. 

Mr. McFerren was born in \\' arren coun- 
ty, Ohio, in 1846, a son of William M. and 
Eliza (Sn}-der) ^IcFerren. The father, a 
native of South Carolina, died in 1894, but 
the mother, whose birth occurred in Ohio, is 
now living in Hoopeston. In their family 
were two daughters : Alvira B., the wife of 
Ed Griftith, cashier of the First Natidnal 
Bank; and Mrs. Mary Hewey of Hoopeston; 
while the brother of our stibject is Pingree 
IMcFerren. 

\Mien a young man of twenty-five years 
J. S. }iIcFerren sought a more western dis- 
trict than that in which he had been reared, 
as a field of business activity, realizing that 
the new but rapidly developing sections of 
the country offered the best opportunities to 
the ambitious young man. .Accordingly he 
came to Hoopeston in 1871 and from that 
date to the present the town has been largely 
indebted to him for its promotion. Not only 
in Ijusiness matters, Init as its chief executive 
and as a private citizen has he labored for 
her welfare, interested in all that has pro- 
moted advancement along material, social, 
intellectual and moral lines. At the same 
time he has controlled business affairs of 
magnitude. He first became associated with 
T. \V. Chamberlin in 1882 in fdunding a 
pri\'ale bank in Hoopestdti and later, pur- 





^^^^-^^»-^ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



35 



chasing his partner's interest, he has since 
been its president and owner and has made 
the institutions one of the most rehable fin- 
ancial concerns in this part of the state. It 
would be impossible to give in detail the his- 
tory of his achievements but mention of 
some of his business interests will serve to 
show the scope of his undertakings and to 
indicate the ability which has enabled him to 
successfully handle S(3 many and so varied 
interests. He to-day individually owns 
thirty-four hundred acres of land near 
Hoopeston. He became a member of the 
real estate firm of Moore, ^IcFerren & Sea- 
vey, whose real estate operations through the 
year following March, 1874, amounted to 
three hundred and thirty thousand dollars. 
Mr. Seavey having witlulrawn from the part- 
nership the firm of Moore & ]McFerren still 
exists and has large landed interests in the 
south, scattered in the states of Mississippi, 
Arkansas and Tennessee. These comprise 
twenty-seven thousand acres and represent 
six hundred thousand dollars of invested 
capital, for the firm has largely improved 
their lands, have established industries there- 
on and have secured transportation facilities 
through the binlding of railroads. Their 
landed possessions in Arkansas comprise 
thirty thousand acres and they are now con- 
structing twenty miles of railroad from Lux- 
ora, Arkansas, to Big Lake, called the Mis- 
sissippi, Big Lake & Western Railroad. 
This will furnish an outlet for their lumber 
and will also be a part of tlie trunk line form 
Joplin, Missouri, to the Mississippi river. 
Their sawmill at Luxora has a capacity of 
thirty thousand feet of lumber daily and in 
connection with Mr. Moore our subject also 
owns a sawmill at Pitman's Island and an- 
other at Woodstock, ^Mississippi, each hav- 
ing a capacity of twenty-five thousand feet 
per day, while three other sawmills which 



they own turn out twenty thousand feet of 
lumber each per day. Their most extensive 
lumber industry, however, is located at 
Memphis, Tennessee, where they have a dou- 
ble-band sawmill, with a capacity of fifty 
thousand feet per day, and the plant was 
erected at a cost of seventy-five thousand 
dollars. They also have a. large box fac- 
tory at ^Memphis. ]\Ir. ^McFerren was 
one of the founders of the Union Tin 
Can Company and since it has been 
merged in the American Tin Can Com- 
pany he is still a stockholder. In con- 
nection with A. H. Trego he owns and oper- 
ates the Hoopeston Canning Factory, which 
is engaged in the canning of corn exclusively. 
His- property values in Hoopeston real estate 
amount to two hundred thousand dollars 
and include the bank block, office buildings, 
the opera house block, store buildings and 
other structures. 

Mr. McFerren was Hoopeston's first 
mayor nor was that his only term in the 
office, for several times has he been chosen to 
the position. During his first incumbency 
he drove the saloons out of the village and 
there has never been a saloon since the town 
was incorporated. He is now the chief ex- 
ecutive of Hoopeston, honored and honor- 
able, putting forth strong effort for the good 
of the community and its substantial im- 
provement. Much of the street paving has 
been done while he has been in office and 
many improvements have been made during' 
his administrations. Chiuxhes and benevo- 
lent enterprises have received his support 
and his aid is witheld from no enterprise for 
the general good. 

Mr. McFerren has been twice married. 
He first wedded Miss Lida A. Shultz, who 
died in 1894 leaving two sons. \\^illiam and 
Donald. In 1807 Mr. McFerren Lottie L. 
Shultz, a sister of his first wife. His present 



34 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



liome, erected in 1S85, has been improved 
until it is now a handsome property wortli 
twenty-five thousand dollars. 

Mr. McFerren gave evidence of his love 
for Hoopeston by his generous gift to the 
city of a fine park. For this purpose he pur- 
chased the old fair grounds of thirty acres, 
at a cost of six thousand dollars, and tender- 
ing this to the city, it has since been main- 
tained as a park. Mr. McFerren has also 
made liberal donations to the public library 
and to other concerns of public benefit and 
pride. His name is synonymous with im- 
provement and progress in Hoopeston and is 
so interwoven with the history of the city 
that it forms a most important chapter in the 
annals of Hoopeston. He stands as the 
highest type of American citizenship, capable 
and discriminating in business, patriotic and 
loyal in citizenship and with conscientious 
regard for the rights and privileges of his 
fellowmen. Socially he is deservedly popu- 
lar, as he is affable and courteous in manner 
and possesses the quality of making friends 
readily and of strenghtening the ties of all 
friendships as time advances. 



JOHN R. SMITH. 

The life history of John R. Smith is one 
which shows a career of enterprise and busi- 
ness activity crowned with deserved rest. 
He is now living retired in Rossville after 
years of close application to agricultural in- 
terests. He is a native son of Vermilion 
countv, his birth having occurred March i, 
1836. where Fithian station now stands. 
He is a son of William \V. Smith, a native 
of Clark county, Ohio, born alxjut 1800. 
His paternal grandfather was one of the 
first settlers of that county and there W. \\'. 
Smith was reared and after arriving at 



years of maturity married Catherine Yazel, 
also a native of Clark county. They began 
their domestic life upon a farm and a daugh- 
ter was born unto them ere their removal to 
Illinois in the year 1830. Emigrating west- 
ward they settled in \ennilion county, Mr. 
Sirith entering and purchasing land until he 
became the owner of one thousand acres in 
the western part of this county. Much of 
this he broke and improved, opening up a 
good farm, upon which he spent his re- 
maining days, his death occurring in 1S51. 
His first wife died in 1845 and he after- 
ward married again. 

John R. Smith was the fourth in order 
of birth in a family of four sons and a 
daughter and all reached mature years with 
tlie exception of the youngest son, although 
John R. and his brother \\'illiam are the 
only ones now living. After the death of 
his father our subject resided with his broth- 
er-in-law. Thomas Armstrong, who lived 
near Rossville. There he remained for fixe 
years, assisting in the farm work. He had 
fair common-school advantages, supple- 
mental b}' a term of study in the Danville 
hi.gh school and one term in Knox College. 
When he had reached man's estate he joined 
a brother at (irand View and acted as a clerk 
for him for two years in a general store. 
\\'hile there he returned to Rossville and 
was married here on the 3d of IMarch, 1839, 
to Josephine R. Stewart, who was born in 
Dan\'ille and was reare<l upon the farm 
xxliere her marriage was celebrated. Her 
father. James R. Stewart, was a pioneer set- 
tler of Dainille, representing one of the pio- 
neer families that came from Connecticut 
to A'ermilion county. He opened up a farm 
which is now within the corporation limits 
of R(ws\-ille and became an inlluential and 
representative agriculturist of the comnui- 
nity. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



35 



After his marriage Mr. Smith engaged 
in conducting a hotel in Rossville for three 
years, after A\'hicli he spent a similar period 
•in agricultural pursuits. He then returned 
to the town and established a grocery store, 
•which he conducted for twenty-three years. 
During three }'ears of that time he was also 
engaged in buying and shipping stock and 
both branches of the business proved profit- 
able. He had a well selected line of gro- 
ceries always on hand and his straightfor- 
ward business dealing, his earnest desire to 
please his patrons and his enterprise brought 
to him well merited success. In course of 
time he had accumulated a handsome com- 
petence which now enables him to live re- 
tired. He built a large, neat residence on 
a part of the old Stewart farm and with his 
family has occupied this for a quarter of a 
century. 

In January, 1885, Mr. Smith was called 
upon to mourn the death of his wife. 
There were four sons and a daughter by this 
union: Ellen Minerva, the wife of George 
S. Smith, who is living retired in Rossville 
and by whom she has one son, Jean, who 
was born in 1889; Alfred F., a farmer of 
Los A.ngeles, California; Herbert Y., who 
became his father's successor in the gro- 
cery store in Rossville and is married and 
has a daughter, Helen; Jesse R., who occu- 
pies a position in Rossville; and Dick, of 
this city. In Potomac, Vermilion county, 
on the 26th of June, 1889, Mr. Smith was 
united in marriage to Mrs. Sarah J. Par- 
low, a widow. She was born in this state 
and is a daughter of James Duncan, who 
came from Kentucky to Vermilion county at 
an early day. 

Mr. Smith is unwavering in his allegi- 
ance to the Republican party, which he has 
supported since he cast his first presiden- 
tia.1 vote for Abraham Lincoln in i860. The 



honors and emoluments of otifice have had 
no attraction for him as he has preferred to 
give his time and attention to his business 
affairs. He has served, however, as con- 
stable and deputy sheriff and is now filling 
the office of assistant supervisor. His en- 
tire life has been passed in Vermilion coun- 
ty and he has witnessed the wonderful 
growth and development of this portion of 
the state. He has seen great flocks of wild 
geese and other wild game and also herds 
of deer in this locality. Much of the land 
was sn'ampy and unfit for cultivation, but 
it has been drained and placed under a high 
state of impro\'ement. Roads have also been 
laid out, homes built and farms developed 
and thus the work of progress has been 
steadily carried forward both in the city 
and in the country until now one of the rich- 
est sections of Illinois is that comprised 
within the limits of Vermilion county. ^Ir. 
Smith takes a just pride in what has been 
accomplished and in his community has ever 
borne his part in the work of advancement. 



JOHN W. FISHER. 

John W. Fisher has lived a life in har- 
mony with the laws of nature. It certainly 
seems that man was intended to enjoy a sea- 
son of rest after years of active labor. In 
youth one is possessed of great energy, 
bright hopes and strong determination and 
in more mature years these are guided by 
judgment and experience. Through this 
period of early and more mature manhood 
there is ample opportunity, if one rightly 
directs his energies, to gain a competence 
for the evening of life and while Mr. 
Fisher is still in the prime of life he has so 
guided his efforts that he is now enabled to 



36 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



live retired in tlie enjoyment of the fruits of 
his former toil. Having always made his 
home in Vermilion county where he has 
gained a wide acquaintance, his life record 
cannot fail to prove of interest to many of 
our readers. He was born January 25, 
1840, in Carroll township, on the old Fisher 
homestead which he now numbers among 
his possessions. His father, David Fisher, 
was one of the pioneers of this county who 
located here ^^■hen the prairies were largely 
uncultivated and when there was stilTmuch 
^vild game; wolves and other wild animals 
were also frequently seen and the conditions 
were those of a frontier settlement. 

David Fisher was born in Brown coun- 
ty, Ohio, in 1809, and his parents, William 
and Cynthia (Watt) Fisher, were natives of 
Pennsylvania, the former of German pa- 
rentage and the latter of Irish lineage. They 
removed from the Keystone state to Ohio 
at an early day and afterward located in 
Rockville, Indiana, where they were pioneer 
settlers. There they live<l luitil called to the 
home beyond. \\'hen a young man David 
Fisher accompanied his parents to Park 
county, Indiana, remaining at home with 
them tlu'ough the period of his minority 
In 1832 he came to Vermilion county, Illi- 
nois, where he secured a tract of land 
from the government and engaged in farm- 
ing. Ha\ing thus made preparations for a 
home of his own he was married in 1833 to 
Miss Jane Weaver, a daughter of ^licliael 
\A'eaver. Thmughout his entire life he de 
voted his energies to agricultural pursuits. 
The first home to which he took his liride 
was a log cabin with a puncheon floor, a 
mud chimney and ;i Inige fireplace, l)ut as 
the years passed his labors enabled him to 
surround his family with the comforts and 
conveniences of modern life ami he became 



well-to-do. L'nto Mr. and Mrs. I'isher 
were born five children : Michael, who is 
engaged in the hardware business in Indian- 
ola and is mentioned elsewhere in this vol- 
ume; John \\"., who is living retired in In- 
dianola; ]\Iary Jane, the deceased wife of 
Alonzo Hill; George W., a resident of Ne- 
braska; and Lucinda, the wife of L. C. 
Green, of Sheridan, Wyoming. The pa- 
rents were members of of the Baptist 
church and in politics Air. Fisher was a 
Democrat, but never sought or desired of- 
fice. He died upon the old home farm in 
Carroll township, lacking but one day of 
reaching his seventy-second year. His life 
was pas.se(l in the quiet pursuits of the farm, 
and all who knew him respected him for his 
genuine worth while his enterprise and un- 
tiring labor brought to him creditable and 
gratifying success. 

John W. Fisher was educated in the 
primiti\-e schools of his day. pursuing his 
studies in a log building which stood on the 
banks of the Swanks creek. His first teach- 
er was ;i man who liberally used the rod in 
maintaining discipline, but was also a 
capable instructor. Mr. h'isher had the 
privilege of attending for only about three 
months each year and during the remainder 
of the time he was busily engaged in farm 
work. However, he thus pursued his 
studies at inter\-als until about seventeen 
or eighteen years of age. Life has, how- 
ever liecn to him a school in which he has 
learned many valuable lessons, his reading 
and ex])erience largely liroadening his 
knowledge. 

On the 1 2th of September, 1861, at the 
age of twenty years, John W. Fisher was 
united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Dye, a 
native of Kentucky and a daughter of Law- 
rence and Mary Ann (Van Tries) Dye. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



37 



. The father was a native of Bourbon county. 
Kentucky, where the family was estabhshed 
at an early clay. He was married there and 
all of his children were born in that locality 
with the exception of one. In 1841 he came 
with his family in a covered wagon to Ver- 
milion county, settling in Georgetown, 
which was then a small village. He farmed 
in Ehvood township and lived to be seventy- 
one years of age. while his wife reached the 
age of- about sixty years. Of their eight 
children five are now living, namely : Mar- 
tha, the wife of John Jones, who resides 
near Georgetown ; Elizabeth, the wife of 
Da\id Sconce, of Indiana ; Angeline, the 
wife of David McDonald, w^ho resides near 
Catlin, Illinois; Mrs. Fisher; and Blanche 
the wife of Joel Cooper, of Oakland, thi^ 
state. Those who have passed away are 
Hiram, Mrs. Phoebe Jones and John. 

In 1859 Mr. Fisher went to Kansas an 
engaged in farming near Emporia, but tir- 
ing of that country he returned and rented 
a farm of his father, also purchasing forty 
acres of land from him. At the time of his 
marriage he removed into a little log house 
that James Branham had built on a forty- 
acre tract. It was a two roomed cabin, 
unsealed, and it remained their home for a 
cou])le of years, when Mr. Fisher purchased 
another house and moved it to his place. 
As time passed and his financial resources 
increased he added to his farm until he now 
has twelve hundred acres in Vermilion 
county and also owns three hundred and 
sixty acres near Monroe City, Missouri, for 
"which he paid nineteen thousand eight hun- 
dred dollars. When upon the farm he de- 
voted the greater part of his attention to 
stock raising, making a specialty of beef 
cattle which he sold at good prices in tiie city 
markets. There has been nothins' sensa- 



tional in his career. He worked along le- 
gitimate business lines, earning his compe- 
tency through persistent purpose and marked 
energy. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher was 
blessed with eight children. Charles, who 
resides in Iowa and owns farms in both 
Carroll and Greene counties, married Jennie 
Myers, by whom he has se\'en children : 
John Austin, Nellie, Leiia, Charles, Everett, 
Maude and Dean. Edward, who is still liv- 
ing in Indianola and is a farmer of Carroll 
township wedded Ida Maddox and has two 
daughters, Eva Dell and Gertrude Gail. 
Armada is the wife of Douglas Miller, a 
farmer of Carroll township and has three 
chiklren : Winona, Delmar and Everett. 
Jose])hine is the wife of Frank Carter, of In- 
dianola and has two daughters, Helen and 
Mabel. Jacob G., a graduate of the Rush 
Medical College of Chicago and now a 
practicing physician of Catlin, Illinois, mar- 
ried Jessie Matkins. The three children of 
the Fisher family who have passed away 
are Everett, Olive and Mattie, all of whom 
died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are 
consistent members of the Presbyterian 
church and people of the highest respecta- 
bility. In politics he is independent, voting 
for the candidates whom he regards as best 
qualified for office without giving attention 
to party lines. Upon his home he erected a 
large fine residence and his place is one of 
the best improved in eastern Illinois, in fact 
it is a splendid property. The large and 
commodious buildings are surrounded by 
well tilled fields and rich pastures in which 
are seen fine grades of stock. In 1897, 
however, Mr. Fisher purchased town prop- 
erty and removed to Indianola, where he 
is now living in retirement from further 
business cares. The countv as he \iews it 



38 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



to-day linle resembles the district in which 
he was reared, for turkeys, prairie chickens 
and otlier wild game were abundant and 
deer were still seen, wolves were often 
killed by the settlers and all this indicated 
the unsettled condition of the countr)', but 
as time passed the land was reclaimed for 
the use of the white race and in this great 
country there is no richer farming district 
than that of eastern Illinois. 'Sir. Insher 
may take pride in the fact that he has been 
identified with its development and he cer- 
tainly deserves great credit for what he has 
accomplished in the business world. 



THOMAS FRANCIS CHRISTMAN. 

Thomas Francis Christman, cashier of 
the Commercial Trust & Savings Bank of 
Danville, was born June 7, 1858, in Warren 
county, Indiana. He is a son of Isaac and 
Elizabeth (Gundy) Christman. natives of 
Ohio, and on the maternal side the ancestry 
can be traced back to Jacob Gundy, the great 
grandfather, who was a soldier of the Revo- 
lutionary war. Emigrating westward, he 
became a resident of Vermilion county at 
an early date, settling upon the north fork 
near the old town of Myersville. The grand- 
father, Joseph Gundy, was a charter member 
of the ^lasonic Order of Danville. By oc- 
cupation he was a farmer and stockraiser, 
being connected with agricultural pursuits 
in this county at a very early day. The 
father of otir subject was taken by his par- 
ents to western Indiana when four years of 
age and was reared in \'crmilif>n county. 
He, too, became a farmer by occupation and 
established his home in Ross township, 
where he carried on farming for three years. 



He then returned to Indiana, where he re- 
mained for several years and then again came 
to Vermilion county, Illinois, where he re- 
suined farming. He is now living a re- 
tired life, making his home in Rossville ai 
the age of eighty years, his birth having oc- 
curred in January, 1823. His wife, who 
was born in the same year, passed away in 
1882. They were the parents of nine chil- 
dren, of whom Thomas F. is the seventh 
in order of birth. 

In the district schools of Indiana and 
\'ermillion county Thomas I'rancis Christ- 
man pursued his education, continuing his 
studies until nineteen years of age. Througli- 
out the greater part of his business career 
he has followed farming, sa\-e for a brief 
inter\-al of a year or two that he was en- 
gaged in clerking. When he first came tc 
Vermilion county he purchased land in part- 
nership with his brother, and together they 
owned about two sections, but eventuallv ^Ir. 
Christman of this review sold to his brother. 
He then became cashier of the Commercial 
Trust & Savings Bank, which is capitalized 
for one hundred thousand dollars. He is 
now a leading, reliable and respected repre- 
sentative of the banking interests of this 
part of the state, thoroughly undersands 
banking business and methods in every de- 
tail, and has contributed in no small degree 
to the successful control of the institution 
with which he is connected. 

In 1900 Mr. Christman was united in 
marriage to Miss Anna Broody, of Will- 
iamsport, Indiana, and they have many warm 
friends in Danville, whore their own home 
is justly noted for its hospitality and socia- 
bility. I\Irs. Christman is a daughter of 
Thomas Broody, in whose family were six 
children. Mr. Christman is a member of 
the Masonic Lodge of Rossville and in poli- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



41 



tics he is a stalwart Republican. He needs 
no special introduction to the readers of this 
volume, because almost his entire life has 
been passed in this locality and his history 
is largely familiar to those who know him. 
Without ostentation or undue display of his 
good qualities he has commanded the re- 
spect and confidence of his fellow men by 
reason of his sterling worth and is to-da} 
a leading and honored representative of busi- 
ness interests of Danville. 



JOSEPH CUNNINGHAM. 

Joseph Cunningham made his advent 
into Vermilion county in a "prairie schoon- 
er." People of the present century can 
scarcely realize the struggles and dangers 
which attended the early settlers, the hero- 
ism and self sacrifice of lives passed upon the 
borders of civilization, the hardships en- 
dured, the difficulties overcome. These tales 
of the early days read almost like a romance 
to those who have known only the modern 
prosperity and conveniences. To the pioneer 
of the early days, far remo\-ed from the 
privileges and conveniences of city and 
town, the struggle for existence was a stern 
and hard one, and these men and women 
must have possessed indomitable energies 
and sterling worth of character, as well as 
marked physical courage, when they thus 
voluntarily selected such a life and success- 
fully fought its battles under such circum- 
stances as prevailed in the Mississippi valley 
at the time the Cunningham family was 
here established. Few indeed are the resi- 
dents of Vermilion county who can relate 
tales of the pioneer days in which thev were 
participants, but this Mr. Cunningham can 



do and his reminisences are very interesting. 
He was born in Cynthiatown, Harrison 
county, Kentucky, February 27, 1828, a son 
of William and Mary (Humes) Cunning- 
ham. The father was born in Pennsylvanir 
about 1778 and died in \'ermilion county, 
May II, 1852, while his wife, a native of the 
Keystone state, has also passed away. They 
were married in Pennsyl\-ania and after Ii\- 
ing for a time in Kentucky they came to 
Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1829, when 
our subject was a year and a half old. They 
settled on the prairie in Newell township at 
what was known as the Cunningham grove. 
There were no railroads and the family trav- 
eled in a prairie schooner, tlrawn by oxen, 
much time being consumed in making the 
trip. In the family were twelve children, 
Christine, eldest, was married and had three 
children — Squire, Alfred and Margaret, 
who became the wife of Joe Osborne. John, 
the second of the family, married Nancy 
Lindse>% and their children were : William 
David, deceased ; Mary Jane, wife of David 
Clapp; John L., who married Hannah 
Swisher, wdio after his death became Mrs. 
Hannah Justus and is now a widow ; George 
Washington, who lost his right arm while 
fighting for the Union ; Emily, wife of I\Iike 
Fury; and Sarah, who married Philo Knapp. 
After the death of his first wife John Cun- 
ningham married Elizabeth French and they 
had four children : Thomas, who married 
Maria Lane; Samantha, wife of Jefif Al- 
lison ; Humphrey, who married Josephine 
Campbell ; and Perry, who married Lou 
Duncan. James Cunningham, the third 
member of the family of ^Villiam and Mary 
Cunningham, wedded ]\Iary Ann Andrews 
and their children were : Hannah C, wife 
of John Allison; A. F., who married Polly 
Ann Lockhart ; William O., whose first wife 



42 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



was Mattie Cliancller and his present wife 
Etta Clem; and James A., who married 
Anna Whoops. Xancy Cunningliam. tiie 
fourth cliild. Ijecame the wife of W'ilhan- 
Barger and liad two cliildren. John and 
AVilliam. Isaac was the next of the family. 
Washington, the sixth, was drowned in 
North l'"ork. Thomas married Jane Ann 
Starr and iiad one child, Mary, wife of Xoah 
Young. William liecame a cripple at the 
age of fifteen. Malinda, the ninth, married 
W. R. Chandler and had five children : 
Mary, who became the wife of Lew Young, 
while her present liusband is Andy Claypool : 
Emma, wife of K. Hoo\'er, of Dakota; Rose, 
wife of Howard Hicks; Josephus Chand- 
ler, deceased: and Ella, deceased, wife of 
Howard Hicks, who since her death has 
married her sister Rose. Joseph Cunning- 
ham, whose name heads this sketch, was the 
tenth in tlic father's family. After the ar- 
rival of the family in this county two more 
chilflren were born. Humes married Eliza- 
beth Winning rmd has a son, William, who 
wedded Ora .\lbright and has three chil- 
dren — Thomas. Oren and Willard. Jarrett. 
the youngest of the family, died in the army 
at Nasln-ille. Tennessee. 

Joseph Cunningham is the only sm^vivor 
of his father's family. He shared with the 
others in the hardships as well ;is the pleas- 
tires of ])ioncer life. He was educated in 
a subscription school, his first teacher being 
James Da\-is. who taught in a log school- 
house furnished with slab benches. Mr. Cun- 
ningham first plowed with two horses hitched 
to a plow with a wooden mold board. The 
second plow was a single-shovel affair and 
he cut grain with a sickle. The first trad- 
ing point of the family after their arrival 
here was Chicago, wdiere groceries were 
given in exchange for the farm products 



and Mr. Cunningham frequently drove 
oxen to tiiat village. The old homestead 
was on section 1 1 . Newell township. He 
has worked in the snow up to his boot 
lops, making fences out of rails cut in the 
timber. The country was filled with ])rairie 
wohes and there were also many black tim- 
ber wolves and wild games of all kinds, 
including deer. It was necessary to pen 
up the domestic animals at night for their 
protection. It is impossible for the citi- 
zen of Vermilion county to-day to realize 
what were the bardshi])s and trials endured, 
in those early times, when this district was 
cut ofi^ from the comforts of the older east 
and when the settlers had to depend upon 
what they could raise on the farms for near- 
ly ex'erything which they enjoyed. Our sul)- 
ject began farming on his own account in 
1S49 and for forty-seven years \v;is irlenti- 
fied with agricultural pursuits and stock 
raising in this locality. He has shipped 
many car loads of cattle to the Chicago 
market and sold hundred of car loads of 
grain. On the 15th of October. . 1863, he 
suffered loss by fire, which destroyed his 
frame house, but with characteristic energy' 
he began to build a larger and better home, 
erecting a two-story brick residence twen- 
tv-six by thirty-six feet, which was ready 
for occupancy on the i^tli of December 
and still stands rm the home farm. In 
1878 he built a barn, thirty-six by forty 
feet, and erected other substantial and com- 
modious buildings, making' bis a model 
farm. The corn crop usually yields about 
fiftv Inisbels to the acre and oats thirty- 
eight liushels. 

Joseph Cunningham was united in lu.ar- 
riage to Mary A. Swisher, wdio died .\pril 
5. 1902. after a long and happy married 
life. In their familv were nine children : 





<uL^<LC/:i^Ciy 




^f^^t^t^ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



45 



Mary E. died when about twelve years of 
age. Cleantha became the wife of Zack 
Starr, and died leaving three children, Effa, 
Irvin and Arthur. INIalinda is deceased. 
John I. married Ella Bentley and they have 
three children : Forrest, Harry and Stirling. 
Nora is the wife of Erson French : Will- 
iam L. has also passed away. Edward mar- 
ried Anna Clem. Ida M. is the wife of 
C B. Jackson and they have one child. 
Helen L. and Joseph S.. who married 
Grace Leonard, is a practicing physiciar 
of Danville. They have a son, bom No- 
vember 7, 1902. ]\Irs. Cunningham, the 
mother, was born in Veimiilion county. 
March 28, 1832, and on the 5th of April, 
1849, gave her hand in marriage to our 
subject. She was the eldest in a family 
of eight children born unto Louis and Eliz- 
abeth (Starr) Swisher, who came to \^er- 
milion county in company with the Cun- 
ningham and Chandler families. 

In public affairs Joseph Cunningham 
has been very prominent and influential. He 
has served in every township office with 
the exception of that of justice of the peace 
and supervisor and his labors to promote 
the public welfare have been far-reaching 
and beneficial. He helped to build the 
Walnut Corners church and has done much 
to promote the moral welfare of the com- 
munity. The first services of the Christian 
church in this county were held in his 
father's log cabin. Mr. and Mrs. Cun- 
ningham became consistent members of that 
church, to which their children also belong. 
All the children are still living in Newell 
township with the exception of Ida. For 
a number of years ]\Ir. Cunningham served 
either as a deacon or elder of his church 
and was also one of its trustees. In 1896 
he retired to private life, putting aside all 



business cares, and is now li\ing with his 
son. Dr. Cunningham, in Walnut street of 
Danville. He is still the o\Mier of two hun- 
dred and forty acres of hte best improved 
farm land in the county and likewise has 
town property, which is the visible evidence 
of his life of industry and toil. He stands 
to-day as one of the most honored pioneer 
settlers of the county, ha\'ing witnessed al- 
most its entire growth and development and 
is classed among those who have laid broad 
and deep the foundation for the present 
progress and prosperity of this portion of 
the state for he has heen found as the advo- 
cate of all measures for improvement and 
for the deA-elopment of the community and 
his influence has ever been on the side of the 

right. 

-♦-•-• 

J. A. CUNNINGHAM. 

Varied and important are the business 
interests which have claimed the attention 
of J. A. Cunningham, of Hoopeston. He 
is one of Vermilion county's native sons and 
one whose career reflects credit and honor 
upon the place of his nativity. His birth 
occurred in the year 1843 ''^"''^ ^'s parents, 
James and Mary A. (Andrews) Cunning- 
ham, were natives of Kentucky and New 
York, respectively. The father was a farmer 
by occupation, carrying on that pursuit until 
sixty years of age, when he put aside busi- 
ness cares and lived retired, passing away at 
his home in Stateline, Indiana, at the age of 
ninety-one years. He had survived his wife, 
who also died at Stateline in 1885. 

His parents having become residents of 
\^ermilion countv at an earlv dav, J. A. 
Cunningham was here reared and in the 
schools of his native countv and of State- 



46 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



line, Indiana, lie pursued liis education, re- 
ceiving instructions fmni I'rotessor Mar- 
shall in the latter place. In his youth he 
assisted in the operation of the home farm 
and early became familiar with the best 
methods of cultivating; the fields. In the 
summer of 1864, when twenty-one years of 
age, he offered his services to the country 
as a defender of the I'nion, enlisting in the 
One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois In- 
fantrv under Captain Stewart, but he was 
rejected on account of physical disability. Be- 
ing unable to become a soldier he therefore 
undertook the task of winning success in 
the business world and entered the grocery 
trade at Stateline, Indiana, conducting his 
enterprise with good success until 1866, 
when he took up his abode near Hoopeston. 
Here he began dealing in stock. He pur- 
chased two hundred and forty acres of land 
at twenty dollars per acre. As time passed 
and his financial resources increased he has 
made very judicious investments in real es- 
tate, continually adding to his land until 
he now owns thirty-six hundred acres. About 
sixteen hundred acres of this lies in Indiana 
but the greater part is Illinois property. In 
1894 Mr. Cunningham became interested in 
the banking business, being connected with 
the Bank of Hoopeston conducted under 
the firm name of Hamilton & Cunningham, 
and of this institution he is now the presi- 
dent. He is also one of the stockholders of 
the Commercial Trust & Savings Bank re- 
cently organized in Danville. A man of 
resourceful business ability, he has extended 
his eft'orts into other fields of activity and 
to-day he has a half interest in the Illinois 
Can Factory, with which he has been asso- 
ciated for about sixteen years. For several 
years he looked after its farming interests 
and the raising of corn, also the work of 



delivering this product to the factory. He 
was one of the organizers of the Illinois Can 
Ci^mpany, which in 1900 was merged into 
the American Can Company, in which he 
still retains stock. He was formerly owner 
of the Cunningham Hotel and is one of the 
six men who own and conduct the Hoope- 
ston horse nail factory. His sound business 
judgment and keen discernment have been 
important factors in many interests which 
have proven of value to the public by pro- 
moting commercial activity and at the same 
time have returned to the stockholders a 
good profit on their investment. 

In 1865 Mr. Cunningham was united in 
marriage to Miss Mary R. Scott, the wed- 
ding being celebrated in the house which 
stood upon the prairie and which vet stand; 
to-day as one of the landmarks of that early 
time. Tlie lady was reared by Thomas 
Hoopes, a wealthy pioneer of Vermilion 
county, and was liberally remembered in his 
will. Five children have been born of this 
iniion : h'rank 11., wlm married Dora Dove 
and carries on agricultural pursuits; .\nna 
S., the wife of D. B. M. Brown; Bert M., 
who wedded Nettie Bond and is an agricul- 
turist; Harry R., who married Allic Fades 
and is living in Chicago ; and Walter, who 
died at the age of six years. Since the spring 
of 1894 Mr. Cunningham and his family 
have resided in 1 luMpestun. They now have 
a beautiful home on I'cnn street — the old 
Hoopes residence. 

Politically Mr. Cunningham is a stalwart 
Republican and for several years he efticient- 
ly served as a member of the board of super- 
visors. He was also a member of the State 
Board of Agriculture for fi\e years aufl for 
a quarter of a century he was the president 
of the County Fair Association which he 
aided in organizing, becoming one of its 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



47 



stockholders. He is one of the men of 
means and enterprise who have made Hoope- 
ston an enterprising and progresive western 
city. He has been very Hberal to all measures 
for the general good, contributing freely of 
his time and means for the promo- 
tion of objects of general interest 
and impr(j\-ement. Socially he is con- 
nected with the Masonic fraternity, 
belonging to the blue lodge, chapter, com- 
mandery and council, and (^f the last named 
he is a charter member. The career of Mr. 
Cunningham has ever been such as to war- 
rant the trust and confidence of the business 
world, for he has ever contlncted all tran 
sactions according to the strictest principles 
of honor and integrity. His devotion to the 
public good is unquestioned and arises from 
a sincere interest in the welfare of his fellow 
men. What the world needs is such men^ 
men capable of managing extensive business 
concerns and conducting business on terms 
that are fair alike to employer and employe 
— men of genuine worth, of unc[uestioned 
integrity and honor, and then the questior 
of oppression by capitalists and resistance 
and violence by laborers will be forever al 

rest. 

* » » 

ALMOND N*ORTON LE NEVE. 

Almond N. Le Neve comes of a family 
which has ever been loyal to America, her 
institutions and her welfare. He was born 
in Newell township, east of the J. D. Camp- 
bell farm, March 9, 1837, and is a son of 
John and Rebecca (Newell) Le Neve. The 
Newells were the earliest settlers of the 
township and it was named in honor of the 
family. The Le Neve's were natives of 
Kentuckv. The father of Almond N. emi- 



grated to Vermilion county in 1823, when 
the country was wild and unimproved and 
Indians were numerous. The paternal and 
maternal grandfathers of our subject were 
soldiers in the Revolutionai-y war and 
fought valiantly in the cause of independ- 
ence. The maternal grandfather enlisted 
in Halifax, Halifax county, Virginia, and 
went through the entire war without receiv- 
ing a wound. As he signed his name on the 
muster roll he made this remark : ■ "Be- 
cause of the kind treatment of the colonies 
I will give my life and if necessary cement 
it with my blood." The paternal grand- 
father enlisted under General La Favette 
and gave up his life on the altar of his 
country, being killed in the battle in which 
La Fayette was wounded. When La Fay- 
ette returned to America, the women met 
him spreading shawls for his feet to tread, 
in honor of his charity and devotedness to 
the men in the field, for he spent a princely 
fortune upon the colonies, giving of his 
means to feed and clothe his men. Joln- 
Le Neve, the father of Almond N., was born 
in Tenneessee, in 1S03, and died in 1882, 
while his wife was born in Kentucky, in 
1805, and died in 1882, three months after 
the death of her husband. \Vhen he came 
with his parents to Illinois John Le Neve 
settled in Lawrence county on Ellison prai- 
rie, west of Vincennes, Indiana, and re- 
mained there with his parents until 1823. 
when he came on to Vermilion county, Illi- 
nois. Here he married Rebecca Newell, 
reared their family and spent the re- 
mainder of their days. John Le Neve 
had a brother, Obatlia, who was 
born in 1799, and died in 1884. He 
was a man of charity and public spirit, and 
was kind to the widow and orphan. When 
he butchered he would kill enough stock 



48 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



so as to give to those who were unal^le tn 
purchase meat, and was always ready tc 
help any one in distress that would apply 
to him. He was widely known throughout 
the country and loved hy ever)- one. No 
one went unclothed or hungry from his door 
and he was ever trying to uplift mankind 
One Saturday he visited the home of our 
subject and entered into a religious con- 
versation. Previous to this he had never 
made any religious profession, although hi^^ 
views were .liberal and his life was in ac- 
cord with the teachings of Christianity. In 
this conversation he spoke of the life to 
come and was content concerning the same. 
He was called away the following ?kIonday 
night, departing tliis life at the home of 
Mr. Le Neve. 

John Le Neve and his wife were the 
parents of the following children : Samuel 
P. married Adeline Wilson and lives three 
miles north of Danville; Isabel Martin is 
deceased; William married Emma Smith 
who died in Champaign county. Illim^is. 
Thev had two children. Samuel Perry and 
Marshall Ney. William married again, his 
second union being with Minerva Mills. By 
this marriage seven children were born : San- 
ford, now a school teacher; Emma, de- 
ceased; Lillv, Thomas. Samuel, and Laura 
and Nellie, twins, all at home. The father 
of this family, William Le Neve, died I\Tarch 
i6. 1902. leaving to his family an untarn- 
ished name and the heritage of a life well 
spent. His death occurred at his home in 
Indiana., where he had removed about 181 ,'8 
or 1899. John Le Neve is now deceased 
Seraphine is the wife of John S. Webber. 
a retired farmer of Paxton. Illinois, and 
their children are: Perry, deceased: Al- 
mond Flavins, who married Hattie Harnett ■ 
John L.. Charley and Lincoln. Julia, the 



sixth member of the Wcbljer famih'. is the 
wife of Henry Corbley, of Champaign coun- 
ty, Illinois. Nettie L. is now Mrs. Ewell. 
and has one son. Ross is the wife of Stan- 
ley Sutton, an attorney, of Indiana. They 
ha\e one son. The sixth member of the 
family of John Le Neve is the subject of 
this review. The seventh, Mrs. Mary Leon 
ard, is deceased, leaving two children, Perry 
and Belle. John Wilson died in September, 
1886. Thomas, the youngest child, died in 
infancy. John Le Neve came in a prairit 
schooner with his parents from Tennessee. 
He began his active business career with a 
capital of one hundred and thirty dollars 
and fifty cents. He entered eightv acres of 
timber and wild prairie land, paying there- 
for one dollar and a quarter per acre. This 
took one hundred dollars of his capital, and 
when he liegan housekeeping he had just 
thirteen dollars and fifty cents left. He 
made rails to pay for a cow and he drove 
pins in a log and laid a board across as a 
place to put their dishes. They ate their meals 
from a puncheon tal)le, in the old log house 
where the subject of this review was born. 
During his life-time he was an enterprising 
farmer, and also a great stock man, raising 
and selling a good grade of stock. 

.\lmond N. Le Neve was reared upon 
his father's farm and attended the district 
school during the winter season, while in 
the summer he assisted his father upon the 
farm. He supplemented his early educa- 
tion with one year in the Danville high 
school and after he left home he taught a 
term in Champaign county, Illinois. He 
then engaged in general farming and stock 
raising, always raising his own cattle and 
horses. He remembers the introduction of 
the crane, in 1850, and when the first cook- 
ing stove was brought into the neighbor- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



49 



hood. He relates how they used to build 
fires before matches came iuto use, with 
flint and knife, and how the pioneers used 
to bake "Johnny Cake." He remembers 
the first two augers which came into use in 
the neighborhood, the first known as a sev- 
en-quarter auger and the other as a one- 
quarter inch auger. Augers were so scarce 
then that they were obliged to carefully put 
away any boards which they might find with 
a hole in, for use in emergency. Part of the 
neighborhood could not farm until the hick- 
ory bark would peel, from which they made 
tugs, hames and shoe strings. On his own 
home farm they used to shuck corn in an old 
Virginia box. They had to make boxes so 
the ears would not roil out and had to re- 
pair the boxes each load. Their first plow 
was a wooden mold board, the next a single 
shovel. They cut grain with a reap hook 
and when the cradle came into use they 
considered it a great improvement. He re- 
members the first two carriages in that lo- 
cality. Peter Starr owned one of these and 
Joe Cunningham's father the other. The 
people would gaze at these carriages in as- 
tonishment, regarding tiiem as being i'won- 
derfully and fearfully made." In these 
primitive times grease lamps and dip can- 
dles were in use. When later kerosene came 
into use it was regarded as being very dan- 
gerous. ]Many a time has Mr. Le Neve 
pursued his studies by the light of a fire. 
He also broke prairie in Champaign county, 
using plows that would cut from twenty- 
four to twenty-six inches. He and his 
brother William "batched" in that county ■ 
during one summer in company witli their 
father. 

Almond N. Le Neve started on his busi- 
ness career in his twentieth year and re- 
mained in Champaign county, Illinois, until 



after his marriage. The lady of his choice 
was Nancy J. Ford, who was born in Shelby 
county, Indiana, a daughter of William and 
Sarah (Louden) Ford, both of whom were 
natives of Kentuck}'. Unto Mr. and INIrs. 
Le Neve were born eight children. Louis 
died in infancy. Jerome, of Danville, mar- 
ried Grace Marple, and they have two chil- 
dren, Russell and Marguerite. Emma 
Belle, a bright little girl, died at the age of 
seven years. Fannie is now Mrs. Charles 
Young, of Newell township, and has four 
children, Don, Ross, Mary and Flarriet 
Ruth. Hattie is the fifth member of Mr. 
Le Neve's family. Roy married Grace CofY- 
man March 26, 1902. They have one child, 
Paul Reagan. She was born March 5. 1877, 
and is a daughter of Rev. William and Mary 
(Betzer) CofYman, of Indiana. Jerry as- 
sists his father on the home farm. Jennie 
May, the youngest of the family, died in 
infancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Le Neve are members of 
State Line City Methodsit Episcopal church, 
in which Mr. Le Neve was class leader for 
several years, also acting as Sunaay-school 
superintendent. The home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Le Neve is permeated by Christianity, the 
entire family being active and earnest work- 
ers in the church. The children have all 
been reared under the influence of the good 
mother and father, and Miss Hattie has 
been identified with evangelical work for 
abotit six years. While in New York she 
spoke at A. B. Simpson's church and later 
went to Asbury Park, New Jersey. She is 
fitting herself as a missionary and expects 
to go to foreign lands to labor in the cause 
of Christianity. In September, 1895, Sister 
Mershon, an evangelist, held several meet- 
ings, ditring which Mr. Le Neve and hi-^ 
family were converted and sanctified. .At 



so 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



the close Miss Hattie Le Neve felt the call- 
ing of the Master to take up his work ant'. 
ga\e expression to her feelings by singing 
with Sister Mershon. She has continued 
in this work since and is well fitted for it. 
having taken training at Nyack, Xew York, 
a missionary training institute. Roy Le 
Neve and his wile are also preparing for the 
same kind of work. Mrs. Grace Le Neve 
is a musician of remarkable talent, being 
able to sing and play any piece of sacred 
music, although she has never taken lessons 
along that line. The Le Neve family have 
a happy home and on the walls are inscribed 
many lines from the scripture. They have 
meetings held at their home twice a week. 
On the death of William Le Neve, the 
brother of Almond N.. Miss Hattie Le Neve 
preached the funeral sermon. She had been 
previously requested to do this by William 
Le Neve. The service was very touching 
and was the means of bringing many to 
Christ. The Le Neve family is noted for its 
members being of such an upright and hon 
orable class. The children of Mrs. John S. 
Webber, the sister of Almond N., all mar 
tied into highly educated and cultured fam- 
ilies. 

Mr. Le Neve of this review has helped 
to establish the schools and nearly every 
church of this locality, and while living in 
Champaign county he also took an interest 
in public affairs. With his brother Will- 
iam he removed to Champaign county, Illi- 
nois, in 1858. In the panic of 1873-4 ho 
lost heavily, but he did not become discour- 
aged. He began life anew and by good man- 
agement he again acquired a competence. 
He has always lived a Christian life and he 
feels that by reason of this he has prospered. 
He at one time owned one hundred and 
nineity acres of well improved land. Of 



this he sold ninety acres or divided it among 
his children. He now has one hundred acres 
of the very best farm land, on section 24, 
Newell township. On this place he has lived 
fur fifteen years. His son Roy was in the 
First Regiment, Illinois Light Artillery, 
Battery A, under Major Williston, Captain 
Yeager and General Brook. The regiment 
was sent to Porto Rico, but never was in 
battle, although some of the infantry and 
cavalry were called into light skirmishes. 
Mr. Le Neve of this review has seen the 
city of Danville develop from a hamlet to 
a thriving and flourishing city, and has been 
identified with the interests of Vermilion, 
his native county, all his life. He began 
life with no capital and through right prin- 
ciples of honesty and integrity he has pros- 
perd and stands to-day among the highly 
respected and substantial citizens of Newell 
township. In politics he is a Prohibitionist 
and gives his best efforts to the support of 
that party. Always public-spirited, he has 
served as commissioner of highways and 
school director for many years in Vermilion 
and Champaign counties, and he served as 
superintendent of two different schools dur- 
ing one summer. All movements for the 
genral welfare have his hearty support and 
co-operation and no one is more highly re- 
garded in Vermilion county than Almond 
N. Le Neve. 



A. H. TREGO: 



In whatever relation of life Mr. Trego 
has been found he has l)een respected for his 
sterling worth, his fidelity to principle and 
to duty and his enterprising and progressive 
si)irit. He was born in Bucks county, Penn- 
sylvania, on the i6th of June. 1838. He 




-^//^ 



A— < — -^ », 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



53 



;s a son of Curtis D. and Mary G. (Gilbert) 
Trego, both of whom were natives of the 
Keystone state and were members of the So- 
ciety of Friends, in which faith our subject 
was reared. The father was a farmer by 
occupation and during the greater part of 
his life carried on agricultural pursuits. In 
1856 he went to Galesburg in order to pro- 
vide his children with better educational ad- 
vantages and was there engaged in conduct- 
ing a grocery store. At the time of the Civil 
war he was engaged in purchasing horses 
for the post at Gallatin, Tennessee. He re- 
sided in Orion, Henry county, Illinois, for 
several years after the close of the war and 
the last ten years of his life were spent in 
Cass county, Iowa, where both he and his 
wife died. This worthy couple were the 
parents of nine children : Elizabeth, now 
deceased; A. H., of this review; Jacob R., 
who is living in Cass county, Iowa ; Helen 
R., the wife of Joseph Engle, of that county ; 
Letitia, the wife of A. Clark, of Earlham. 
Iowa; Lavinia, the wife of D. D. Hall, of 
Norfolk, Nebraska; Fred, of Cass county, 
Iowa; Frank, who died in Galesburg, Illi- 
nois ; and Emma, who died in Henry county, 
Illinois. 

In the common schools A. H. Trego be- 
gan his education which was completed by 
graduation in Lombard College, of Gales- 
burg, Illinois. He completed the collegiate 
course in the month of June, 1862, and in 
July of the same year he enlisted in the 
LTnion army as a member of Company C, One 
Hundred and Second Illinois Infantry, un- 
der Captain Frank Shedd and Colonel Mc- 
Murtry. He served for three years and was 
on the staff of General E. A. Paine, holding 
the rank of first lieutenant for a vear. As 
Captain Shaw was on detached duty, our 
subject took command of the company in the 



Atlanta campaign, serving thus from Chat- 
tanooga until they reached Atlanta, as a 
member of Sherman's forces. He acted as 
aide de camp on the staff of General Harri- 
son, who commanded the First Brigade and 
Third Division, Twentieth Army Corps, 
from Atlanta to Savannah during Sherman's 
march to the sea and continued as acting as- 
sistant adjutant general on the staff of Col- 
onel Case, of the One Hundred and Fifth 
Illinois Infantry from Savannah to Golds- 
boro. After Harrison's return to his com- 
mand J\Ir. Trego still acted as assistant ad- 
jutant general until after the troops reached 
Washington. He was mustered out in June, 
1865, returning to his home with a record 
for gallant and meritorious military service. 
He was slightly wounded in the hand and 
again in the shoulder, but otherwise escaped 
luiinjured. 

Returning to Galesburg, Mr. Trego re- 
mained for a short time at that place and 
then went to Rock Island, Illinois, where 
he was engaged in the grocery business \\'ith 
his father for a year. He next occupied a 
position as bookkeeper in a commission 
house in Chicago and in 1867 he embarked 
in the produce commission business on South 
Water street of that city. There he carried 
on operations until 1871, when his business 
was destroyed in the great fire which swept 
o\-er the city, the insurance company paying 
him only ten cents on the dollar. After this 
disaster he did not have money enough to 
buy himself an overcoat. With strong pur- 
pose and unconquerable determination, how- 
ever, he began work in a lumberyard as a 
sorter. There he remained until the spring fol- 
lowing, when he became shipping clerk, act- 
ing in that capacity until 1876, when he re- 
moved to Hoopeston and established a retail 
lumber business, which he conducted with 



54 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



success until 1888. when he sold out. Since 
that time he has been connected with agri- 
cultural pursuits and with the canning busi- 
ness. He was one of the three organizers 
of the Hoopeston Canning Company, which 
was capitalized for fifty thousand dollars. 
In this enterprise he was associated with 
J. S. McFerren and A. T. Catherwood, the 
latter now deceased. This business is still 
conductetl by Mr. Trego anel Mr. McFerren 
and since 1890 our subject has had the man- 
agement of the plant. He was one of the 
eight organizers of the Union Can Compan) 
in 1894, which in 1900 was merged into 
the American Can Company of which he 
is a stockholder. He acted as president of 
the Unif)n Can Company until the last year 
of its existence. He is a director of the 
First National Bank and is the president of 
the Hoopeston Horse-Nail Company. He 
owns valuable land in Benton county, In- 
diana, to the extent of four hundred and sixty 
acres and is equal owner with Mr. McFerre 
in fourteen hundred acres of valuable land 
in Grant township, this county. He also has 
real estate in Chicago, including some resi- 
dences on Indiana a\enue. with considerable 
realty in Hoopeston, including three or four 
hundred lots. His own attractive residence 
here, built in 1881. is situated at the corner 
of Fourth and Washington streets. He is 
the president of the Illinois-Cuban Land 
Company, owning tw^enty thousand acres of 
land in Cuba near the city of Santiago. 

In Chicago, in October, 1868, ]Mr. Trego 
was united in marriage to Miss Frances C. 
Reed, a native of Fulton coimty, Illinois 
In the family were eight children, five sons 
and three daughters, of whom four sons are 
yet living: Charles H., who is associated 
with his father in farming interests ; Edward 
F., who is bookkeeper for the canning com- 



pany-; and Walter and Gilbert C, who are 
in school. The mother died .Vjjril 28, 1897, 
and on the 8th of November, 1900, Mr 
Trego was married to Miss Florence Honey- 
well, a daughter of Alba Honeywell, who is 
represented elsewhere in this work. 

For thirty-four years Mr. Trego has 
been a member of the L'niversalist church 
and superintendent of the Sunday-school. 
He is also chairman of the board of trus- 
tees of the church and is dee])ly interested 
in e\-erything pertaining to the upbuilding 
of the cause and to the extension of its in- 
fluence. He is trustee of Lombard College, 
of Galesburg, Illinois, and for the past seve: 
years he has ser\ed as president of the 
Hoopeston Public Library with the excep- 
tion of two years when absent from the city. 
He is also secretary of the board of trustees 
of Greer College. In politics he is a stal- 
wart Republican and for a number of years 
he served as an alderman of Hoopeston and 
was mayor of the city at the time the water- 
works system was inaugurated. He has ever 
been active in defense of measures pertaining 
to the general good. Socially he is connected 
with the Grand Army Post at that place, of 
which he was the first commander. He be- 
longs to Hoopeston Lodge. No. 115, F. & 
A. M., and the chapter and commandery 
at Paxton. He arrived in Hoopeston in 
1876 and has resided here contiiuiousb 
since. 

The entire life of Mr. Trego has been 
one of unusual activity and industry and he 
is a self-made man in the fullest sense of 
that so frequently misused term. Holding 
important business positions, controlling 
vast interests — this speaks louder than words, 
of his executive and business ability. His 
methods have always been in keeping with 
the highest [irinciples of honorable and fair 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



57 



dealing and with conscientions regard for 
the rights of others. He has a clear and 
comprehensive mind and is able to conceive 
not only large projects but also to execute 
well directed plans. Although he has been 
closely identified with extensive enterprises 
his time and attention ha^•e not been given 
wholly to them. He has been very promi- 
nent and helpful in business affairs and also 
in matters of public importance. He like- 
wise has rare social qualities and delights 
in good fellowship and lacks none of those 
personal traits of character which are indi- 
cative of the warm hearted and high minded 
Sfentleman. 



JUDGE D. D. EVANS. 

Perhaps there is no part of this history 
of more general interest than the record of 
the bar. It is well known that the peace, 
prosperity and well-being of every commun- 
ity depend upon the v^^ise interpretation of 
the laws, as well as upon their judicious 
framing, and therefore the records of the 
various persons who have at different times 
made up the bar will form an important part 
of this volume. A well known jurist of Illi- 
nois said : "In the American state the great 
and good lawyer must always be prominent, 
for he is one of the forces that move and con- 
trol society. Public confidence has generally 
been reposed in the legal profession. It has 
ever been the defender of popular rights, the 
champion of freedom regulated by law, the 
firm support of good government. In the 
times of danger it has stood like a rock and 
breasted the mad passions of the hour and 
finally resisted tumult and faction. No po- 
litical preferment, no mere place, can add 
to the power or increase the honor which be- 
longs to the pure and educated lawyer." 



Judge D. D. Evans is one who has been hon- 
ored by and is an honor to the legal fra- 
ternity of Illinois. He stands to-day promi- 
nent among the leading members of the bar 
of the state, — a position which he has at- 
tained through industr)^ energy and marked 
ability. 

The Judge has passed the seventy-third 
milestone on life's journey, his birth having 
occurred on the 17th of April, 1829, near 
Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, his parents being 
David and Anna (Lloyd) Evans. As the 
name indicates, the Evans family is of Welsh 
origin. His paternal grandfather was a na- 
tive of the northern portion of Wales, while 
the grandmother was born in a southern dis- 
trict of the rock-ribbed country. In child- 
hood they crossed the Atlantic with their re- 
spective parents, who located in the Keystone 
state. The maternal grandfather of the 
Judge was a leading and influential resident 
of Pennsylvania at an early day and was in- 
strumental in the formation of a county 
there, which he called Cambria, the ancient 
name of Wales. He also laid out and 
founded the county seat of the new county, 
which he named Ebensburg in honor of a 
deceased son. Not only was he active in the 
material development of his portion of the 
state but was a man of much influence as the 
promoter of its moral progress, being a min- 
ister of the gospel. 

David Evans, the father of the Judge, 
was reared in PennsylvaJiia, became a stone- 
mason and contractor and aided in the con- 
struction of the famous portage road across 
the Allegheny mountains in Pennsylvania. 
That was at an early epoch in the history of 
railroads and the work was considered a 
piece of wonderful engineering. The money 
which he earned in this way Mr. Evans in- 
vested in farm land and then turned his at- 
tention to agricultural pursuits. It was thus 



ss 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



that Judge Evans became familiar witli farm 
labor in his 3'outh. The advantages and 
privileges which he enjoyed in his early 
youth were few. He did not enter a school- 
room until he was ten years of age, and then 
spent only two months in each year for a few 
years as a student there. He had a love of 
learning, however, that prompted his ac- 
quirement of .knowledge through reading 
and study at home, and in this way he be- 
came qualified to teach, and for one or two 
terms followed the profession of teaching, 
where1)y he acquired means sufficient to en- 
able him to continue his own education at 
Hiram, Ohio. His capital was also supple- 
mented by his earnings in tlie harvest field 
during the summer vacations. On leaving 
that institution he made his way to southern 
Ohio and for five or six years continued his 
work as a successful teacher. During that 
time he also spent one term as a student in 
the Normal Institute of Lebanon, Ohio. 
Forming the determination to become a 
practitioner at the bar, while still pursuing 
his educational \\ork as an instructor he took 
up the study of law, and in i860 he matricu- 
lated in the law department of the Univer- 
sity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was 
there graduated in 1863. 

In the meantime the country had become 
involved in civil war, and with patriotic 
loyalty Judge Evans offered his services to 
the government, but almost immediately af- 
ter his enlistment he was taken ill with ty- 
phoid fever and was tlnis forced to return 
home. In Noveml)er, 1S64, he became a 
resident of Danville, and has since l)een 
numbered among its valued and honored 
citizens. Here Inc entered upon tlie practice 
of his ]irofession in connection with jnhn 
A. Kumler. Older practitioners were in the 
field and the amount of legal business at that 



time was not great. He found it difficult to 
obtain a foothold that would bring him suffi- 
cient pecuniary returns to meet his expenses, 
and, while gaining a start in his profession 
he again engaged in teaching for a year, 
and showed himself a successful teacher. 
He also became a factor in journalistic cir- 
cles, and, in connection with Judge Clapp, 
became the owner of the Chronicle, which 
was consolidated with the Vermilion Coun- 
ty Plaindealer and became the Danville 
I'laindealer, Judge Evans acting as editor of 
the new paper. All this, however, was but 
the means of tiding him over and after a 
year spent as editor of the Plaindealer he 
again returned to the practice of law as a 
partner of IM. D. Hawes, and when Mr. 
Hawes withdrew from the legal profession 
after four years, Mr. Evans was then alone 
in business for two years. He then formed 
a partnership with Charles INI. Swallow, this 
being continued for four years, when the 
Judge was again without a partner. In the 
meantime, however, he had demonstrated 
his ability to successfully cope with the in- 
tricate problems of jurisprudence, had dis- 
played broad and comprehensive knowledge 
of the law, had shown force in argument, 
strength in reasoning and clearness and 
capability in the presentation of a cause. His 
ability attracted to him the attention of the 
leaders of the Republican party and in 1881 
he was nominated on that ticket for the office 
of county judge. 

In speaking of this part of his life a 
contemporary biographer has said : "When 
Judge Evans came to the bench he found the 
afifairs of the court in a deplorable condition, 
owing ])artly to the long-continued illness 
I if his predecessor. Judge Ilanford. and part- 
ly to the loose and wholly inefficient methods 
which had prexailed in the conduct of the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



59 



office. * * * He found cases on the 
docket ten, fifteen and even twenty years be- 
hind, * * * 3,-i(j grave abuses and 
neglect of duty were evident, not the least of 
which was the practice of allowing guar- 
dians, executors and administrators to settle 
at such times as they might elect, with their 
wards out of court, and such settlements had 
been accepted by the court in direct violation 
of law, which requires such settlements to 
be made under oath, in court, with an item- 
ized account of all transactions pertaining 
to the estates or other property in trust. 
Judge Evans insisted upon changing all of 
this. It is probably that the history of the 
entire state would fail to show such a com- 
plete and radical reformation and transfor- 
mation in so short a time as was wrought by 
him during his first term in this office. He 
radically revised the methods in vogue in 
probate matters, and as rapidly as possibly 
under the circumstances, took up, straighten- 
ed out and disposed of the old cases which 
had so long been lingering on the docket : 
required all guardians, administrators, ex- 
ecutors, assignees and conservators to ac- 
count for their trusts in the manner pre- 
scribed b}' law; developed the common law 
term from practically nothing to three terms 
per year of several weeks each, or in short he 
made the county court of almost equal im- 
portance to the circuit court. He appointed 
over two hundred executors and adminis- 
trators,* and about one hundred and fifty 
guardians and conservators, all of whom 
he required to account regularly in court 
as the law required. He gave his undi- 
vided attention to the duties of the posi- 
tion to which he had been chosen, and 
gave careful consideration to each case 
as it came up; and as a result of this care 
and as evidence of his knowledge of law 



and sound legal judgment he achieved the 
proud distinction of having but one finding 
revised and but a single one reversed by the 
higher courts during his term of service. 

"Upon the expiration of his first term. 
Judge Evans was again elected to the same 
position, and for four years more presided 
over the court, the standing of which he had 
done so much to establish and elevate. 

"It must not be supposed that the meth- 
ods adopted by Judge E\'ans met the un- 
qualified approval of all people in the com- 
munity, although no one could speak aught 
against him personally, for his honor, in- 
tegrity, ability and all that goes to constitute 
the ideal judge he was above reproach; yet 
there were many malcontents. There were 
those who had been thriving ofif the estates 
in trust, who found their occupation gone; 
the machine politicians were not in love with 
him, for he was not the kind of man they 
could approach, much less handle, for the 
furtherance of their schemes; and when it 
came time to nominate a candidate for the 
third term Judge Evans busied himself with 
the duties of his office instead of wire-pull- 
ing for the nomination, with the result that 
he awoke one morning and found another 
Richmond in the field. Then it was that the 
better element of the other political party — 
the Democratic — formed plans, and without 
consulting him and entirely without his 
knowledge, and of course without his con- 
sent, either directly or indirectly, placed 
his name on the ticket as their candidate for 
county judge. They justified their action 
in this matter partially by citing the fact 
that during his first candidacy for the office 
they had placed no candidate for the office 
of their own against him but had instead 
placed his name on their ticket, thus making 
him virtually the candidate of both political 



6o 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



parties ; aiul now, when tlie machine element 
in his own party had succeeded in getting 
him put aside, the Democrats placed his 
name on their ticket from consideration of 
the able and impartial manner in which he 
had for eight 3'ears conducted the affairs of 
this important position. This action of his 
friends — undoubtedly kindly meant — placed 
Judge Evans in an awkward position. He 
could not without wounding the feelings of- 
his friends preemptorily spurn this indorse- 
ment and in fact and truth he had no oppor- 
tunity of "declining the honor," as he was 
never consulted in the matter; so he simply 
let matters take their course. His enemies 
\\'orke<l persistently and desperately, while 
he made no move and gave no utterance in 
his own behalf. The result was that he was 
defeated at the polls by a small majority. 
This may have been poor "politics," and 
undoubtedly was from a practical stand- 
point, but Judge Evans was never a practi- 
cal "politician" in the sense that term is 
used in tlie present day. He has none of 
that "all-things-to-all-men" sort of qualifi- 
cation which is the principal stock in trade 
of the average latter-day politician. He is 
modest, dignified and reserved, and scorned 
the practice of going into the field and act- 
ively soliciting votes for himself. The re- 
sult was that his opponents called him an 
aristocrat without sympathy with the com- 
mon people, and said he was a party turn- 
coat because his name appeared on the Dem- 
ocratic ticket. By these and other like meth- 
ods enough votes were secured to retire him 
from the office he had done so much to 
dignify and lionor. He accepted his defeat 
gracefully, and at once took up again the 
practice of his profession." 

While the practice of law has been the 
real life work of Judge Evans he has at the 



same time been connected with some very 
important business aft'airs and with public 
interests. In 1892 he became an equal owner 
in The Wabash ^lilling Company, but in 
icS94 a disastrous fire destroyed the plant, 
which was only partially insured, and thus 
a large loss was sustained. In matters per- 
taining to the general good the Judge has 
always been found on the side of progress. 
impro\ement and reform. He has been a 
member of the board of education in Dan- 
\'ille anil the cause of the schools have found 
in him a warm and helpful friend. He has 
never wavered in his allegiance to the Re- 
publican party anil has been recognized as 
one of its leaders in his district, serving as 
chairman of the Republican central com- 
mittee. In 1876 he was made a delegate to 
the Republican national convention, which 
nominated Hayes for the presidency and 
again and again he has been sent as a dele- 
gate to the state conventions of his party. 
He has ever been fearless and outspoken in 
defense of his honest political convictions, yet 
is not bitterly aggressive, however, no one 
has occasion to question his views. It is 
doubtful if he ever weighed an act of his 
life in the balance of political policy. He is 
an incorruptable patriot and deserves the 
homage that commanding ability wins from 
all men. In the press by his own ])en he 
has denounced false methods and has ever 
believed in the office seeking the man rather 
than the man seeking the office. 

In 1867 occurred the marriage of Judge 
Evans and Mrs. Edwilda A. Sconce, whose 
maiden name was Cromwell. They became 
the parents of three children, but only one 
is now living, Waldo Carl. The Evans 
household has ever been noted for its graci- 
ous hospitality, this home being the favorite 
resort of the citizens of Danville and its 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



6i 



social features are most enjoyed by the 
friends of the Judge and his estima- 
ble wife. As an orator, Judge Evans 
is not one of prominence, but is clear 
and forceful. He has been a student 
not only of political issues but of social and 
economical questions and from his pen have 
come able utterances on many subjects, cov- 
ering a wide range of thought and investi- 
gation. There is nothing narrow or con- 
tracted about him and he cannot accept nar- 
row creeds or dogmas but his is a religion 
which believes in the uniform laws of the 
universe and the brotherhood of man. He 
is a member of no church but his morals 
and integrity are unquestioned. He is a 
follower of facts rather than faith and is a 
believer in the freedom of thought. Few 
lawyers have made a more lasting impression 
upon the bar of the state, both for legal abil- 
ity of a high order and for the individuality 
of a personal character, which impresses it- 
self upon a community. Of a family con- 
spicuous for strong intellects, indomitable 
courage and energy, he entered upon his 
career as a lawyer, and such was his force 
of character and natural qualifications that 
he overcame all obstacles and wrote his name 
upon the keystone of the legal arch. In his 
private life he is distinguished by all that 
marks the true gentleman. His is a noble 
character, — one that subordinates personal 
ambition to public good and seeks rather the 
benefit of others than the aggrandizement of 
self. Endowed by true nature, with high 
intellectual qualities, to which he has added 
the discipline and embellishments of culture, 
his is a most attractive personality. Well 
versed in the learning of his profession, and 
with a deep knowledge of human conduct, 
with great sagacity and extraordinary tact, 



he stands to-day as one of the most dis- 
tinguished members that has ever practiced 
at the bar of this portion of Illinois. 



S-VMUEL COLLISON. 

Samuel Collison, the president of the 
First National Bank of Rossville, was born 
on the 1st of August, 1853, in Pilot town- 
ship, \^ermilion county, near Collison sta- 
tion, which was named in honor of the fam- 
ily. His father, Absalom Collison, was a 
native of Ohio and arrived in this county in 
1828, when Danville was a mere hamlet 
upon a broad and almost unbroken prairie 
which stretched away for miles in every 
direction. He settled in what was then 
known as Higginsville, entered land from 
the government and turned his attention to 
farming. The advantages which the county 
offered to her early settlers were utilized by 
Mr. Collison, who purchased land when it 
was cheap and extended his possession un- 
til he had about one thousand acres. This 
he improved and cultivated and the fields re- 
sponded liberall}' with excellent crops. He 
also erected substantial and modern build- 
ings upon his farm, including one of the 
finest residences in this part of the state, 
hauling the lumber froni Indiana. He was 
not only abreast with modern improvement 
but was a leader in advancement along such 
lines, and the early development of the coun- 
ty was due in no small measure to his efforts. 
He married Mary Chenoweth, a native of 
Ohio, who became a resident of Vermilion 
county about the same time as her husband. 
They became the parents of twelve children, 
of whom seven are now li\-ing. The father 



6z 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



passed away when about fort}'-eig'lit years 
of age and the mother afterward Ijccame the 
wife of John Smith. 

In the district schools Samuel Collison 
acquired his early education, which, how- 
ever, was of limited character, for his train- 
ing was much more extensive in farm work 
and his time was largely given -to the labors 
of field and meadow. His father died when 
the son was less than one year old, and when 
he had reached the age of nineteen he left 
home and began earning his own living. 
Soon afterward he purchased eighty acres 
of land in Champaign county and for five 
years resided thereon. During that time he 
was married, in November, 1874, when 
twenty-one years of age, to Nancy Lindsay, 
a native of Vermilion county and a daughter 
of David Lindsay, an early pioneer and 
farmer from Kentucky, who settled near Mr. 
Collison's farm. After about six years in 
Champaign county our subject sold his land 
there and returned to this county, wliere he 
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of 
partly improved land. This he tiled and im- 
proved and to it he added a half section, thus 
becoming owner of a valual>le farm of four 
luindred and eighty acres, constituting one 
of the finest and best improved farms of the 
county. He was extensively engaged in the 
buying and shipping of cattle for twelve or 
fifteen years, in addition to general farming, 
and became well known as a very successful 
stockdealer. In 1893 he became interested 
in the banking business as a stockholder in a 
private bank with which he was associated 
for seven years. In this enterprise he was 
connected with his nephew, bVed Collison. 
In 1890 lie purcliased the interests of Messrs. 
Cunningham and Christman in what was 
known as the Citizens Bank, which on the 
1st of July, 1900. was organized under the 
name of the First National Bank, and is 



capitalized for tliirty-tixe thousand dollars. 
Mr. Collison is now the president of the in- 
stitution, with Mr. Crays as cashier, and the 
officers, together with P. Cadle, J. W. Fag- 
her, W. T. Cunningham, J. T. Christman, 
Ora Greer, and O. P. Stuftlebeam constitute 
the board of directors. The institution has 
prospered, becoming one of the reliable 
moneyed concerns of tlie county, and the 
capable management and enterprise of Mr. 
Collison are accountable in a large degree 
for this desireablc result. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Collison have l)een 
born two daughters, Mary and Olive. So- 
cially Mr. Collison is connected with the 
Modern Woodmen of America, and politi- 
cally he is a Republican, who strongly en- 
dorses the principles of the party but has 
never sought office as a reward for party 
fealty. His life has been that of the enter- 
prising resolute American business man, 
watchful of opportunities, quick to note 
possil)ilities and yet never taking advantage 
of the necessities of his fellow men. His 
business career is one which any man might 
be proud to possess because of his success 
and the honorable methods he has ever fol- 
lowed. 



THOAIAS HOOPES. 

More than one Illinois man whose name 
figures to-day upon the pages of history was 
born, as was Mr. Hoopes, in a log cabin 
and reared amid the hardships and priva- 
tions of pioneer life, but it is only under the 
pressure of adversity and the stimulus of 
opposition tliat tlie best and strongest in men 
have been brought out. Although Thomas 
Hoopes did not direct his energies into chan- 
nels which brought him political renown or 
militarv distinction, he became an imjiorlant 




^^' V-^zr^ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



65 



factor in reclaiming tlie great prairie dis- 
tricts of Illinois for the purposes of civiliza- 
tion and achieved success which awakened 
admiration and respect, and as long as the 
town of Hoopeston stands he will be hon- 
ored «is its founder and first settler. 

On the 26th of June, 1806, in a little 
log cabin which stood in what was then 
Jefferson county, but is now Harrison coun- 
ty. Ohio, Thomas Hoopes first opened his 
eyes to the light of day, being the fourth 
in order of birth in a family of six chil- 
dren. Primitive pioneer conditions then ex- 
isted in the Buckeye state and accordingly 
he was deprived of many of the advantages 
which could have been enjoyed in a more 
thickly settled region. His education was 
largely acquired under the direction of his 
mother, although later he had the opportun- 
ity of attending a private school for a month. 
About the time he attained his majoriy his 
father died, and he received as his share of 
the estate three hundred and thirt3'-four 
dollars and four cents, which served as the 
nticlus around which he gathered his for- 
tune in later years. 

Mr. Hoopes continued on the home farm 
until his marriage, which occurred July 8, 
1846, Miss Anna Gray, of Harrison county, 
Ohio, becoming his wife. Soon afterward 
he purchased eight hundred acres of land 
near Marion, Ohio, and settling thereon ])ui 
up one of the first brick houses in thaf part 
of the state. He also made many other sub- 
stantial improvements upon his farm and 
devoted most of his attention to stock-rais- 
ing, having a large flock of sheep grazing 
upon his farm all the time. In .'\ugust, 
1853, he came to Vermilion county to as- 
certain definitely the condition of the land 
and the prospects of the county. That he 
was satisfied with the investigation is indi- 



cated by the fact that in 1855 he brought his 
family to the west and purchased of W. I. 
Allen four hundred and eighty acres of land, 
on which he established his home. It lay 
northwest of the present site of Hoopeston, 
crowning a hill on the old Chicago road. 
As time passed he added largely to his land- 
ed possession until he became the owner of 
seven or eight thousand acres. For years he 
was one of the most extensive stock-dealers 
and raisers of this part of the state, making 
large shipments to the city markets and in- 
vesting his profits in land. On the 4th of 
July, 1871, the track of what is now the 
Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad was laid 
across his farm and the year following the 
Lake Erie & Western also began running 
trains through this district. Mr. Hoopes, 
who was always a man of keen sagacity and 
foresight, believed that here would be a good 
site for a town and began laying off his farm 
in town lots, thereafter devoting his energies 
to the sale of these lots and to the supervision 
of the interests of the embryo village. The 
place was named Hoopeston by one of the 
railroad prospectors. Mr. Hoopes subse- 
■quently sold one thousand acres of his land 
to the firm of Snell & Taylor, who had a 
part of it platted and sold as town lots. 
From that time until his death Mr. Hoopes 
was engaged in no active business enter- 
prise, save the supervision of his in\'ested 
interests. Fie spent much of his time in 
traveling with his wife, who was in deli- 
cate health, they visiting many portions of 
this country in the hope that she might be 
benefited therel:)y. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hoopes had no children 
but reared Mary R. Scott from a little six 
year old girl, who made her home with them 
until her marriage to J. A. Cunningham, 
who is represented elsewhere in this A'olume. 



66 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Mr. Hoopes was a man of benevolent spirit, 
charitable in tlionghl and action, and many 
liave reason to rememlier liim for the kindly 
assistance he rendered in their liour of need. 
No man ever accused Thomas Hoopes of 
taking unfair advantage of his fellow men 
or of performing any act that was not strict 
ly honorable. While not a church member, 
his life was governed by the most rigid prin- 
ciples of honesty and morality. The golden 
rule was his guide through life and he de- 
spised all unworthy or questionable means 
to secure success in any undertaking for any 
purpose. In his political views he was first 
a Whig and afterward a Republican, but tht 
honors of emoluments of office had no at- 
traction for him. His wife passed away 
April 25, 1886, and his death occurred Oc- 
tober 4, 1893. He left an estate valued at 
more than half a million dollars, which in- 
dicated his activity in business, his careful 
investment and keen discernment, but more 
than this he left a legacy to the state one 
of its beautiful and thriving towns; to the 
town he left the result of labors for the gen- 
eral good ; to his friends the memory of a 
kindly spirit; and to humanity the example 
of a life of untarnished honor. 



WTLLIAM T. CUNNINGHAM. 

William T. Cunningham is a financier 
of \'ermilion county who has had marked 
influence in tinancial circles here, his ef- 
forts being a potent element in promoting 
business activity and the consequent pros- 
perity of this portion of the state. Through 
long years he has been engaged in merchan- 
dising and banking in Rossville and is also 
connected through ownership with the bank- 



ing interests of Danville. Recently lie has 
taken up his abode in the latter city, being 
one of the founders of the Commercial 
Trust & Savings Bank. 

Mr. Cunningham was born near the city. 
December i, 1856, and is a son of Humes 
Cunningham, representing one of the pioneer 
families of Illinois. The grandfather, Will- 
iam Cunningham, came from Kentucky to 
Vermilion county at a very early day and 
Humes was born and reared upon a farm 
here. When he had reached years of ma- 
turitv he wedded Elizabeth Winning, a 
daughter of Thomas R. Winning, Avho also 
became a resident of \^ermilion county at 
an early epoch in its history. Mr. Cunning- 
ham devoted his energies to farm work and 
carried on the work of plowing, planting and 
harvesting until his death, which occurred in 
1859, when the subject of this review was 
a child of only two years. His wife also 
passed away in 1857. 

William T. Cunningham of this review 
thus left an orphan, was reared by his ma- 
ternal grandparents and in the schools of 
Rossville and Danville he pursued his edu- 
cation. After arriving at mature years he 
engaged in clerking and eventually became 
owner of a mercantile establishment, carry- 
ing on active business in different lines in 
Rossville until 1901. Associated with Mr. 
Campbell in 1891, he established the old 
Citizens Hank of Rossville and afterward 
purchased his partner's interest. Later he 
admitted Mr. Christman to a partnership in 
the business and by these gentlemen the liank 
was conducted. In 1900 that business war 
re-organized and merged into the First Na- 
tional Bank of Rossville, of which Mr. Cun- 
ningham is one of the directors. He be- 
came a stockholder, aided in organizing the 
institution and was elected to the official posi- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



69 



tion which he now fills. He has also had real 
estate interests, having bought and sold dif- 
ferent farms in the county and at the pres- 
ent time gives his personal supervision to 
the management of his farms near Ross- 
ville. He was one of the organizers of the 
Commercial Trust & Savings Bank of Dan- 
ville, being associated in this enterprise with 
Mr. Christman. This bank was capitalized 
at one hundred thousand dollars and is a 
new institution of the city, having been 
opened for business on the 22d of Januarj', 
1903, with Mr. Cunningham as president 
and T. F. Christman, cashier. In the con- 
duct of all of the enterprises with which 
he has been associated he has proved him- 
self a successful business man and far-sighted 
financier and his probity and personal worth 
stand as unquestioned facts in his career. 

In the year 1880, in Rossville, Mr. Cun- 
ningham was married to Jennie Foulke, who 
was born, reared and educated in Rossville. 
Her death occurred in Danville in February, 
1883, and in 1888 Mr. Cunningham was 
again married, his second union being with 
Orrie L. Albright, who was born, reared and 
educated in this county and also attended 
college in Ohio. Her father, Samuel Al- 
bright, was one of the early settlers of Ver- 
milion county and died in Rossville in 1902. 
The marriage of our subject and his wife 
has been blessed with three children, Thoma? 
A., Irene M. and Willard T. 

Politically Mr. Cunningham is a Demo- 
crat where national issues are involved and 
at local elections he votes independently, 
supporting the men whom he thinks best 
qualified for ofiice, regardless of party affil- 
iations. He has given his time and atten- 
tion to extensive business interests and has 
therefore had no desire to seek public office. 
He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fra- 



ternity of Rossville and his wife is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. On 
the opening of the bank in Danville they 
remo\'ed to the city and already our subject 
has been recognized as a leading representa- 
tive of financial interests here, because of the 
reputation which he has borne throughout 
Vermilion count}' for many years. He has 
ever taken an active interest in whatever 
has pertained to the general good and has 
gi\'en his hearty co-operation to many meas- 
ures for the public benefit. His business 
afifairs have been carefully and capably 
managed. He manifests keen discrim- 
ination, unfaltering perseverance and 
his judgment is rarely, if ever, at 
fault. Intricate business questions he com- 
prehends readily, forms his plans after ma- 
ture deliberation and then carries them for- 
ward with dispatch. As the years have 
passed he has thus prospered and to-day 
is one of the leading financiers of Ver- 
milion county. 



L. ANGUS CAMERON. 

§ 

L. Angus Cameron, a well known resi- 
dent of Grant township living near Hoope- 
ston, was born in southern Ohio, on the 
13th of January, 1852. His father. Chris- 
tian Cameron, was a native of the same lo- 
cality, and was a son of Alexander Cam- 
eron. The great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject was Daniel or Donald Cameron, who 
came from Scotland to America soon after 
the Revolutinary war. He married a sister 
of Simon Cameron, who was secretary of 
war under President Lincoln. He brought 
with him from the old country two church 
letters giving evidence of his membership 



70 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



and good standing in tlie Presbyterian 
cliurch. He lived an earnest Christian life 
and the family have always been noted for 
their loyalty to Christian teachings and their 
active work in behalf of the church. 

Christian Cameron was also a native 
of southern Ohio, and after arriving ai 
years of maturity lie wedded Miss Esther 
Core, who was one of a family of thir- 
teen children. Her father, John Core, was 
a native of Maryland, while her mother was 
of Pennsylvania German parentage. L. An- 
gus Cameron of this review is one of a 
family of eight children : Elizabeth, now 
deceased; Catherine; Sudie, who has also 
passed away ; John ; Anna ; Angus ; Emma ; 
and Rose, who has also departed this life. 
In the county of his nativity Mr. Cam- 
eron of this review was reared to manhood, 
spending his youth upon his father's farm 
and pursuing his education in the public 
schools. After arriving at years of matur- 
ity he was married and lived for four years 
thereafter upon a farm in the Buckeye state. 
It was on Christmas day of 1875 that his 
marriage to jMiss Mary James was cele- 
brated. The lady is a daughter of Samuel 
and Margaret (McCann) James, the latter 
coming of a family of Scotch-Irish ances- 
try. Mrs. Cameron is one of seven chil- 
dren, namely : Amarillus ; John, deceased ; 
Catherine; Eliza, who has also passed 
away; Mary; Sarah; Lucy; and Henry, the 
last named being also deceased. The history 
of the James family in America dates back 
to a very early epoch in the development of 
this country. 

In November, 1882, Mr. Cameron 
brought his family to Illinois, settling in 
Vermili<in county, at the place of his pres- 
ent residence in Grant township. When a 
young man he engaged in teaching school 



for four years, but with this exception he 
lias always carried on agricultural pursuits 
and his work has been attended with a grat- 
ifying degree of success. He lives on his 
father's farm of two hundred acres of land; 
which he has placed under a high state of 
cultivation, the farm being a rich and pro- 
ductive tract. Everything about the place 
is neat and attracti\e in appearance and is 
indicative of the careful supervision and 
progressive spirit of the owner. The home 
of Mr. and Mrs. Cameron has been blessed 
with eleven children : Rosy, born April 14, 
1877; Sudie, born August 27, 1878; Lucy, 
born July 10, 1880; Ann E., born May 4. 
1882; Chris, born April 29, 1884; Esther, 
born June 10, 1886; Ruth, born March 20. 
1888; John, born May 3, 1890; Kate, born 
May 7. 1892; Ralph, born ^lay 2, 1894; 
and Ruby, born July 8, 1896. 

In his political views ^Ir. Cameron i; 
a stalwart Republican, having supported the 
party since he attained his majority. He 
has ne\-er wavered in his allegiance to its 
principles, yet he has never sought or cared 
for public office, content to do his duty as 
a private citizen. He and his family are 
all members of the United Brethren chmx-h, 
in the work of which he takes an active and 
helpful interest. He has served as trustee 
steward, Sunday-school superintendent and 
class leader, and puts forth every effort in 
his power to promote the cause of the church. 



CHARLES A. ALLEN. 

The name of Charles A. .\llen figures 
conspicuously upon the pages of the legisla- 
tive history of Illinois. An enumeration of 
the men of the present generation who have 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



73 



wi)!! honor and public recognition for them- 
sehes and at the same time have honored 
the state to which they belong, would be 
incomplete were there failure to make promi 
nent reference to the one whose name intro- 
duces this review. For eighteen years he 
has been a member of the state legislature, 
and has ever manifested a deep interest in 
those cpiestions which are to the statesman 
and the man of affairs, of vital importance 
to the commonweafth and to the nation. 
While undoubtedly he has not been without 
that personal ambition which is the spur of 
energy and without which little would be ac- 
complished in life, his patriotic attachment 
to his country is even greater and he has 
ever placed the country's good before self- 
aggrandizement. Thus. o\-er the record of 
his public career there falls no shadow of 
wrong and while he has awakened envy and 
criticism such as always comes to the man 
who figures prominaitly before the public 
the citizens who know him best have mani- 
fested their confidence in his worth and work 
by repeatedly electing him to represent them 
in the council chamber of the state. 

^Ir. Allen was born in Danville in the 
year 1851. His father, \\'illiam I. Allen, 
was a native of Ohio, and a farmer b)' occu- 
pation. Coming to Illinois he entered land 
at Hoopeston, having three thousand acres, 
and upon this farm took up his abode. Later 
he became interested in banking and at the 
time of the "wildcat" currency his financial 
afifairs became involved and he lost all that 
he had made. By profession he was a law- 
yer and at an early day he practiced in Dan- 
ville at a time when Abraham Lincoln was 
also often seen in the courts of the city. He 
married Miss Emily Newell, a daughter of 
James Newell, a prominent early settler of 



Newell township, \'ermilion county, who 
aided in laying the foundation for the prog- 
ress and development in this portion of the 
state. Her father died at an advanced age 
and was laid to rest in Gro\-e cemetery in 
the town of Newell, in 1846. 

Charles A. Allen was reared upon a farm 
in Ross township, Vermilion county, and 
pursued his education in the common schools 
of that township. He afterward engaged in 
teaching school and in this way provided the 
money necessary to defray the expenses of 
a college education. Determining to make 
the practice of law his life work he began 
reading with this end in view and later en- 
tered the State University of Michigan, at 
Ann Arbor , as a student of the law depart- 
ment, graduating in the spring of 1873 ^"'^ 
that same year he was admitted to the bar. 
■ He gained distinction as a lawyer because 
of his comprehensive knowledge of juris- 
prudence, his careful preparation of cases 
and his thorough understanding of techni- 
calities as well as the equity of the suit with 
which he was connected. It is a noticeable 
fact that lawyers are more prominently be- 
fore the public in connection with official 
service than any other one class of men. The 
reason for this is obvious, because the train- 
ing which fits them for the practice of law 
also prepares them for duties which lie out- 
side the strict path of their profession. They 
are apt to look upon a question from many 
standpoints, to view judiciously every mat 
ter that comes up before them for settle- 
ment and to give a more fair and unbiased 
judgment than is often rendered by men 
in other walks of life. The native talent 
and ability of Mr. Allen won for him the 
attention of his fellow men and in 1884 he 
was called upon to represent his district in 



74 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



the state legislature of Illinois, where he 
has served continuously since, covering a 
period of eighteen years. His name figures 
conspicuously and prominently upon the 
legislative records and he has been the pro- 
moter of many measures which have found 
their way to the statute books of the state. 
He is a fearless champion of whatever course 
he believes to be right and his loyal defense 
of his honest convictions is one of the strong 
elements of his success in political circles. 
Perhaps his name came into more general 
prominence in connection w'ith what is 
known as the Allen bill than through any 
other measure. This was the street railway 
bill which he promoted giving to the city 
councils and boards of supervisors the right 
of granting franchises not exceeding fifty 
years. The present law limits this term to 
franchise to twenty years. The bill which 
Mr. Allen promoted and fathered was car- 
ried by both houses and signed by the gov- 
ernor, but was repealed with the next session 
of the legislature, Mr. Allen being the only 
man who voted against the repeal. Ver- 
milion county has profited largely by his 
efforts in its behalf and upon the floor of the 
house Mr. Allen is known as an active work- 
ing member deeply interested in his party's 
success, but placing the general good be- 
fore personal partisanship. In 1878 was 
celebrated the marriage of Charles A. Allen 
and Miss Mary Thompson, a daughter of 
L. M. Thompson, of Rossville. and they 
now have three children : John Newell and 
Lawrence T., both of whom are law stu- 
dents, and Esther Mary. 

From 1875 until 1881 Mr. Allen prac- 
ticed law in Rossville and then came la 
Hoopeston where he has since lived. At 
the present time, however, he is not actively 
connected with the legal profession, giving 



his attention to his legislative work and to 
the supervision of his invested interests. He 
owns twelve hundred acres of land in Ver- 
milion county, fifteen hundred acres in Ful- 
ton county, Indiana, and has extensive in- 
\estments in gold and silver mining prop- 
erty in Arizona, being one of fi\'e men who 
constitute the Black Rock Gold and Copper 
Mining Company. His pleasant and at- 
tract i\-e home in Hoopeston is located on 
Washington street. ]\Ir. Allen is a valued 
member of the Masonic fraternity, the 
Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Wood- 
men of America. He is a generous and lib- 
eral contributor to the churches and worthy 
institutions, and the poor and needy find in 
him a warm friend. A well known visitor 
of the Old Settlers' Home, he often ad- 
dresses such gatherings and takes a deep 
interest in preserving the records of the 
early development and progress of the state. 
During campaigns he does effective work 
in the interest of the Republican party upon 
the stump and is an orator of ability, a ready, 
fluent, logical and convincing speaker. While 
Mr. Allen is to-day one of the most pros- 
perous and distinguished citizens of Ver- 
milion county, he deserves to be classed 
among the honored men who have achieved 
their own advancement. His education was 
acquired as the result of his own labors and 
his prominence has come to him in direct 
recognition of his merit, ability, and earnest 
purpose. Viewed in a personal light, Charles 
A. Allen is a strong n\an of excellent judg- 
ment, fair in his views and highly honorable 
in his relations with his fellow men. His 
integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in 
his career. His life has been manlv, his 
actions sincere, his manner unaffected, 
and his example is well worthy of emu- 
lation. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



75 



GEORGE T. BUCKINGHAM. 

George T. Buckingham is one of the 
distinguished lawyers of the Vermilion 
county bar and is also prominent in the busi- 
ness and political history of this portion of 
the state. Danvill^ claims him as one of 
its honored and representative citizens, 
whose efforts in its behalf have been most 
effective and beneficial. He is a native of 
Delphi. Indiana, born April 4, 1864, anil 
is a son of T. W. and Helen A. (Clark). 
Buckingham, the former a native of Ohio 
and the latter of New York, but both are 
now residents of this town. The first rep- 
resentati\'e of the family to come to Amer- 
ica was the Rev. Thomas Buckingham, who 
several centuries ago crossed the Atlantic 
and settled in New Haven, Connecticut. He 
was prominent in the affairs of that colony 
and was one of the fotmders of Yale col- 
lege. Another distinguished representative 
of the same family was General William 
Buckingham, the famous war governor oi' 
Connecticut and probably the most promi- 
nent members in the subject's history. Helen 
A. Buckingham, the mother of our subject, 
was a descendant of General Emmet Clark, 
and in the maternal line was descended from 
General Luther Tillotson, of New York. 
Colonel Buckingham, of this review, is the 
third of a family of five children, namely : 
Ella B., the wife of George A. ISIay; j\Irs. 
J. E. P. Butz ; George T. ; Mrs. Robert P. 
Harmon; and Clyde, who is business man- 
ager of the Globe, a newspaper published at 
Joplin, Missouri. 

Colonel Buckingham obtained his early 
education in Ladoga, Indiana, and subse- 
quently matriculated in the Central Indiana 
Normal, after which he was variously em- 
ployed in obtaining a living. In the mean- 



time he took up the study of law under the 
direction of Colonel W. J. Calhoun. In 
1889 he served as chief clerk in the house 
of representatives of Illinois and was in the 
government employ from 1890 until 1894, 
during which time he was stationed at var- 
ious parts of New York, San Francisco, 
Mexico and Europe. He has practiced law 
in Danville since 1894 and has gained a 
prominent place as a representative of the 
bar. 

While Mr. Buckingham has won an en- 
\-iable position as a leading lawyer of Ver- 
milion county he has also been identified 
with many local enterprises and with im- 
portant public work and political service. 
He is a stockholder in the Ike Stern Com- 
pany and the Danville Department Store. 
He is also an extensive dealer in real estate 
and was instrumental in founding the su- 
burban town of Oak Lawn, and was identi- 
fied with the establishment of the interur- 
ban railroad system of Danville and vi- 
cinity. 

In November, 1893, ^Ir. Buckingham 
was united in marriage to Victoria Donlon, 
a daughter of John and Virginia (Holton) 
Donlon. This marriage has been blessed 
with one son, Tracy. Fraternally Mr. Buck- 
ingham is connected with the Masonic Or 
der, with the Knights of Pythias, with the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 
and with the Modern Woodmen of America. 
He also belongs to the Chamber of Com- 
merce in Danville and to the Union League 
Club of Chicago. In politics he has always 
been an earnest and stalwart supporter of 
the Republican party. For four years, 
from 1897 until 1901, he served as a trus- 
tee of the Kankakee Insane Asylum under 
Governor Tanner and he was appointed by 
G(ivernor Yates as one of the commission- 



76 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ers of the Joliet penitentiary and was elected 
president of the board. He is also a niem- 
her of tlie staff of Governor Yates with 
the rank of colonel, having been appointed 
to the position in April, 1901. Few mer. 
are more prominently or more widely 
kndwn, in the enterprising city of Danville 
than Colonel Buckingham. He has beer 
an important factor in business circles and 
his popularity is well deserved, as in him 
arc embraced the characteristics of an un- 
bending integrity, unabating energy and in- 
dustry that never flags. He is a public-spir- 
ited and thoroughly interested in whatever 
tends to promote tlie moral, intellectual and 
material welfare of \'ermilion countv. 



WTLLIAAl B. REDDEX. 

Character and abilitv will come to the 
front everywhere. As boy and man many 
a one has been beset by difliculties and has 
had almost unsurmountable obstacles thrust 
in his path, l)ut perseverance has cleared 
them away and he has gone on to success. 
Such has been the record of William B. 
Redden, now extensi^•ely engaged in real 
estate dealing in Rossville, where he also 
devotes some time to the practice of law, 
being a member of the legal profession of 
\'ermilion county, during the past twelve 
years. 

Born in Fountain county, Indiana, on 
th': 6th of October, 1855, he is a son of 
jchn Redden, whose birth occurred near 
Maysville. Kentuck} , July 9. 1829. His 
grandfather. \Mlliam Redden, was one of 
the pioneer settlers of Kentucky and snbse- 
ffuently remo\-ed to Indiana, becoming one 
of the earliest residents of Fountain countv. 



Amid the wild scenes of pioneer life there 
the father of our subject was reared, shar- 
ing in all the hardships incident to the fron- 
tier. He wedded Catherine Anderson, a 
nati\-e of Fountain countv, and a daughter 
of John Anderson, another early settler of 
that locality, who remoxed from \'irginia 
about 1820. After his marriage John Red- 
den turned his attention to agricultural pur- 
suits and for several years carried on his 
farm work in Indiana. After the l)irth of 
three of their children he and his wife came 
with their family to Illinc.iis. settling near 
Rossville in i860. There the fatlier cleared 
a tract of land and improved a farm, upon 
which he reared his children. He is now 
living retired in Rossville and is a hale, 
hearty and venerable man of seventy-three 
years. 

\\'illiam B. Redden is the eldest in a 
family of two sons and two daughters, all 
of whom are yet living, are married and 
ha\e families of their own. He was not 
yet fi\-e years of age when brought by his 
parents to Vermilion county and hence he 
has little recollection of their other home. 
He attaided the common schools, but is 
largely self-educated, as well as a self-made 
man for his pri\-ileges for acquiring knowl- 
edge in the school room were verj- limited. 
When a young man on the farm he bega 
reading law, believing that he would like to 
enter the profession and make the practice 
of law his life work. I-'or some years he 
prosecuted his studies under great diflicul- 
ties and amid discouraging circumstances, 
but this brought forth the elemental stregth 
of his character and gave evidence of the 
l)erseverancc of purpose and unflngging de- 
termination and ambition which have proved 
imporfnt elements in his success in lalei 
life. Subsec|uently he went to \'eedcrs- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



77 



burg, Indiana, where he conducted a branch 
law office for the Honorable \\". H. ]\Ial- 
lor}', a prominent attorney of Danville. He 
was admitted to the bar in Veedersburg in 
February, 1889, and tried his first case a'l 
that place. Later he returned to Illinois, 
locating on a farm west of Rossville, where 
he carried on agricultural pursuits for ter. 
years. In January, 1890, however, he left 
the farm in order to take up his residence 
in the town and here he has since engaged 
in the practice of law and in the real-estate 
business, giving the greater part of his time 
to his operations in property. He has 
bought and sold many farms in A'ermilion 
and Iroquois counties and has also handled 
some farm land in Indiana. He has a broad 
and comprehensive knowledge of the value 
of real estate in this portion of Illinois and 
his dealings have been attended with grat- 
ifying success. He commenced life a poor 
boy, empty-handed, but steadily he has 
climbed the ladder of success. The very 
difficulties in his path seemed to serve as an 
impetus for renewed effort and with strong 
purpose he has pushed his way forward un- 
til he now stands among the prosperous 
men of Rossville, strong in his honor and 
his good name as well as in his prosperity. 
On the 30th of March, 1879, Mr. Red- 
den was united in marriage to Miss Sarah 
E. Remster. a native of Fountain county, 
Indiana, and a daughter of Andrew Rem- 
ster, who was one of the pioneer settlers 
of that county. I-'our children have graced 
this nmrriage : Carter G., who is now a 
law student in his senior vear. in the Mich- 
igan University, at Ann Arlior; Forrest, 
a student in the Rossville high school ; I\Ta- 
bel ; and James. WHien age conferred upon 
^Ir. Redden the right of franchise he en- 
dorsed the jirinciples of the Jeft'ersnn Dem- 



mocracy, casting his ballot for S. J. Til- 
den for president in 1876. He has since 
voted for each presidential nominee of the 
Democracy and has done all in his power 
to promote the growth and insure the suc- 
cess of his party. In 1896 he served as a 
delegate to the national convention and has 
been a delegate to numerous county and 
state conventions, his opinions carrying 
weight in the party councils. He is a Mas- 
ter Mason and in his life exemplifies tlie 
lieneficent and helpful spirit of that fra- 
ternity. His life history proves conclusively 
what may be accomplished when one has 
the will to try and to do; and his example, 
showing the force of industry and an up- 
right character, is well worthy of emulation. 



L. E. SNAPP & SONS. 

This \\-ell known firm of Georgetown 
has been engaged in business here since 
1 88 1 as buyers and shippers of poultry, but- 
ter and eg'gs. Thcxsenior member is a rep- 
resentative of one of the old families of 
\^ermilion county and he was born in- 
Georgetown, October 3, 1850, his parents 
being William and Mary J. (LaMar) 
Snapp, the former a native of Tennessee 
and the latter of Virginia. At an early day 
in the development of this part of Illinois 
the father came to Vermilion count\' and 
purchased a farm where the village of 
Georgetown now stands. He then turned 
his attention tc agricultural ijursuits, which 
he carried fin there until 1853. when he \\'as 
killed in a wind storm. His widow still 
sur\-i\-es him and. now resides with a son in 
Irociuois count}'. Illinois. In their family 
were three children : Geors'e W., who \?, 



78 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



now a railroad man, living in Iroquois 
county; Ella, the wife of Wesley Houck, 
a resident of Oregon ; and Louis E. All 
received comniun-schoul advantages in this 
county. 

Louis E. Snapp, like the others, attend- 
ed the public schools until fourteen years of 
age, when he began earning his (iwn li\ing 
by working at any employment which would 
yield him an honest dollar. In 1875 he mar- 
ried Miss Margaret F. Bedinger, of \'ir- 
ginia, a daughter of Daniel Bedinger, who 
was a farmer of Vermilion county, but is 
now deceased. L'nto Mr. and Mrs. Snapp 
have been born four children : Robert A., 
born in January, 1877, is now engaged in 
the poultry business in partnership with liis 
father. He married Gay Edith Myers and 
they have one child, Marion. William D., 
also a partner with his father, wedded Ly- 
dia Outland. and they have one daughter. 
Olive. Jessie L. and George are the younger 
members of the family. 

After his marriage Mr. Snapp engaged 
in contracting and other lines of business 
and eventually became interested in the Uun- 
ber trade, l)uying timber and logs, which 
he con\-erted into lumber for the market. 
He was thus engaged until 1881, when he 
began dealing in poultry and as soon as his 
sons became of age he admitted them to 
an interest in the business as equal partners. 
He now has poultry houses in Georgetown. 
Fairmount, and Cayuga, Indiana, and em- 
ploys from eight to ten men in the conduct 
of the enterprise. A number of poultry 
wagons are continuallv ke|)t on the road, 
buying butter, eggs and ])(>ultry of the 
farmers throughout this section of the state 
and Indiana. The poultry is dressed here 
and shipments are made only to the markets 
of New York, Boston and Philadelphia 



The business has now assumed extensive 
proportions and his annual sales have reach- 
ed a large figure. 

Air. Snapp votes with the Republican 
part}'. He has never been an office seeker 
nor has he held a political position. So- 
cially he is connected with the Woodmen of 
America, and with the Knights of Pythias, 
bel(jnging to the lodges in Georgetown. 
Since entering upon his business career he 
has been very successful and is now a prom- 
inent man of tliis place. He owns a beauti- 
ful residence in the eastern part of the vil- 
lage near the poultry house and his sons are 
located in the same neighborhood. Mr. 
Snapp through his business relations and 
othenvise has become widely known, es- 
pecially to the farming community of Ver- 
milion county and all recognize in him a re- 
liable business man, whose energy and de- 
termination is supplemented by fair dealing. 



C. B. DE LONG. 



Perliaps no resident of Fithian has left 
his impress in a greater degree upon the 
business development and the consequent 
prosperity of the town than has Mr. De Long. 
His financial and mercantile interests there 
have been and are of an important charac- 
ter and he is a representative of that class 
of representative citizens who, while pro- 
moting individual success also contribute in 
a large measure to the general prosperity 
and upbuilding. 

Mr. De Long was born in Philo, Illinois, 
July 29, 1863, and belongs to that branch 
of the De Long family of which the famous 
Arctic explorer was also a representative. 
His father, C. G. De Long, is a native of 



TPIE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



8i 



New York, his birth having occurred near 
Utica. In Racine, \Msconsin, he wedded 
Edna Moore, a native of Alassachusetts. 
\\ hen bnt a boy he had acconipanieil liis 
parents to Racine and was there educatetl 
in the pubhc schools. He afterward engageii 
in farming and took his bride to the farm 
There lie continued to make his home until 
1863, w hen he removed to Philo, Champaign 
county, Illinois. In that locality he pur- 
chased two hundred acres of very rich and 
productive land and in addition to this he 
owns a large tract of land in the irrigated^ 
section of Colorado. He is a wide-awake 
and enterprising business man whose keen 
discernment and unflagging industry have 
been potent forces in his success. A stanch 
Republican in politics, he does all in his 
power to promote the growth of his party, 
yet has always refused to hold office. He 
belongs to the Presbyterian church and is a 
man of prominence in his community. He 
and his wife have a family of six sons and 
two daughters: George A., a banker, re- 
siding in Foosland, Champaign county ; I". 
B., of Fithian ; Effie, who resides at home 
and formerly was a teacher in the public 
schools; Minnie, the wife of Eugene Burr, 
of Philo, Illinois; C. E.. who carries on 
farming at Rocky Ford, Colorado; Clarence, 
who died at the age of twenty-three years ; 
W. H., who is engaged in the banking and 
grain business at Sadorus, Champaign 
county; and E. B., who is in partnersliip 
with his brother W. H. 

Mr. De Long, whose name introiluces 
this record, pursued his education at home, 
in the public schools of Champaign county 
and in a business college, where he was 
graduated with the class of 1885. In the 
spring of that year he became connected 
with the grain trade at Strawn, Illinois, 



where he remained until the fall of 1886. 
He then came to Vermilion county, settling 
in Fithian, where he embarked in the grain 
business, purchasing and rebuilding the Rob- 
inson elevator. He is still extensively con- 
nected with the grain trade and owns an 
elevator at Bronson, in Oakwood township, 
in addition to the one which he has in Fith- 
ian. .\ man of resourceful business ability 
and energy, however, he has not confined 
his attention to one line of activity, but has 
extended his efforts into other fields. He is 
now engaged in the insurance business and 
he owns a large warehouse well stocked with 
farm implements, his trade in this direction 
being no unimportant one. On the ist of 
May, 1895, he established the Bank of Fith- 
ian, which he still conducts, and it has be- 
come a valued and important financial in- 
stitution of his locality. He owns six hun- 
dred and forty acres of land near Rochester, 
in Fulton county, Indiana, and four hun- 
dred and eighty acres in Regina, Assiniboia, 
Canada. The new interurban system con- 
necting Danville, Urbana and Champaign 
has taken a great deal of Mr. De Long's 
time during the past year as it was due to 
his efiforts that the route now in use was 
chosen. At first it was the intention to bring 
the road from St. Joseph to Homer and then 
along the Wabash Railroad to Danville but 
owing to the activity of Mr. DeLong that 
route was abandoned and the road now fol- 
lows the Big Four Railroad from St. Jos- 
eph to Danville, touching Ogden, Fithian, 
Muncie, Bronson, Oakwood, Bates Town 
and Vermilion Heights. Mr. De Long was 
the man who secured the right of way for 
the company along this route. 

On the 8th of October, 1891, in Fithian, 
was performed the marriage ceremony which 
united the destinies of C. B. De Lone and 



82 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Miss Minnie Berkenbusch, who was born 
in this town Febrnarv 3, 1873, a daughter 
of Henry and Sarah (Stephenson) Berken- 
busch, the former a native of Germany and 
the kitter of Vermilion county. Her parents 
were also married in Filhian and iierc re- 
side. The father was a soUhcr (>i tlie Civil 
war, defending the Union cause, and in poh- 
tics he is now independent. Mrs. De Long, 
their only chikl, has become the mother ol 
two chiklren by her marriage: Rutli, bom 
November 14, 1894; and Ckirencc, born July 

23, 1897- 

In his political views Mr. De Long is a 
Republican, and his fratei-nal relations con- 
nect him with the Modern Woodmen of 
America. He also belongs to the Methodist 
Episcopal church and is interested in what- 
ever pertains to the general good along ma- 
terial, social, intellectual and moral lines. 
He has led a very busy life and his marked 
enterprise has made him one of the most 
prosperous residents of his community. He 
has excellent aljility as an organizer, forms 
his plans readily and in their execution is 
determined, prompt and reliable. This en- 
ables him to conquer obstacles which would 
deter almost any man, and it has been one 
of the salient features in his success. 



GUS M. GREENEBAUM. 

In past ages the history of a country 
was the record of wars and conquests; to- 
day it is the record of commercial activity, 
and those whose names are foremost in its 
annals are the leaders in business circles. 
The conquests now made are those of mind 
over matter, not of man over man. and the 
victor is he who can successfully estal)lish. 



conlrnl and operate extensive commercial 
interests. Gus M. Greenebaum is one oi 
the strong and inlluential men whose lives 
have become an essential part of the history 
of \'crmilion county. Tireless energ)-, keen 
perception, honesty of purpose, genius for 
devising and executing the right thing al 
the right time, joined to every-day common 
sense, guided by great will power, are the 
chief characteristics of the man. He is now 
closely connected with various important 
mercantile interests of Danville and his ef- 
forts in this direction have contributed 
largely to the commercial prosperity and 
upbuilding of this state, in fact a large ma- 
jority of the citizens here would give to 
]Mr. Greenebaum the credit for the increased 
acti\ity which ])an\ille has enjoyed in busi' 
ness circles in recent years. 

Mr. Greenebaum is a native of Chicago 
— the city marvelous. He was born Sep- 
tember 21, 1863. and is a son of ]\Iichae'. 
Greenebaum. who in 1846 removed from 
Xew York to Chicago and for ma^iy years 
conducted a large wholesale hardware busi- 
ness there, becoming a leading merchant of 
that city. He was also the founder and 
president of the Zion Literary Society, 
which was organized in May, 1887, and was 
well known as a proprietor of many enter- 
prises that contributed to the general good 
along material, intellectual and moral lines. 
He married Sarah Spcigcl, a sister of Col- 
onel M. ]\1. Speigel, of Ohio, and the> 
reareil a family of ten children, of whom 
the subject of this review is the seventh 
child. ?ilichael Greenebaum departed this 
life in 1894. at the age of seventy-one years, 
and his wife died in 1897 at the age of 
sixty-nine years. 

Educated in the public schools of his 
native citv Gus M. Greenebaum completed 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



83 



his course in tiie West Division high school, 
with the class of 1879. He then entered the 
employ of his father in the wholesale hard- 
ware business in Chicago, where he con- 
tinued until 1S90, when he became asso- 
ciated with Charles Friend, under the firm 
name of Friend, Greenebaum & Company 
in the conduct of a commission house. They 
dealt in wool and leather, carrying on busi- 
ness until April, 1897, when on account of 
ill health Mr. Greenebaum withdrew from 
the firm and removed to Danville. Here 
he purchased an interest in the store of 
Ike Stern & Company, dealers in clothing 
and men's furnishing goods. He became 
secretary and treasurer of the company and 
in May, 1902, he purchased the interest of 
A. Appel in the store and also became Mr. 
Appel's successor in the Danville Depart- 
ment store. These two large stores were 
then consolidated in 1903 with Mr. Greene- 
baum as president and active manager, and 
the business is now occupying enlarged 
quarters, fronting on both West Main and 
Vermilion streets, covering sixty-five thou- 
sand feet of floor space. This arrangement 
makes a high grade department store as 
large as any found outside the city of Chi- 
cago. It is the outgrowth of a business 
established thirty years ago by Ike Stern, 
who died in 1897. I" the enlargement and 
control of this enterprise Mr. GreeneDaum 
has displayed splendid business ability, keen 
discrimination, sound judgment and execu- 
tive force. 

In the spring of 1899 our subject was 
elected president of the Chamber of Com- 
merce and has been re-elected each year since. 
During this time the organization has dou- 
bled its membership and has been a most 
important factor in the progress of Dan- 
ville during these years. By his renomina- 



tion Mr. Greenebaum was complimented as 
one of Dan\-i lie's most popular and enter- 
prising business men. On account of addi- 
tional business duties that have recently de- 
volved upon him he desired to retire fron: 
the presidency but his ser\-ices were consid- 
ered so valuable that the members of the 
organization felt that they could not dis- 
pense with them and he was urged to remain 
in the ofiice. The Chamber of Commerce 
has indeed done much for the city and great 
credit is due our subject, who, though con- 
trolling extensive interests in other direc- 
tions, has given much of his time and atten- 
tion to the performance of the duties of the 
ofiice. The business men of Danville com- 
posing the membership of the Chamber of 
Commerce knew of no one likely to make 
as good a president and despite his urgent 
j-equest to be permitted to retire he was re- 
nominated in 1902 without a dissenting 
voice. It is safe to say that he will keep 
the Chamber of Commerce up to its present 
high standard and that it will coninue to 
be an active factor in the development of 
the commercial possibilities of this city. He 
is also the national vice-president of the 
Good Roads Assocation of Illinois, to which 
position he was re-elected for two years' 
service. He is also one of the promoters 
of the Danville, Paxton & Northern Inter- 
urltan Electric line and was a member of its 
first board of directors. 

On the 7th of September, 1886, occurred 
the marriage of Mr. Greenebaum and :Miss 
Leah Friend, a daughter of Nathan Friend, 
of Chicago. Their union has been blessed 
with three children : James, and Harold 
and Robert, who are twins. In his social 
relations Mr. Greenebaum is connected with 
the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks ; Chicago Lodge, No. 437, F. & A. M. ; 



84 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Iroquois Lodge, Xo. Sj, of the Xational 
Union of Chicago. Reared amid the spirit 
of business activity and enterprise, wiiicli 
has led to the wonderful development of 
Chicago, he became imbued with that spirit 
and has infused it into the business life of 
his adopted city. Mr. (jrccnehaum has made 
good use of his opportunities, he has pros- 
pered form year to year, and has conducted 
all business matters carefully and success- 
fully, and in all his acts displays an apti- 
tude for successful management. He ha.' 
not permitted the accumulation of a com- 
petence to affect in any way his actions 
toward those less successful than he. and 
has always a cheerful word and ])lcasant 
smile for all whom he comes in contact. 



ALBA HOXEYWELL. 

.\ witness of many and a participant in 
some of the ad\-entures which have found 
their way to the pages of hi.story during 
mure than three-([uarters of a centurv of 
the world's ]jrogress. Alba Honeywell is en- 
titled to distinction and to honorable men- 
tion in the record of \'ermilion county. He 
came here in pioneer times and from the 
primiti\-e past to the progressive present he 
has lal)ored earnestly and effectively toward 
the prdniotiun of the best interests and the 
substantial development of this part of the 
state. Long has he resided in Hoopeston, 
an honored patriarch of the community. To 
bim there has cume the attainment of a dis- 
tinguished position in connection with the 
extensixe business interests of the commun- 
ity and in controlling such he has become 
one of the real upbuilders of the town. 

A native of ("avuga countv. Xew 'N'drk. 



Mr. Honeywell was born December 15, 1821. 
.and his father, Enc^ch Honeywell, was born 
in Westchester county, Xew \'ork, in 1787. 
His educati(;n was largely acquired in that 
county and upon approaching manhood he 
engaged in the manufacture of patent wheel 
beads for spinning. This proved a very 
paying enterprise. With marked business 
foresight he realized the future of the west 
and that a man w ho hatl enterprise enough to 
take ad\antage of the opportunities there 
might att.ain to a position of marked afflu- 
ence. Accordingly, in 1816, he made his 
way into Indiana and entered one hundred 
and si.xty acres of wild land, embracing the 
present site of the city of Terre Haute, where 
he estalilished a h(5me and lived for several 
years until malaria drove bim awav. In the 
meantime he engaged in farming and ship- 
ping pork, sending his boxes by way of Xew 
Orleans to Xew York city, often going with 
his merchandise himself. He subsequently 
located in Cayuga count}-, Xew York, and 
engaged in chair making, lixing there until 
1S36, when he went on a farm in Steuben 
county, Xew "\"ork, where he made his home 
until his death in 1887. He was a man of 
marked mentality and of consideral)le liter- 
ary ability. Lnder more favorable circum- 
stances be woukl have distinguised himself 
in the world of letters, being a ready writer 
of both ])rose and ])oetrv. He looked upon 
life from a broad humanitarian standpoint, 
recognized the inlluences which were help- 
ful to mankind and those which were detri- 
mental, favoring with fidelity the former ami 
working with strong opposition to the latter. 
He opposed slavery and slave traffic and he 
also was directly opposed to Masonry and 
other secret societies. He was an agitator 
of public thought and inlluenced the same 
tj a great extent, doing bis best to arouse 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



87 



the ]:)eople to a realization of the true situa- 
tion concerning elements or interests that 
were derogatory to the pui>lic welfare. He 
never sought political office, however, nor 
desired any honors of such a character. In 
early manhood he was a member of the Bap- 
tist church, i)Ut becoming dissatisfied with 
the faith of the church in regard to the slav- 
ery cjuestion he left it and became identified 
with the W'esleyan ]\Iethodist, remaining a 
de\'oted member of that denomination until 
his death, \\hich occurred in New York on 
the 14th of January, 1887, when he had 
reached the advanced age of ninety-nine 
years. His death resulted from an accident. 
He had retained his faculties to a remarkable 
degree and even in extreme old age he was a 
man of marked infiuence, laboring untiring- 
ly for the welfare of his fellow men. An ex- 
tensi\"e newspaper contributor, his vie^vs 
were wideh' read thrnughout the country 
and he also published many pamphlets at his 
own expense. He appealed to the hearts 
and minds of his fellow men in relation to 
their ethical duties, and who can measure the 
influences of such a life? Tennyson has 
said that our echoes "roll from soul to soul" 
and "grow forever and forever" and in the 
impetus which Mr. Honeywell ga\'e to tlie 
realization of man's duty is undoubtedly felt 
to-day in the li\'es of those witii whom he 
came in contact. He married Eliza Dye, a 
native of Rhode Island, who passed away 
about 1866. when seventy-four years of age. 
In their family were three children of whom 
the subject of this review was the eldest. 
Gilbert Honeywell is now a resident of 
Schuyler county. New York, while Emma 
became the wife of a 'Sir. Fenna and lives 
upon the home farm in Scliuyler county. 

.Alba Honeywell was a youth of twelve 
years when with his parents he removed to 
that section of Steuben county. New York, 



which is now included within the boundaries 
of Schuyler county, that state. His pre- 
liminary educati<in, acquired in the common 
schools, ^vas supplemented by academic 
study and he completed his education in the 
Oneida Insfitute near Utica, where he had 
the benefit of instruction from the noted re- 
former and theologian. Rev. Beriah Green, 
who was then presif^lent of the school and 
later spent se\'eral years in lecturing on tem- 
perance and anti-slavery, while his periodic- 
als concerning reforms weve widely read at 
that time. iMr. Honeywell began teaching, 
his services being employed in the common 
schools and academies. He had become im- 
bued with the liatred of slavery because of 
the belief an<l teachings of his father and 
also of his honored instructor, and he was 
among the first to actix'ely eng-age in the abo- 
lition mo\'ement. He served as a delegate 
to the Buffalo convention which nominated 
James G. Birney for the presidential candi- 
date of the Liberal or Abolition party. He 
subsequently read law in the office of Gilbert 
& Osborne, prominent atturneys of Rochest- 
er, New York. During those years he made 
the acquaintance of many eminent men, in- 
cluding Gerritt Smith, William Goodell. .\1- 
van Stewart and others interested in the anti- 
slavery movement. 

Upon leaving Rochester Mr. Honeywell 
remo\'ed to New "\'ork cit}' and became editor 
of the New York Eagle. Subsequently he 
was an active factor in the American Anti- 
slavery Society, of New York city, and was 
for four years the sub-editor of the Anti- 
slavery Standard, but ill health at length 
comjielled him to put aside his work in this 
connection. He had during this time be- 
come ac(|uainte<l with Wendell I'hillips, Fred 
Douglas, William Lloyd Garrison, James 
Russell Lowell. Sidney Howard f}ray and 
many other men of that time who for the 



88 



THE BIOGRAPPIICAL RECORD 



sake of tlieir principles suffered to a large 
extent ostracism from society, but the aboli- 
tional sentiment was growing, i)romulgated 
by such men as these. They became still 
more deeply rooted in their principles be- 
cause of the opposition which they received, 
and although Mr. Honeywell was called to 
other fields of labor he rejoiced in the fact 
that the anti-slavery cause moved trium- 
phantly on and that victory finally crowned 
the labors of the men with whom he had 
formerly been associated in the work. 

The spring of 1853 witnessed the arrival 
of our subject in Iroquois county, Illinois. 
The broad west with its opportunities at- 
tracted him and on the 14th of April he 
stepped from the packet boat at Lafayette. 
It is hardly possible for the traveler to-day 
to realize what was the condition of the coun- 
try fifty years ago. The people were then 
talking of the Wabash Railroad, but no steam 
car line made its way in this section of the 
state. Mr. Honeywell located in Iroquois 
county, purcliasing one thousand acres of 
land in what is now Stockland township. 
There he resided for three years, during 
\\hich time he made improvements upon his 
farm and he also purchased an additional 
tract of four hundred acres. While extend- 
ing his agricultiu-al interests he also engaged 
in teaching and he utilized every available 
opportunity during this ]5eriod to promul- 
gate the anti-slavery sentiments which were 
already gaining many adherents in Illinois — 
the state which was to give to the nation tlie 
great emancipator. In the spring of 1856. 
accompanied by his family, Mr. Honeywell 
started for the territory of Minnesota. He 
arri\'ed in Chicago during Tremont's cam- 
paign and became associated with the Chica- 
go News, which was edited and controlled 
by the Republican element. The party was 
th.at vear or"'anizefl and named. ;uiil it was 



one of the journals which brought it into 
prominence before the country. 

Mr. Honeywell spent that winter in Chi- 
cago, and in the spring of 1857 he removed 
to Logansport, Indiana, where he turned his 
attention to other business affairs, becoming 
a manufacturer of and dealer in lumber. 
He also taught school for several years in 
that place and in Lafayette. In the mean- 
time he watched with interest the growth of 
the abolition sentiment and rejoiced in the 
victories which came to the Union arms after 
the Ci\il war was inaugurated. During the 
progress of the war he was offered the ap- 
pointment of adjutant in the army, but cir- 
cumstances prevented him from accepting it 
and in 1863 he returned to his farm in Iro- 
quois county. While proceeding with the 
improxcment of his land he also became pro- 
minent in ]nil)lic affairs. He served as town- 
ship supervisor continuously until 1869, 
when he was elected county clerk for four 
years, acting in that capacity luitil 1873. In 
1871 he purchased land on the present site 
of Hoopeston and at the close of his term of 
office he removed with the family to this 
place, having assisted in laying out the town. 
He was also instnunental in securing the 
extension of the Chicago railroad into this 
place and it was through his aid that the 
town grew and bec.ime prosperous. During 
his official service as mayor he labored un- 
tiringly for the city's substantial ui)building 
and improvement along lines that would con- 
tribute nut only to the present good but to 
its future dexelopment. He made two sub- 
divisions and he still controls the sale of 
lots. He has been deeply interested in every 
movement of measure for the general wel- 
fare and in the introduction of all business 
interests which have contributed to the sub- 
stantial upbuilding of Hoopeston. He as- 
sisted in the organization of the sugar and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



89 



canning factories located here^aiul was con- 
nected with tlieni until tliey became self- 
supporting business institutions-, expending 
in their behalf five thousand dollars, from 
which he received no return. 

For many years Mr. Honeywell contin- 
ued his agricultural etYorts, owning nearly 
one thousand acres of land adjoining the city 
of Hoopeston. He reclaimed this for pur- 
poses of cultivation, his labors proving of 
direct benefit to the community, because his 
efforts caused a material rise in land values. 
He was one of the founders of the First Na- 
tional Bank of Watseka. anil has been con- 
nected with the institution as a stockholder 
and director for more than thirty years. He 
has also invested extensively in lands in other 
states, having several hundred acres together 
with a fine orange grove in Florida, and he 
frecpiently spends the winter in the sunny 
south. Now he is oumer of about three 
thousand acres of land, much of it rich and 
valuable, in Iroquois, Vermilion, Cook, 
Lake and Scott counties, Illinois, and in 
Lake and ]\Iarion counties, Florida. He 
also has an interest in a canning factory at 
Ludington, [Michigan, and a fruit farm there, 
representing an investment of many thou- 
sands of dollars. He owns the hotel at 
Higiana Springs, Indiana, and an elegant 
summer home at Lake Bluff, north of Chica- 
go, in addition to his sumptuous and attrac- 
tive residence in Floopeston and much other 
city property. He also has investments in 
Cuba. 

On the 3d of April, 1851, in Schuyler 
county. New York, Mr. Honeywell was uni- 
ted in marriage to Miss Cornelia Andrews, 
a daughter of Dr. Andon Andrews. She 
was born at Sodus Bay on Lake Ontario in 
1829, and lived there and in Yates county, 
New York, until her marriage. Four chil- 
dren blessed this union : Estella, the wife of 



John C. Cromer, by whom she has one son, 
Alba, naiued in honor of his grandfather, 
with whon: Mrs. Cromer resides ; Floraice 
Andrews, who is the wife of A. H. Trego, 
of Hoopeston, and who possesses consider- 
able talent as an artist, having taught both 
portrait and landscape painting prior to her 
marriage; Lillie Amelia, who is the wife of 
Dr. Thomas Allen Beal, a Methodist min- 
ister: and Sarah Eliza, the wife of A. M. 
Earl, M. D., of Lincoln, Nebraska. 

From the organization of the Republi- 
can party until 1884, Mr. Honeywell con- 
tinued one of its stanch advocates. He then 
became identified with the Prohibition party, 
having always been a warm friend of the 
cause of temperance. He is a man of de- 
cided views and influence, fearless in their 
expression, yet not bitterly agressive, and he 
commands uniform respect and confidence 
wherever he is known. He thoroughly en- 
joys home life and takes great pleasure in 
the society of his family and friends. 
Courteous, kindly and affable, those who 
know him jiersonally have for him a warm 
regard and what he has done for the de- 
velopment of this part of the state canjiot 
be over-estimated. ^Vhile he has controlled 
extensive and important private business in- 
terests which have continually enchanced his 
indi\'idual prosperity, he has at the same time 
promoted the general welfare and the public 
success. He was at one time greatly in- 
terested in the Pittman system of phonetic 
printing and shorthand. He was editorially 
associated with Andrew and Boyle in 1848, 
and in the Anglo-Saxon, a newspaper in 
New York city, advocating the phonetic re- 
form, and printed wholly in the new type ad- 
vocated. He is also the author of several 
works, the largest of which (yet unpub- 
lished) is an exhaustive treatise on language, 
embracing all its departments from element- 



90 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ary phonetics to rlietoric and logic — in all, 
eleven hooks. Mr. Honeywell also wrote 
and staged several plays in younger years, in 
which plays he has appeared in character. 
There are few men who occupy as e.xalted a 
position in the regard of their fellow towns- 
men and citizens as does Alba Honeywell, not 
because of his splendid success, though that 
would entitle him to consideration for it has 
been achieved honorably and it has also been 
of financial benefit to the community, indi- 
rectly, but because of his sterling qualities of 
manhood, because of his dee]) interest in the 
oppressed, because of his hatred of vice and 
bis love of all that is good, because of his 
sympathy for his fellow men who labor under 
many of the hardships of the existing con- 
ditions of life. His time, thought and effort 
have e\-er been gi\-en to the amelioration of 
such conditions and for this reason he de- 
serves the gratitude of his fellow men. 



SEYMER G. WILSON. 

This is the history of my life. I do not 
know of any special act connected with the 
making of the history of this county that 1 
can lay claim to, but as you have asked for 
it I will comply with your request: 

T was born on the ist day of March, 1858, 
in Pickaway county, Ohio. Aly father's 
name was John H. Wilson. Jr., the son of 
John H. Wilson, Sr., who was the son of 
James Wilson, a soldier of the Revolution- 
ary war. He was an Irishman. i\Iy father's 
mother's people were Morgans, the origina! 
of whom came to this country from Eng- 
land in the days of the colonies. They set- 
tled in Virginia. The original ancestor of 
my father, on this side of the family, was 
at the time that he reached America a boy. 
and was immeuiatch' let out to learn a trade 



on a si.x }-ears' a]jprenticeship: before his 
time was half through he ran away from his 
master, joined \\'ashington"s army, re- 
mained with the same until the close of the 
war and was rewarded thereafter with a 
section of land not far from the White Sul- 
phur Springs. \'irginia. The Morgans were 
well represented in the war for independ- 
ence and also every other war that this coun- 
try has ever had. John Alorgan, of Rebel 
fame, was a relative of my father. 

(^n my mother's side I am German, her 
family ha\-ing come to this country from 
Frankfort, Germany, where many relatives 
of hers now li\'e. She was twelve years old 
before she could speak a word of English. 
Her father, Jacob ]\Iiesse, is now li\ing in 
iSiobles\ille. Indiana, at the age of ninety- 
four. 

I came with ni}- parents in October, 1864, 
to this county, and settled on the Eight Mile 
prairie, in what is known as "The Fairchild 
settlement." Father was a farmer, and here 
he followed that calling until the year 1876, 
when he moved to a farm fi\e miles north- 
east- of Rossville, this county. The farm 
was raw prairie, and here I broke, that 
spring, with one three-horse plow ninety 
acres of prairie sod, and killed twenty-seven 
rattlesnakes. IMy parents are now living re- 
tired in the village of Rossville. , 

I ha\'e one lirother, Jacob Wilson, a suc- 
cessful merchant in Ross\-ille, this county. 
I have two sisters, namely ; Mariah, who 
became the wife of L. D. Lane, of this coun- 
ty, and died in 1888: and Matilda, now the 
wife of Henry Bell, of TitTin, Ohio. 

.\s already gathered from this article, 
my earl\- life was spent on the farm, where I 
did e\'ery kind of hard work known to the 
calling. In those days I felt that farming 
was the hardest work in the world : I have 
since learned that children know hut little 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



93 



of the trials of life. As a child I was sickly, 
and I now firmly believe that if my child- 
hood days had been spent in the city, I never 
would have reached maturity. It was open 
outdoor exercise that I needed and father 
gave it to me in abundance. In those days 
we were \ery poor and usually moved ever\- 
year from one rented farm to another. 

My schooling was obtained in the conn- 
try district schools, I never ha\-ing attended 
any other kind of school in my life except 
one summer term of normal school in Dan- 
ville, and the greater part of what education 
I have, I acquired as a teacher ; having 
taught school in country districts from 1878 
to 1882, during a part of which time I read 
law with Mann, Calhoun and Frazier, of 
Dan-,'ille, staying in their office in the sum- 
mer time and teaching in the winter. I was 
admitted to practice law in the summer of 
1882, and at about the same time was ap- 
pointed a government clerk at Washington, 
District of Columbia, where I remained for 
fi\'e years ; and while there took a course in 
the National Law L'niversity, of that city, 
graduating therefrom with the degree of 
RLaster of Laws. I came to Danville m the 
winter of 1888, hung out a shingle and com- 
menced to hustle with the county lawyers 
for business. I was elected state's attorney of 
this county in 1892, and was re-elected in 
1896, being the first, and so far, the only 
state's attorney that e\'er succeeded himself 
in that office in the history of the county. 
During that time I tried some remarkable 
criminal cases, and also acted for the cnunty 
in the celebrated "Gerrymander case," 
brought by Democrats against the Republi- 
can re-districting of the state following the 
election of 1892. 

At present I am engaged in the private 
practice of law, and am well satisfied with 
my practice and the success I have obtained 



therein. J belie\-e that any man with good 
common sense can by devotion make a go(id 
law}-er — there is nothing difficult about it. 

I was appointed counsel to Magdeljurg, 
Germany, in 1900, by President McKinley, 
but was unable on account of business affairs 
to accept the position. 

In December, T893, I was married to 
Gertrude ^^^^llace Kent, daughter of John 
W. Kent and Catharine Wallace Kent. 
Her father was a son of Perrin Kent, 
one of the first settlers of the W'abash val- 
ley ; a man of strength of character, 
a farmer, a soldier of the war of 1812, a de- 
fender of Fort Stephenson, Ohio, and was 
with Flarrison at the Thames, Canada. He 
was also a surveyor, helping in the survey of 
the boundary line between Illinois and In- 
diana. His ancestry was colonial, his 
father being a soldier in the Revolutionary 
war. Her father is still living, at the age of 
eighty, in the city of Danville. He was a 
successful farmer and stock-raiser, having 
accumulated a large fortune at the business. 
Her mother's people are Americans for many 
generations back ; her mother's father being 
one of the first settlers of Edgar county, 
this state. 

In politics I am a Republican, and frater- 
nally I am a member of the Knights of Py- 
thias, of the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks and a Mason of the Blue 
Lodge, Royal Arch Chapter and the Com- 
mandery. 

I make no claims of being an orator, but 
feel that I can express my thoughts in a fair- 
ly clear and forcible manner; have now and 
then been called upon to deliver Decoration 
day addresses. Fourth of July orations and 
political speeches ; also while state's attorney 
collected data for a lecture, entitled "Crime 
and Criminals," that I have delivered with 
modest pride to myself. 



94 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Financially I liave been fairly successful, 
and am one of the directors of the Commer- 
cial Trust and Savings Bank of Danville. 

I can only further say, that with me life 
has been a continually active battle; what 
help I have had is such as has come from my 
own exertions, and such as any one can have 
if they will go after it with the proper amount 
of determination. The people have been 
good to me, fate has been good to me and I 
know of no reason why I should not be well 
satisfied with the course of my life. 

S. G. Wilson. 



GEORGE G. S^IITH. 

Through si.xty-three years George G. 
Smith has been a witness of the growth and 
development of this portion of Illinois and 
as a result of his business enterprise and 
activity he is tu-day the owner of two hun- 
dred and forty acres of valuable land, all 
well tiled and improved, being supplied 
wilh modern equipments and machinery. 
He has a substantial home and good barns, 
his place being located on section 33, Blomi 
township. 

]\Ir. Smith is a native of Ohio, born in 
Scioto county, August 31, 1829, his par 
ents being Isaac and Sarah (Glaze) Smith, 
who were natives of Virginia and Germany, 
a C(.)\-ered \\agon drawn b}' horses for Ver- 
milion county, where he arrived in safety 
after a long and tedious trip. He found here 
an unbroken prairie tract over which ran 
prairie wolves, while wild turkeys, prairie 
chickens, cranes and ducks could be had in 
abundance. The Indians had just left the 
district. ^Ir. Smith was accompanied by 
his wife and foin- children. He entered 
eighty acres of wild land for one dollar and 
twenty-five cents per acre and immediately 



Ijegan breaking and improving his farm. Ht 
hired some one to make rails with which to 
fence his land and in true pioneer style he 
began the raising of grain and stock on the 
western prairies, his market being Chicago, 
which was then but a village. Danville 
contained but one or two stores and a few 
houses. Upon the old homestead farm the 
father rcmainetl until his death. The nuither 
of our subject passed away in 1848, leaving 
four children, and the father afterward 
wedded .Mary Blackinship, who died in 1863, 
and two years later his death dccurred, when 
he was about sixty-five years of age. Both 
of the parents of our subject were devoted 
members of the Baptist church. George G. 
was the thinl of their fi\-e children, Init onh- 
two are now living, his younger brother 
being John H. Smith, of California. Those 
who have passed away are William A., J^Irs. 
Mary J. Lanliam and Martha. 

In the district schools George G. Smith 
pursued his education, attending subscrip- 
tion school, which was held in a log build- 
ing. Through the months of winter he 
sat upon a slab bench and studied from text 
books which were almost as elementary as 
the furnishings. In the summer months 
he worked upon the home farm and thus 
his time was alternately de\-oted to study 
and work until he attained his majority. 
He then began working on his own account 
as a farm hand through the winter and in 
the summer he drove a breaking team, re- 
ceiving seven dollars per month for his ser- 
vices. Sa\ing all his money he was thus 
enabled after a time to purchase forty acres 
of land for which he paid two hundred and 
seventy-five dollars. This tract was par- 
tially improved and with this to give him 
a start he entered upon the task of making 
a home of his own. He was married March 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



95 



25, 1852, at the age of twenty-three years 
to Ehza Fairchild, who was born February 
27, 1833, and is a daughter of Daniel and 
Lucy (Hemingway) Fairchild, early set- 
tlers of Blount township, her father being 
a local preacher. She was the second in 
order of birth. 

After his marriage Mr. Smith continued 
to engage in farming and stock-raising 
keeping cattle, horses and hogs. In pioneer 
times he plowed with a wooden mold board 
and drove his horses with a single line. 
Afterward to cultivate his land he used, a 
single-shovel plow and cut his grain with 
a sickle until that implement was super- 
ceded by the cradle. In 1844 he hauled a 
load of oats to Chicago, starting with se\' 
enty-five bushels and driving three yoke of 
oxen. On reaching his destination he sold 
his oats for twenty-five cents per bushel and 
purchased a load of salt for which he paid 
twenty-five cents a pound. He was absen 
on the trip for fifteen days. There was not 
a bridge between his house and Chicago and 
he had to ford the rivers, crossing the creek 
at Kankakee and Momence. At nights he 
camped out and thus in course of time his 
journey was completed. Chicago was but 
a village and gave little promise of its future 
wonderful development. Cook stoves ha('. 
not then been introduced and Mr. Smith 
well remembers how johnny cake was baked 
upon a board in the fire place. He has also 
seen flint and tow used in starting a fire 
before matches were invented and he has 
helped to shear the sheep in order to secure 
the wool for clothing, only homemade gar- 
ments being used by the family in that time. 
In the summer the mother spun the flax 
for the garments used in that season and 
wool f(_ir the winter clothing and homemade 
shoes were also worn. Church services were 



held in the groves and lighted candles were 
fastened upon the bushes while campfires 
were often used to give light. Mr. Smith 
would often borrow fire from the neighbors 
when their own fire would go out. He has 
made rails at fifty cents per hundred and 
performed other work at an e([ually low 
price. 

L'Uto Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born 
nine children : Elizabeth, the wife of George 
M. Wilson, of Vermilion county, ])y whom 
she has three children: John E., who wed- 
ded Mary Tirebaugh, and died leaving a 
widow and five children; Elias D., who 
wedded Clarissa Smith, who passed away 
leaving three children; Marshall M., who 
married Lillie, a daughter of Noah Young, 
and they ha\e two children and make their 
home in Indiana; Wesley C, who married 
Emma Sperry, by whom he has one child ; 
Sarah, who is with her parents; Eva, the 
wife of Andy Lanham, by whom she has 
three children; W. G., at home; and J, ().. 
who married Jessie Stone and has two chil- 
dren. They reside in Potomac. 

For twelve consecutive years Mr. Smith 
has iield the office of supervisor and for fwo 
years he was collector, for three years com- 
missioner of highways, and for twenty 
years a school director. He to-day owns 
one of the best farms of the county and all 
that he possesses has been acquired through 
his own efforts and the assistance of his 
estimable wife, who has indeed proved to 
him a faithful companion and helpmate on 
life's journey. He has never had a law suit 
but has ever lived peaceably with his fellow 
men and has enjoyed the unqualified re- 
spect of his entire community. He is now 
living retired in his comfortable farm home, 
his land being rented, and he well merits 
the rest which has come to him. 



96 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



CHARLES L. ENGLISH. 

One of tlie most active and liest known 
of the financiers of the city of Danville and 
of the eastern section of the state is Charles 
L. English, president of the First National 
Bank; an institution which is recognized as 
being among the leading banking concerns 
of the state. Mr. English was born in Per- 
rysville, Indiana, July 15, 1S46, and is a son 
of Joseph G. English, who is mentioned on 
another page of this work. With !iis parents 
he came to Danville in 1S54, being then a lad 
of eight years, and here his entire life has 
since been passed. Entering the pul)lic 
schools of the city he continued to pursue 
his studies therein until he entered De Pauw 
LTniversity at Asbury, Indiana, where he 
spent one year. 

In April, 1864, when not yet eighteen 
years of age, Mr. English enlisted for the 
defense of the Union as a member of Com- 
paii}- K. One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Illi- 
nois Infantry, for the term of one hundred 
days, and in October following recei\'ed an 
honorable discharge. The same patriotic de- 
votion to the general good of his country has 
characterized his entire life, always having at 
heart the best interests of his state and na- 
tion. 

For thirteen years Mr. English was en- 
gagerl in the grain trade and also furnished 
lumber and railroad supplies under contract. 
In this enterprise he was associated with 
Colonel L. T. Dickason, now of Chicago, 
and their business grew in volume and im- 
portance until their trade assumed extensive 
proportions, they having at times several 
hundred men in their employ. 

In 1867 Mr. English became identified 
with the First National Bank, of which he is 
now president. It was not, however, until 
iR8j th;it he began to de\-ote his time almost 



e.\clusi\ely to the bank. For a number of 
years he occupied the position of cashier, 
later became vice president and is now the 
head of the institution, having been elected 
president in 1899, upon the retirement of his 
father, who had served in that capacity for 
many years. Under his capable manage- 
ment the business of the bank has increased 
until it is now one of the most important 
financial concerns of the state. -Its success is 
certainly due in a large measure to our sub- 
ject and since under his control the capital 
stock has been increased from fifty thousand 
to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, 
while the sur])lus has grown from forty 
tb.nus;md to ime hundred and fift_\- thousand 
dollars, with additional profits of fift}- thou- 
sand dollars. Mr. English has gi\-en his best 
energies to the advancement of this institu- 
tion and is iniiformlv regarded as the lead- 
ing financier in this part of the state. 

In 1883 Mr. English was united in mar- 
riage to Miss A. O'liara, of Anderson. Indi- 
ana, and unto them have been born two chil- 
dren : Benjamin Charles, who is now a 
stuilent in the Culver Military Academy; 
and Daniel, at home. 

Politically Mr. English is a Republican, 
and. wliile interested in politics so far as 
])ertains to general government, he is not 
and has never been a politician in the com- 
mon acceptation of the term. His business 
interests and his mental training have not 
been in that direction. Socially he is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity, and is deeply 
interested in the principals of the order — the 
oldest fraternal organization in existence. 
As a citizen he is interested in e\'erything 
pertaining to the general good, and he has 
been found a supporter of many public enter- 
]irises and charitable in^itutions, giving his 
intluence as well as his means for their ad- 
\-ancement. In Iiusiness affairs he is ener- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



99 



getic, notably reliable and prompt in meeting 
every obligation and engagement. He has 
a genins for devising and executing the right 
thing at the right time, and he regards no 
business detail as too unimportant to claim 
his attention. His success in all his under- 
takings has been so inarked that his methods 
are of interest to the commercial world. He 
has based his business principles and actions 
upon strict adherence to the rules which 
govern industry and strict unswerving integ- 
rity. His keen perception and honesty of 
purpose are counted among his chief char- 
acteristics and have contributed in large 
measure to the splendid success which has 
crowned his efforts. 



MICHAEL \\'EA\'ER. 

Michael Weaver was an honored citizen 
of X^ermilion county who might be termed 
uni(|ue on account of certain characteristics. 
These, however, were such as might well 
be followcfl. They concerned his treatment 
of his fellow men. his conduct being guided 
by the strictest principles of honesty am', 
integrity. He was born in Washington 
county, Maryland, near Hagerstown, and 
was a son of German parents who emigrated 
to America prior to the Revolutionary war. 
In the family were three brothers. The 
father died when Michael Weaver was but 
a small Ijoy and his mother afterward mar- 
ried again and removed witli the family to 
North Carolina, but Michael Weaver ran 
away from home when but ten years of age 
and joined a cattle drover's outfit with 
which he returned to Maryland, where still 
lived his elder brothers. From that time 
on he made 'his own way in the world. It 



seems almost strange that a boy starting 
out so young in life and with no home sur- 
roundings should have de\eloped the strong, 
sturdy and upright mankind which was 
characteristic of Michael Weaver. Not 
long after he had attained his majority he 
wedded Mary Elizabeth Specard of Hagers- 
town, Maryland, and about a year later they 
removed to Pennsylvania, where they spent 
the winter with his sister. 

They then made their way down the 
Ohio river to Kentucky, where j\lr. Weaver 
purchased a farm 'and lived for three years. 
He then crossed the river into Clermon. 
county, Ohio, becoming one of its early set- 
tlers, and in 1818 he removed to Brown 
county, that state, where he purchased a 
tract of land which he cleared and devel- 
oped into a fine farm. 

Upon that property he made his home 
until 1828. when in a big covered wagon he 
started westward in company with his wife 
and nine children. Their destination was 
Sugar Creek, Indiana, but. not being pleased 
with the country in that locality, they con- 
tinued on their way until they reached \^er- 
milion county, Illinois, when a settlement 
was made in what is now Carroll townshij 
Mr. Weaver entered land from the govern- 
ment and at once commenced its cultivation 
and improvement. He had to go to Pales- 
tine in order to make the entry. These were 
pioneer times for Vermilion county was 
then almost upon the borders of civiliza- 
tion. It was, indeed, a frontier settlement, 
having few of the advantages and comforts 
of the older east. At first it was necessary to 
go to a small place in Indiana in order to do 
trading. Later the members of the family 
went to Chicago for muslins, buttons, sugar, 
lumber and in fact almost everything needed 
about the household. Indians were still 



lOO 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



numerous in this part of tlie countr_\', hut 
gave no trouble to the settlers. At the time 
the Weaver family arrived and took up 
their abode in Carroll township they found 
that another settler had built a fittle cabin 
upon the place. It contained two rooms 
with a kitchen built on and in this the famil\ 
of eleven took up their abode, but as soon 
as opportunity afforded Mr. Weaver erected 
a more commodious residence. Game of 
all kinds was plentiful, venison was a fre- 
quent dish upon the pioneer taljlc and prairie 
chickens and turkeys furnished many a 
meal. \\'olves were often seen and fre- 
quently killed by the settlers and there were 
many other evidences of the wild condition 
of the country. Mr. Weaver always followed 
farming and stock-raising and in due course 
of time he gained for himself a comfortable 
competence. 

Unto our subject and his wife were 
born eleven children, nine of whom reached 
years of maturity : Mary, who is the widow 
of Benjamin Baum, and is now living ir 
Indianola at the age of ninety-two years ; 
Jane, the widow of David Fisher, who is 
living with her son, Michael, in Indianola, 
at the age of ninety years ; Catherine, the 
widow of Charles W. Baum auu a resident 
of Indianola at the age of eighty-five years ; 
Louisa, who is the wife of James Gaines 
of Edgar county, Illinois, and is seventy- 
seven years of age; Sarah, the deceased wife 
of Samuel Baum; John and Elijah who 
have also passed away ; Clara, the deceased 
wife of Isaac Fisher; and Nancy, the de- 
ceased wife of John Cole. 

Michael Weaver lived to be more than 
one hundred years of age and his wife passed 
away at the age of eighty-eight. She wa; 
a member of the Methodist church and an 
earnest Christian woman. In politics Mr. 



Weaver was a Whig, but never took an 
active part in political work or sought office. 
He was a self-made man, successful in his 
business although his methods were consid- 
ered odd by many. Would that there were 
more who had this oddity of honesty and 
fair dealing with them! Even during the 
war times when money was drawing twenty 
or thirty per cent he would never ask or 
accept more than six per cent, and he would 
never charge more than twenty-live cents 
per bushel for his corn. He did nut belong 
to a church yet the true spirit of Christianity 
was manifest in his life for he did unto 
others as he would have them do unto him 



O. B. W^YSOXG. 



It is a noticeable fact that the ^■oung men 
are rapidly occupying the foremost places 
in business circles. Whether this is due 
to superior educational training or to na- 
tive ability is a question of dispute. Per- 
haps it is due to both. At all e\-ents the 
fact remains and each community numbers 
among its leading citizens men who, yet 
young in years, are controlling extensive 
financial, commercial and industrial inter- 
ests. Mr. Wysong is one of the young men 
of Fithian, w'ho. deserves mention in a work 
of this character. He is occupying a posi- 
tion as cashier of the bank here and pos- 
sesses marked business ability and executive 
force. 

He was born in ]\Iansfield, Illinois, Juh 
I7> 1875. His father, A. J. Wysong, is a 
native of Ohio, and in Mansfield, this state, 
was united in marriage to ^liss Lavina Hil- 
ligoss, a native of Indiana. The father is 
a carpenter and contractor and was con- 
nected with building operations in Mans- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



lOI 



lieUl until 1S91, when he removed to De- 
catur. Tliere he again engaged in contract- 
ing and at the present time he is occupying 
the position of foreman of the Decatur Re- 
frigerating & Manufacturing Conipan} 
Unswerving in liis adherence to Democratic 
principles, he has nevertheless refused pub- 
lic office, his loyal support being given in 
no hope of securing official reward for his 
party fealty. He belongs to the Christian 
church and is a man of strong purpose and 
upright character. The mother of our sub- 
ject died April 22, 1881, and ]\Ir. Wysong 
afterward married Elva Dickson, whose 
parents were from Ohio. By his first mar- 
riage there were two sons : O. B.. of this 
review; and I. T., who resides in ^ilansfield. 
The children of the second marriage are : 
Charles, John, Gladys and Elva. 

In the public schools of his native town 
O. B. Wysong acquired his preliminary ed- 
ucation, which was supplemented by study 
in the high school of Decatur, Illinois, and 
later he entered the Northern Indiana Nor- 
mal school at Valparaiso, where he was 
graduated on the completion of a business 
course with the class of 1890. He was af- 
terward employed in the Commercial Bank 
at Mansfield, Illinois, for two years and 
in 1895 he came to Fithian, where on the 
22d of April, of that year, he was appointed 
cashier of the Fithian Bank, in which capac- 
ity he has since served with marked capa- 
bility, his labors contributing in large meas- 
ure to the success of the institution. He is 
also connected with the grain trade here and 
his income is thereby materially increased. 
In connection with Mr. C. B. De Long, the 
president of the firm, Mr. Wysong has 
been instrumental in securing the interurban 
electric line along the Big Four Railroad. 
It was first proposed to bring it from Ur- 



bana to St. Joseph, thence to Homer and 
follow the Wabash to Danville, but through 
the untiring eft'orts of Mr. De Long 
and ]Mr. Wysong, it now comes the 
other way, giving Fithian and adja- 
cent towns the advantage of good ser- 
\'ice which the_\- were unable to secure from 
the railroad. 

On the 25th of No^•ember. 1896. Mr, 
Wysong was happily married in Fithian to 
]Miss Cora M. Post, who was born Septem- 
ber 5, 1878, a daughter of Dr. G. H. Post. 
They now have three interesting little chil- 
dren : Lois, Leda and Lenore. Theirs is 
one of the best homes in this part of Ver- 
milion county and it is a favorite resort 
with their many friends, which circle is al- 
most co-extensive with the circle of their 
acquaintances. 

;\Ir. Wysong is a Republican and in 
1897-98 he was one of the city trustees. In 
1 90 1 he was elected mayor and in positions 
of public trust he has ever exercised hi'; 
official prerogatives in support of every 
movement calculated to prove of public ben- 
efit. He is a member of Ogden Lodge, F. 
& A. M. : Morning Star Lodge. No. 489. 
I. O. O. F., of Fithian; Corn City Lodge, 
K. P., of Ogden; Fithian Camp. No. 427, 
M. W. A. ; and of the ^Methodist Episcopal 
church. His genial manner, unfailing cour- 
tesy and kindly spirit have made him popu- 
lar and Mr. Wysong is indeed widely and 
favorably known in Fithian and this por- 
tion of Vermilion countv. 



J. L. RIDEOUT, D. D. S. 

Dr. J. L. Rideout, a successful and popu- 
lar dentist of Danville, was born in Fremont, 
Ohio. May 15. 1873, a son of F. W. and 



I02 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Anna (Deemer) Rideout. On the paternal 
side lie is of English descent and belongs 
to a very patriotic family which has been 
well represented in the \\ars of this coun- 
try, his grandfather being a soldier of the 
Mexican war, and his great-great-grand- 
father of both the war of 1812 and the Rev- 
olutionary war. The Deenier family is of 
German extraction and was founded in 
Pennsylvania during the seventeenth cen- 
tury', since which time they have always 
taken part in public affairs of an important 
character. 

F. W. Rideout, the Doctor's father, was 
also born in l'"remont, Ohio, and after reach- 
ing manhootl he there married Miss Anna 
Deemer, a native of Easton, Pennsylvania. 
For fifteen years after his marriage he was 
engaged in the real-estate, loan and insur- 
ance business at that place, and then re- 
moved to Tuscola, Illinois, where the fol- 
lowing ten years were spent upon a farm. 
He took quite an active part in political 
affairs while residing there. His next re 
moral made him a resident of Atwood, Illi- 
nois, where he practically lived a retired 
life, althougli he still dealt in loans and real 
estate to some extent. He was a Rei)ubli- 
can in politics, and while living in Tuscola 
served as county supervisor and held some 
of the township offices. In early life he was 
a member of Company K, One Hundred 
and Sixty-ninth Ohio National Guards and 
was called out during the Ci\-il war. This 
entitled him to membership in the Grantl 
Army of the Republic and he was also con- 
nected with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. For many years he was an active 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church 
and an officer in the same, and died in that 
faith on the 14th of September, 1902. his 
reiTiains being interred in the Cartwright 



cemetery at Atwood, Illinois. His first wife 
had passed away in July. 1888. and in 1891 
he married Miss May Barnett, who survives 
him. B\' his first marriage he had si.\ chil- 
dren : W. j., a physician of Freeport. Illi- 
nois, who makes a specialty of the diseases 
of the eye, ear and nose; E. L.. a farmer of 
Tuscola: J. L., our subject: R. !■"., a farmer 
of Atwood; Mayme, who is attending 
school in Freeport: and Clara, who resides 
in Freeport. The children of the second 
marriage are Harry, Xellic and ivay. 

Dr. Rideout began his education in the 
schools of Fremont, Ohio, and after the re- 
m<)\a! of his family to this state he attended 
the public schools of Tuscola. Deciding 
ui)on a professional life, he next entered the 
Indiana Dental College at In(liana]iolis, 
where he was graduated in i8()7 and the 
following year located in Danville, where he 
had since engaged in practice with marked 
success. He has a nice office in 412 Temple 
block, supplied with all the latest equip- 
ments known to the science, and he has al- 
ready secured a large patronage which is 
steadil}' increasing. 

On the 24th of December, 1.S96, at Tus- 
cola, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. 
Rideout and Miss Vivian Boyce. who was 
born at that place October 5, 1875, '^"'1 '-"^ ^ 
daughter of Washington and Paulina (Per- 
ry) Boyce, the former a natixe of Illinois, 
and the latter of Jeffersonville, Indiana. 
Her parents were also married at Tuscola. 
Her father was a ])liotographer by ])rofes- 
sion and was identilicd with the Reiniblican 
party and the Grand Army of the Republic. 
He died in June, 1896, but his wife is still 
living and now makes her home with Dr. 
ixideout. They had seven children, six of 
whom survive the father, namely: David, 
a photographer of Tuscola; Albert, a dentist 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



103 



of tliat place; William, farmer of Tuscola; 
Thomas J. and Charles ^L, twins, the for- 
mer a dentist of Chicago and the latter a 
manufacturer of photographers' paper in 
that city; and Vivian, the wife of our sub- 
ject. The Doctor and his wife have two 
children : Esther Pauline, born September 
20, 1897; and Russell H., born July 19, 
1899. 

In his political views the Doctor is a 
stanch Republican, and socially he is con- 
nected with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and the Fraternal Army. He is 
quite popular both in social and professional 
circles and is a man highly esteemed and re- 
spected by all who known him. 



C. B. SPANG. 



C. B. Spang, grain merchant and the 
proprietor of the Star Roller Mill and lum- 
beryard of Georgetown, is well known in 
Vermilion county. He is the leading busi- 
ness man of the southern portion of the 
county and through enterprise and capabil- 
ity has contributed not only to his own suc- 
cess but also to the general prosperity of the 
localities with which he has Ijeen identified. 

Mr. Spang has been a resident of 
Georgetown for the past thirteen years. 
He was born in Butler county, Pennsyl- 
vania, December 13, 1866, and is a son of 
Josiah R. and Margaret (Bracken) Spang, 
both of whom were also natives of the Key- 
stone state. The father there spent his en- 
tire life. He became manager of the Singer 
Manufacturing Company and occupied that 
position until his death. His widow and the 
family resided in Butler county until 1899, 
when they removed to Georgetown, Illinois. 



C. B. Spang was educated in the com- 
mon schools of his nati\e county and began 
to learn the miller's trade at Butler, Penn- 
sylvania, being employed in the Oriental 
Rolling i\Iills until he mastered the busi- 
ness. In 1887 he removed westward, set- 
tling in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he was 
employed as a miller for two years and on 
the expiration of that period he came to 
Georgetown. In 1889 J. E. Haywortlj es- 
tablished the Georgetown Flour Mill but 
he was formerly engaged in the milling 
business here from 1880. On coming to 
Georgetown Mr. Spang entered the employ 
of Mr. Hay worth, and after working in the 
mill for two months, he purchased a half 
interest in both the mill and lumberyard, 
forming a partnership under the firm style 
of Hayworth & Spang. They continued 
business together until 1899, when Mr. 
Hayworth sold his interest to C. I-. Austin, 
who was in partnership with our subject 
until 1902. 

Mr. Spang is now alone and is doing 
the largest business in Georgetown. His 
elevator, which is located near the depot, 
has recently been enlarged and is now one 
of the most e.Ktensive in the county. Fie 
buys and ships grain daily and his business 
has now assumed very creditable and profit- 
able proportions. The flour mill is located 
in the eastern part of the town and is con- 
ducted under the name of the Star Roller 
Mills. He manufactures the North Star 
flour, the Red Ball and other brands and 
has established a wholesale distributing 
house in Danville for the products of his 
manufactories. He deals in all kinds of 
lumber and building materials -necessary to 
the construction of a house from the foun- 
dation to the roof and his patronage in this 
line is very extensive as the business is con- 



I04 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



stantly increasing. He is well known 
throughout the country as a prominent busi- 
ness man of Georgetown and his enterprise 
and industry contribute in no small degree 
to the commercial prosperity of the place. 
JMr. Spank was united in marriage to 
Miss Florence Smith, of Slippery Rock, 
Pennsylvania, and they now ha\e four chil- 
dren : Ethel, Genevieve, Charles and 
Bracken. Both he and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and 
he has taken an active interest in church 
work. Socially he is identified with the 
Modern Woodmen of America and the 
Knights of Pythias, having aided in or- 
ganizing the latter lodge in Georgetown. 
In politics he is a Republican and he has 
been called to fill a number of offices in the 
village. Besides his business interests here 
he owns an addition to the city of Danville, 
where he is engaged in real-estate dealing, 
and is also interested in a lumben,-ard and 
real estate at Westville, Illinois. He is a 
self-made man, owing his prominence in 
business affairs to his own skillfully directed 
labor, and among the well-to-do citizens of 
Georgetown he is justly numbered. 



WILLIAM MOORE. 

No adequate history of William Moore 
can 1)6 written until many of the useful en- 
terprises with which he has been connected 
have completed their full share of good to 
the world and until his personal . influence 
and example shall have ceased their fruitage 
in the lives of those with whom he has come 
in contact. Yet, there is nnich concerning 
him that can be set down with profit here 
as an illustratioji of what can be done by a 



man with a clear brain and willing hands 
that sets himself seriously to the real labors 
and responsibilities of life. His name is so 
inseparably interwoven with the history of 
Hoopeston that no account of the business 
development ami substantial upbuilding of 
the town can be given without mention of 
his name. His efforts too have extended 
far beyond the limits of Hoopeston, and 
many other communities have benefited by 
his labors, his marked business ability and 
his indefatigable enterprise. He is to-day 
numbered among the capitalists of Vermil- 
ion county and to this position he has at- 
tained not through the aid of influential or 
wealthy friends, but because he has prospered 
in his work and has made honest dealing one 
of the characteristics of his useful and active 
career. 

Mr. Moore was I)orn in Coshocton coun- 
ty, Ohio, on the 30th of Noveml^er, 1841, 
and is a son of Silas and Mary (McCoy) 
Moore. LTpon the home farm he was reared, 
and his early education acquired in the public 
schools was supplemented by a preparatory 
course in Spring Mountain Seminary of 
Ohio. He was pursuing his study there with 
the intention of preparing for the law when 
the Civil war broke out. He had watched 
with growing . interest the attitude of he 
south and the progress of events leading 
up to hostilities, and, his patriotic spirit 
aroused, he resolved to strike a blow in de- 
fense of the LTnion if the country became 
involved in civil war, and on the 23d of 
April, i86i,.only ten days after Fort Sumter 
was fired on, he enlisted for three months' 
service as a member of Company D, Six- 
teenth Ohio \^olunteer Infantry. While with 
that command he was promoted to the rank 
of orderly sergeant and was mustered out 
the following August. On the 3d of Octo- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



107 



ber, 1 86 1, he was commissioned by Gover- 
nor Denison, a first lieutenant with authority 
to raise a company, which he enHsted mostly 
among the students of Spring Mountain 
Seminary. This became Company I, of the 
Fifty-tirst Ohio Infantry under the com- 
mand of Colonel Stanley Matthews. With 
his company Lieutenant Moore fought at 
Phillipi, Perryville, Chickamauga, Lookout 
Mountain. Mission Ridge and Ringgold, 
and in January, 1863. he was commissioned 
captain. In the battle of Chickamauga he 
lost nearly every man in his command, one- 
half of the number being killed or wounded, 
while many of the remainder were captured. 
All of the regimental officers of the Fifty- 
iirst having been taken prisoners, Captain 
Moore, as ranking line officer, assumed com- 
mantl, and with but a few men bearing the 
regimental colors and a stand of Rebel col- 
ors captured from a South Carolina regi^ 
ment in the last charge, he cut through the 
Rebel lines and safely reached Chattanooga 
the next day. It was a brave move and 
one which displayed superior knowledge of 
military tactics and undaunted bravery. On 
two particular occasions Captain Moore was 
selected for special service of a difficult and 
hazardous kind. He carried out his instruc- 
tions with signal success and was compli- 
mented by his fellow and superior officers 
and the general commanding the army. In 
April, 1864, he was mustered out of the 
military service, having for three years been 
a faithful defender of the old flag. 

Captain Moore has been a resident of 
Vermilion county since March, 1865. After 
his return from the war he remained a resi- 
dent of Ohio for about a year and then came 
to the west, locating in Grant township, Ver- 
milion county, where he had previously pur- 
chased a farm of three hundred and twentv 



acres. From that time forward he has been 
very prominent in public affairs as an offi- 
cial and as a business man, and his efforts 
have ever proven of the greatest benefit to 
the community with which he is associated. 
From 1866 until 1874 he filled the office of 
justice of the peace and from 1867 until 
1870 was collector of Grant township, while 
from 1866 until 1872 he was school treas- 
urer of township 23, range 11. Fo'r sevrai 
years he was also a director of the Hoopeston 
public schools and it was through his energy 
and enterprise that the first imposing and sub- 
stantial school building at this place was 
erected, a building costing twenty-five thou- 
sand dollars. In this work Mr. Moore re- 
ceived much opposition, but he had firm 
faith in the ultimate development of the 
town and time has proven his confidence well 
placed, for to-day that school building is one 
of the four ward schools. It is a substantial 
monument to his efforts in behalf of his fel- 
low townsmen. The cause of education has 
no truer friend in all Hoopeston than Mr. 
Moore or one who has been more effective 
in his labors to advance the general good 
along lines of educational and intellectual 
progress. He has been a member of the 
Hoopeston Library Association since its or- 
ganization. 

Throughout all these years while capably 
performing official service Mr. Moore has 
also controlled extensive and important busi- 
ness interests. At an early day he purchased 
fifty acres of land at Hoopeston which was 
laid out in town lots as the Moore & Browrj 
addition. In April, 1872, he took up his res- 
idence in the village where he has since been 
engaged in the real estate business, buying 
and selling town property on an extensive 
scale. He was also a member of the firm of 
Moore & Perkins and later became the senior 



io8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



member of tlie well known firm of Moore, 
McFerren & Seavey. Between March, 1874, 
and March, 1875, the sales of this firm 
reached three hundred and thirty thousand 
dollars. Mr. Moore is still associated with 
Mr. McFerren and their business interests 
are most extensive and important, including 
large landed properties in the south, in the 
states of Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennes- 
see. It would be impossible to give an ade- 
quate account of the extensive enterprises 
uhich have been established and carried for- 
ward to successful completion by Mr. 
Moore. Soon after the organization of the 
Illinois Can Company he became one of its 
heavy stockholder and is to-day the owner 
of one-half of the business and is acting as 
general manager. He was instrumental in 
organizing the Union Tin Can Company, 
of which he became a stockholder and di- 
rector and filled the position of president 
at the time the company was merged into 
the American Can Company. The business 
was founded in 1892 with a capital stock 
of forty thousand dollars, and when sold in 
1900 returned to the owners one million 
dollars, the original stockhcjlders re- 
taining their respective interests as 
paid up stock. Industrial enterprises in 
many other parts of the country contribute 
not alone to Mr. Moore's individual success 
but promote the general prosperity of the 
localities in which they are located. In con- 
nection with Mr. McFerren he owns a large 
box factory at Memphis. Tennessee, the an- 
nual output of which is nine hundred cars 
of box shooks. These gentlemen are also 
the proprietors of a double band sawmill 
at Memphis, valued at seventy-five thousand 
dollars, and having a daily capacity of fifty 
thousand feet of lumber. Their enterprises 
owned and controlled bv them includes a 



large sawmill at Luxora, .\rkansas. with 
a capacity of thirty thousand feet of lumber 
daily, a sawmill on Pitman's Island, manufc- 
turing twent_\-five thousand feet of lumber 
per day, a sawmill at Woodstock, Missis- 
sippi, with a similar capacity, and three 
other sawmills, each ^turning out aljout 
twenty thousand feet of lumber daily. Mr. 
Moore owns abovit one thousand acres of 
Tand in Vermilion county and in connection 
with J. C. Mcl-'erren is the owner of thirty 
thousand acres of timl)erland in j\rkansas. 
They are now constructing a railroad from 
Luxora, Arkansas, to Big Lake, a distance 
of twenty miles, called the ^lississippi. Big 
Lake and Western Road. This will furnish 
an outlet for their lumber and also will form' 
part of a trunk line for the west from Joplin, 
Missouri, through to the Mississippi. Mr. 
Moore secured donations for the two rail- 
roads which enter Hoopeston and was a 
member of the committee for securing the 
right of way for the Lake Erie & Western 
Railroad through Vermilion county. He 
handled and sold the Thompson North 
Hoopeston addition and in connection with 
Mr. McFerren he purchased the Casement 
addition of one hundred lots, all of which 
were sold by the firm inside of six months 
and they also closed out the fifty lot addition 
of G. W. Smith. Mr. Moore's attention is. 
given to the superintendency of the land and 
timber estates of the firm in the south and to- 
the general management of the Illinois Can- 
ning Company of Hoopeston. 

On the 1st of March, 1892. Mr. Moore 
was united in marriage to Anna Hamilton, 
who was born at Ash Grove, Iroquois coun- 
ty. Her father is now deceased and her 
mother and brother. Senator Isaac Hamil- 
ton, are residents of Chicago. Mr. AToore 
has three living children by a former mar- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



109 



riage: Winfield S., Claude H. and Cora 
M. The daughter is now the wife of Dr. 
Haines, of Memphis, Tennessee. In 1882 
Mr. Moore erected his magnificent home at 
the corner of Fourth and Penn streets in 
Hoopeston. 

He is a RepubHcan in poHtics and though 
liis business interests are so extensive he 
yet finds time to serve his fellow towns- 
men in matters pertaining to the general 
welfare of the place in which he makes his 
home. He is a member of the board of al- 
dermen here, ha\ing served in that office 
continuously since street paving was begun, 
and to-day he is the chairman of the streets 
and alleys committee and of the buildings 
and grounds committee. He belongs to the 
Methodist Episcopal church and is a promi- 
nent Mason, holding membership in the blue 
lodge, chapter, council and commandery, 
and was the first high priest of the chapter 
at this place. It is impossible to estimate 
the scope of Mr. Moore's accomplishment. 
The benefits of his enterprise are far-reach- 
ing, furnishing employment to many hun- 
dreds of workmen and promoting prosperity 
in various communities. Endowed by nature 
■with a sound judgment and an accurate, 
discriminating mind, he has never feared 
that laborious attention to the details of busi- 
ness so necessary to achieve success, and this 
essential qualit/ has ever been guided by a 
sense of moral right which tolerates the em- 
ployment only of those means that will bear 
the most rigid examination, by a fairness 
of intention that neither seeks nor requires 
disguise. It is but just and merited praise 
to say of Mr. Moore that as a business man 
he ranks with the ablest, as a citizen he is 
honorable, prompt and true to every duty, 
and as a man he has the honor and esteem 
of all classes of people. 



JOHN H. PETTEGREW. 

John H. Pettegrew, an honored veteran 
of the Civil war, has been equally loyal to 
his country in private life and in civil ser- 
vice. For twenty-three years he was dep- 
uty sherifif of Vermilion county, has filled 
the ofifice of constable and is now one of the 
assistant county supervisors. He resides at 
his home at No. 82 Columbus street, in 
Danville, having retired from farm life, 
which for many years occupied his atten- 
tion. He was born in Ohio, March 22, 
1 83 1, and is a son of Dr. Ezekiel and Eme- 
line (Beach) Pettegrew. His father was 
born near Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and pur- 
sued a medical education, after which he 
engaged in practice in his native town and 
also in Scott county, Indiana. Subse- 
quently he removed to Coles county, Illi- 
nois, where he practiced for seven years 
and then went to Vermilion county, In- 
diana, where he continued his professional 
work until his life's labors were ended in 
death. His wife also passed away in that 
place. In their family were eight children, 
three of whom are yet living: John H., of 
this review; Daniel, a resident farmer of 
Lincoln county, Oklahoma; and Margaret 
who is the widow of William Coatney 
and lives in Danville. 

John H. Pettegrew accompanied his 
parents on their various removals during his 
youth and acquired a common-school edu- 
cation. He was about twenty years of age 
when he left home and came to Vermilion 
county, Illinois. He engaged in farming 
in Danville township in 1852 and followed 
that pursuit continuously for a quarter of 
a century, carefully cultivating his fields 
and caring for his crops until harvests were 
garnered in the late autumn and the sale of 



no 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



his products brought to him a creditable 
financial return for his labors. \Vhile re-, 
siding upon the farm Mr. Pettegrew chose 
a companion and helpmate for life's jour- 
ney. He wedded Miss Elsie Luddington 
and they li\-ed happily together for a num- 
ber of years, but the wife was at length 
called to the home beyond. There were 
four children born of that marriage: John 
T., a farmer who now resides in George- 
town township; Daniel, who is living in In- 
diana ; Clara, deceased ; and one that diefl 
in infancy. For his second wife Mr. Pet- 
tegrew chose Miss Susan Bullion, with 
whom he is now living. Unto them have 
been bom six children, but Clara, the eld- 
est, died in childhood. Marion is now 
clerking in a store in Himrod, this county. 
Charles is in the employ of the Nimrod 
Coal Company of that place. Mary is the 
wife of Charles Rice, a resident of Park 
county, Indiana. William married Anna 
Stuebe and is living in Georgetown town- 
ship. Park is a laborer of Danville. 

After his marriage Mr. Pettegrew set- 
tled on a farm near Newport, \'ermilion 
county, where he lived for six months. He 
then removed to Danville, where he was 
employed as a laborer and teamster until the 
Civil war broke out. He watched with in- 
terest the progress of events for a few 
months and then, feeling that his duty was 
to his country, he joined the army on the 
4th of iVugust, 1861, as a member of Com- 
pany F, Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry, un- 
der Captain Keith and Colonel Smith. On 
account of physical disability, however, he 
was discharged at Rolla, Missouri, in De- 
cember, 1861. He then returned to Dan- 
ville, where he was engaged in teaming for 
a year, after which he was elected constable 



and filled that position for two years. He 
was then chosen first deputy sheriff under 
Joseph X. Payton and filled that oftice 
continuously for twenty-three years under 
the various sheriffs of the county. He was 
prompt and fearless in the discharge of his^ 
duties and stood as a faithful defender of 
law and order. On his retirement from 
office he purchased a farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres on section 2, Georgetown 
township and there resided for twenty-one 
years, (le\-oting his energies to the cultiva- 
tion of his fields. In February, 1899, how- 
ever, his son took charge of the farm, al- 
though Mr. Pettegrew still remains its 
owner. He then returned to the city, where 
he is now living a retired life. .\t the pres- 
ent time he is filling the position of assist- 
ant county su])ervisor, having served for 
several terms in this oftice. He takes a 
deep and active interest in political affilia- 
tions, keeps well informed on the issues of 
the day, and always votes with the Republi- 
can party. Both he and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church of 
Georgetown townshija. Mr. Pettegrew 
paid four hundred dollars on that church. 
He has always been liberal in his support 
of church and charitable work and his ef- 
forts have been effective in this direction. 
In his business affairs he has prospered and 
is now one of the well-to-do citizens of 
Danville. Fle owns a nice residence at No. 
82 Columbus street and there hospitality 
abounds. The members of his household 
have many warm friends in the ci immunity 
and like Mr. i'ettegrew are held in high es- 
teem. He has long been in public service 
and over the record of his official career 
there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion 
of evil. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



III 



WILLIAM D. KUYKENDALL. 

Among the large land owners of Ver- 
milion county is numbered William D. Ku}'- 
kendall, Avho resides on section i, Middle- 
fork township. He has ;i wide acquaint- 
ance in this portion of the state, his business 
interests having brought him in contact with 
many, while his social qualities have made 
him a popular citizen. He is a native of 
Virginia, his birth having occurred in 
Hampshire county, now West Virginia, 
February ii, 1831. His father, Luke Kuy- 
kendall, was born in the same county in 
1812, and the grandfather, Isaac Kuyken- 
dall, was a native of the Old Dominion, 
where the fam.ily was established at an early 
epoch in the development of the state. Luke 
Kuykendall was reared in the place of his 
nativity and was there married to Elizabeth 
Welch, a native of the same locality. He 
was a farmer of Hampshire county for some 
years and afterward determined to seek a 
home in the far west, removing to Tippeca- 
noe county. Indiana, about 1852. There he 
resided for a number of years, after which 
he came to Illinois, the place of his destina- 
tion being Vermilion county, where he lo- 
cated in i860, his home being near Potomac. 
Pie was not long permitted to enjoy his new 
place of residence, for his death occurred 
ere a year had passed. 

In Hampshire county. West Virginia, 
William D. Kuykendall of this review was 
reared to manhood, receiving good educa- 
tional privileges in the common and higher 
schools. With the family he removed to 
the west and in 1858 he came to Vermilion 
count}', Illinois. Here he rented a fann for 
several years and after the war of the Re- 
bellion he purchased his first land, becom- 
ing the owner of a tract in Blount town- 
ship, comprising one hundred acres. This 



was an improved farm which he further de- 
veloped for one year and then removing to 
Danville he was there engaged in the liv- 
ery business with his brother Jacob, who is 
still a liveryman of that place. Their asso- 
ciation was maintained for eighteen years 
and then Mr. Kuykendall of this review sold 
his interest, although he is still the owner 
of a half interest in the brick barn in which 
his brother continues to conduct his stable. 
While in Danville our subject purchased 
projierty and built two good brick livery 
barns. The first one, however, was de- 
stroyed by fire, but with characteristic en- 
ergy he replaced it by one which is still 
standing. In 1889 Mr. Kuykendall re- 
moved from the city to the farm where he 
now resides, on section i, Middlefork town- 
ship. Here he has erected a large brick res- 
idence, which is one of the substantial homes 
of the county. He also has good bams and 
sheds for the shelter of grain and stock and 
the latest improved machinery facilitates the 
farm work. He has planted fruit and shade 
trees and shubbery and has carried on the 
work of improvement on the home place un- 
til his farm is one of the finest of the town- 
ship and stands as a monument of the enter- 
prise and labor of the owner. Mr. Kuyken- 
dall has to-day one thousand acres of well 
improved land in Vermilion county and his 
possessions are the visible evidence of his 
life of earnest an.d honorable toil. 

In 1862 Mr. Kuykendall went to Frank- 
lin county, Ohio, where he was married to 
Miss Emily J. Golliday, a native of the 
Buckeye state, her death occurring in Ver- 
milion county about 1870. They had two 
children: Frank, who is married and re- 
sides in Danville; and Susan Jane, the wife 
of Jay Freese, of Ogden, Illinois. In Ver- 
milion county Mr. Kuykendall was again 
married, in 1876, his second union being 



112 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



witli Miss Martlia J. Smitli. a daughter of 
John Sniitli, a native of England, who came 
to lUinois wlien the work of improvement 
and progress liere was just begun. The 
daughter was born and echicated in this 
county and by her marriage has become the 
mother of two children, Jacob S. and Mae 
A. The former is married and now fol- 
lows farming in Middlefork township. 

At local elections, where no issue is in- 
volved Mr. Kuykendall votes independently, 
his ballot being deposited in accordance with 
his faith in the capability of the candidate. 
In national affairs he was for many years a 
Democrat, but at the two last presidential 
elections he voted for William McKinley. 
He is a believer in prosperity and expansion 
and thinks that the work of the Republican 
party has furthered both during the last two 
presidential administrations. Alatters of 
pu1)lic improvement, promoting the growth 
and u|)l)uilding of his locality have also re- 
ceived his endorsement and co-operation 
during the forty-four years of his residence 
in \'ermilion county. He is well known in 
Danville and in Potomac, also in outlying 
districts of the county and his genial and 
social manner has gained for him inany 
warm friends. His business interests have 
ever been capably conducted along lines 
leading to success and to-day among the 
prosperous agriculturists he is classed. 



JAMES M. DOUGHERTY. 

The record of an honor.nble life should 
ever be a source of inspiration and encour- 
agement, and the history of James M. 
Dougherty is well worthy of emulation for 
he always lived so as to command the conh' 
dence and good will of his fellow men. He 



was true to high moral principles and his 
high moral character and rectitude of action, 
his unquestioned probity as well as his busi- 
ness ability made him a valued citizen of 
\'ermilion county. 

He was born in Brown county, Ohio, 
April 28, 1829. His father, James Dough- 
erty, was also a native of the Buckeye state, 
and in Brown county wedded Mary Kirk- 
patrick. who was there born and reared. 
The great-grandfather of our subject was 
of .Scotch-Trish descent and was b(.irn in 
Scotland. Desiring to become a resident of 
the new world he crossed the Atlantic to 
Maryland and at the time the colonies at- 
tempted to throw off the yoke of British op- 
pression he joined the American army and 
under General Washington fought for the 
independence of the nation until the glorious 
result was achieved. His son. Francis 
Doughterty, the grandfather of our subject, 
was born in Maryland and emigrating west- 
ward took up his abode in Ohio. Subse- 
quently he came to Illinois in 1830 and was 
one of the extensive landholders of this lo- 
calitv. His four sons, including the father 
of our stibject, then came to the west and 
cultivated the land which Francis Dougherty 
had purchased. Here he died in September, 
i860, and his wife, who bore the maiden 
name of Christian Hill, and whose mother 
was the daughter of an English lord, passed 
away in 1851. In addition to the four sons 
already mentioned they had four daughters 
who also came to Vermilion county. These 
children were as follows : Alexander died 
in \'ermilion county in 1888. He had mar- 
ried Jane Kirkpatrick who died in 1862, 
they had three daughters and one son, Jesse, 
whose death occurred while he was serving 
in the Civil war. Elizabeth became the wife 
of Mr. I-"errier. who died in \'ermilion coun- 
tv in 1836. Later, she married Samuel 




JAMES M DOUGHERTY 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



115 



Gilbert, whose tleath occurred in the '50s. 
Mrs. Gilbert passed away about 1867, leav- 
ing four children, all of whom are now de- 
ceased. James, the father of our subject, 
was the third of the family. Malinda be- 
came the wife of William Leeper and they 
resided in Bloomington, Illinois, but lx)th are 
now deceased. They left three sons and 
three daughters, and two of the sons and the 
daughters are yet living, namely : Mar- 
garet, who is matron of the Young Women's 
Christian Association, of Chicago; Eliza- 
beth, the wife of Dr. Wallace, of Decatur; 
Charles, a resident of New York ; and Will- 
iam, of ^Minneapolis. Maybary^ wedded 
Nancy Hickman and resided in Vermilion 
county until his death which occurred in 
1840. He left a son and three daughters, 
the latter all yet residents of this county. 
Margaret became the wife of Ira Butler and 
made her home in Vermilion county until 
her death, when she left two children of 
whom one is yet living. Samuel married 
Jane Dalby and has also passed away. He 
resided in this county and had four daugh- 
ters and three sons, of whom three daugh- 
ters and one son, Benjamin, are yet living. 
Nancy, the youngest member of the family 
of Francis Dougherty, died at the age of 
thirty years. 

James Dougherty, .the father of our sub- 
ject, came to Illinois in 1833, locating in 
Vermilion county, but was not long per- 
mitted to enjoy his new home, his death oc- 
curring in 1835, while his wife passed away 
in 1834. He was a Whig in his political 
views and was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. Of his family of four 
sons and one daughter we give the following 
record : Francis married Dassa Boggess, 
and she died leaving one child who has since 
passed away. He afterward married Susan 
Tavlor, who died leaving nine children ; 



Marcus, a resident of Shawnee, Oklahoma; 
Milton, of Kincaid, Kansas ; Louis and Al- 
vin, prominent merchants who reside in 
Logan, Kansas; Elizabeth, the wife of Sam- 
uel Parrish, of Missouri; Marietta, of Kin- 
caid, Kansas ; Lilly, the wife of John Irwin, 
who resides near Kincaid: James A., a trav- 
eling salesman residing in Portland, Ore- 
gon ; and Jennie, now deceased. After the 
death of Susan Taylor, Francis Dougherty 
wedded Belle McNeil and is now living in 
Kincaid, Kansas. They had four children, 
three of whom survive: Lyman, a traveling 
salesman representing a St. Joseph, Mis- 
souri, house; Charles, who is living near 
Kincaid ; and Francis, who resides with his 
father. Kirkpatrick died at the age of one^ 
year. John Dougherty, the second member 
of the family of James and Mary (Kirkpat- 
rick) Dougherty, wedded Margaret Cheno- 
weth and after her death wedded Cida 
Graves. He has since died and his widow is 
residing in Fairmount. Of this union there 
were two daughters and three sons : Law- 
rence and Joseph, who are living in Buena 
Vista, Colorado; Molly, the widow of Dr. 
Wright, and a resident of Danville; and 
Berta, of Fairmount. Charles, the young- 
est child, died in 1873. James M. Dougherty 
is the third member of the family. Joseph, 
now decea.sed, married Louisa Neville, and 
they had two sons, of whom one is living, 
Alfred, of Lincoln. Illinois. Edwin's death 
occurred in 1890. Mary Dougherty died at 
the age of sixteen years in the year 1841. 

James M. Dougherty began his education 
in the usual style of schoolhouse of the 
period, built of hewed logs, furnished with 
slab seats and lighted by greased paper win- 
dows. This building stood at the northeast 
corner of what is now the homestead farm. 
His opportunities, however, like those of 
other early settlers, were \ery limited and his 



Ii6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



education was largely acquired in tlie prac- 
tical school of experience. His father hav- 
ing died when he was six years of age, he 
lived with his grandfather, Francis Dough- 
erty, and worked upon the farm. After the 
grandfatlier's death he managed the prop- 
erty, and he inherited forty acres of timher- 
land from his father, and purchjised eighty 
acres of prairie land, thus becoming the 
owner of a good farm. Later he traded his 
eighty acres for a valuable tract of land in 
Vance township, and in order to further 
complete his arrangements for having a 
home of his own Mr. Dougherty was mar- 
ried March 30. 1854, near Catlin, to Sarepta 
Jane Taylor, who was born in Tippecanoe 
countv, Indiana, September 5, 1837. Her 
father, Thomas A. Taylor, was a son of 
Harrison Taylor and a descendant of Zach- 
arv Taylor. He was a native of \^irginia, 
whence he removed to Kentucky and there 
died. His wife bore the maiden name of 
Elizabeth Allen, and also died in Kentucky. 
Thev were the ];arents of four s'lns and four 
daughters, all now deceased. Thomas Tay- 
lor was Ixirn in Kentucky, and in Tippecanoe 
county, Indiana, he married Iva Allen, whose 
birth occurred in Bourbon county, Kentucky. 
They liegan their domestic life in Tippecanoe 
countv, Indiana, where Mr. Taylor followed 
the tanner's trade and farming. In 1853 he 
came to \'ermilion county, purchasing five 
hundred acres of land, which he continued to 
cultivate until his death, which occurred 
September 20, 1876. His wife died Decem- 
ber 3, 1803. I" politics Mr. Taylor was first 
a \\"hig and afterward a Republican, and in 
religious faith he was a Cumberland Presby- 
terian. 

At the time of their marriage Mr. 
Dougherty and his wife lived in a double log 
house on their eighty acres of land in \'ance 
township, and he afterward purchased an 



additional tract of eighty acres. In 1864 
they removed to Fainnount, where he en- 
gaged in the livery business for three years. 
He next purcliased what is now the home- 
stead farm of about three hundred acres, re- 
siding thereon for two years. On account of 
his own ill health and his desire to give his 
children better educational privileges he then 
removed to Dan\ illc. where for a time he was 
engaged in the butchering business. In con- 
nection with Benjamin Crane he built the 
Arlington Hotel in 1876, it l)eing opened 
with impressive ceremonies on the 4th of 
July of the centennial year. In the fall of 
1876, however, Mr. Dougherty left Dan- 
ville and througli the succeeding year lived 
in Fairmount, after which he erected a hand- 
some and commodious residence upon his 
farm, taking up his abode there. It contin- 
ued to be his place of residence until his 
death, which occurred January 14, 1889, 
and lie was laid to rest in Dougherty ceme- 
tery. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dough- 
erty was blessed by the birth of six children : 
Mary, born February 26, 1855, died October 
25, i860. Enmia, born June 28, 1857, was 
married October 16, 1894, to H. Jester 
Stearns, and they reside on a farm near Man- 
son, Iowa. They have one son, Dorrance. 
For sex'eral years ?\Irs. Stearns served as a 
school director. Eva Frances, born May 22, 
i860, became the -wife of William Pankey, 
June 23, 1 886, and they reside in Danville 
with their three children, Loyette, Dwight 
and Lortdn. William Pankey is an attor- 
ney and manager of the X'ermilion County' 
Abstract Company. Alfred A., born January 
29, 1863, died September 25, 1864. Maud L., 
born June 3, 1866, resides with her mother.' 
Clara Kirkpatrick, born August 25, 1869, 
wqs married December 28, 1894, to Dr. A. 
FI. Leitzbach, of Fairmount. Thev have one 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



"7 



daughter, Elizabeth. Miss Mande possesses 
exceptional artistic ability and was educated 
in her art under Professor Aulich, of Chi- 
cago. She studied miniature work with Miss 
Cecile Payen, of New York. She also fur- 
ther prepared herself in this direction at the 
Julian Art Academy, in Paris, France. On 
account of ill health she is unable to devote 
her time to teaching, as she had hoped to 
do, but she still gives considerable attention 
to painting. 

In his political views James M. Dough- 
erty was first a Whig, afterward a Republi- 
can and later a Prohibitionist. He served as 
a candidate for representative from his dis- 
trict and succeeded in polling a large vote 
which made his defeat almost a victory. He 
held a number of township offices, the duties 
of which he discharged with marked prompt- 
ness and fidelity. He was a member of the 
Presbyterian church, served as elder of the 
church of that denomination in Danville for 
three years, and occupied a similar position 
in Fairmount. He was very charitable and 
generous, a consistent Christian man whose 
life was noble, whose motives were honor- 
able, and whose actions were manly and sin- 
cere. 



JOHN P. SWANK. 



Among the substantial farmers of Ver- 
milion county who have helped develop its 
natural resources and make it what it is to- 
day — one of the richest counties of the 
great state of Illinois — is numbered John 
P. Swank, now deceased. He was born in 
Indianola, Illinois, December i8, 1824. 
His parents were Ohio people who emigrat- 
ed to Vermilion county, Illinois, at a very 
early date in the history of the county. 



They became pioneers of the county and 
contributed much to the growth and prog- 
ress of their community. Mr. Swank had 
three brothers, and four sisters, and one 
brother and one sister are living in Kansas. 
In the public schools of Carroll town- 
ship Mr. Swank was educated. He was 
reared on the home farm, early becoming 
familiar with the work of field and meadow, 
and thus acquiring a practical knowledge 
of the occupation which afterward became 
his life work. He was united in marriage 
to Miss Phebe Dickson, February 18, 1851, 
at Indianola, Illinois. She was born in In-- 
dianola. May 17, 1829, and is a daughter of 
John and Elizabeth (Doyle) Dickson, both 
of whom were born near Louisville, Ken- 
tucky. They were the parents of the fol- 
lowing children : Nancy Dickson Hub- 
bard, now deceased : Mrs. Swank ; Mary 
Jane, deceased; Simon, who died in the ser- 
vice of his country, being killed in the Civil 
war in 1863; James, a farmer of Fair- 
mount, Illinois, who is living with his son, 
his wife, Amanda (Shepherd) Dickson be- 
ing deceased ; and Elizabeth, who died in 
early girlhood. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Swank 
were born the following sons and daugh- 
ters: Albert D. is a farmer residing at 
CoUison, Illinois. He married Sarah 
Smart and they have one daughter, Pearl, 
who is noted as a successful trained nurse. 
He is fifty years of age. Gilbert E., aged 
forty-eight years, lives on a farm near In- 
dianola. He married Emma Carter, who 
died some years ago, and he afterward was 
married to Anna Poindexter. Of this mar- 
riage there was born one child, Zelda, who 
is now nine years of age. Robert P., aged 
forty-six years, is a farmer of Indianola. He 
married Mary Dickson. Alice is the wife of J. 
Harvey Patterson. They have one lovely 



Ii8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



child, Erceil, aged nine years. Edward, aged 
forty-one years, is a resident farmer of In- 
dianola. He was united in marriage 
to Drusilla Lane, and is the fifth and 
youngest child in the family. In his poli- 
tical views Mr. Swank was a Democrat, 
and his sons all followed his helief and are 
all adherents to the cause of that party and 
its principles. In his life Mr. Swank ex- 
emplified the spirit of true manliness and he 
was highly regarded by all with whom he 
was associated. This was not because of 
his position as a leading and substantial 
man of the community, Init because his 
character was so upright and honorable that 
they could not fail to respect and admire 
him. When he died he was laid to rest in 
W'oodlawn cemetery, at Indianola. His 
death occurred June 8. 1894, and many 
friends besides the immediate family 
mourned his loss. Mrs. Swank makes her 
home on the old place at Indianola, and in 
her declining- years she is being tenderly 
cared for by her children. The old age of a 
man or woman who have spent life rightly, 
is always beautiful to contemplate. Mrs. 
Swank has done this, and she receives the 
reverence and love of all who know her. 



GEORGE W. REILLY. 

The energies and efforts of George W. 
Reilly have been exerted along lines which 
have proven of benefit to his fellow men 
and he is well known as a ])rominent manu- 
facturer, church worker and also as a lead- 
hig representative of the fraternal order of 
the Modern^ Woodmen of America. His 
lal)ors in each direction have brought to him 
a wide acquaintance and he has accomplished 



much in each line of activity so that he well 
deserves mention among the leading and 
representative men of Danville and Vermil- 
ion county, where he has made his home 
since the fall of 1868. 

Mr. Reilly was born in Lafayette, In- 
diana, May II, 1852. His father, Luke 
Reilly, was a native of Ireland and spent his 
youth on the Emerald Isle. He sailed for 
the new world in 1830. He was a lawyer 
by profession, and, locating in Lafayette, 
he there engaged in practice until 1868, dur- 
ing which time he was also elected and 
served as states attorney. In the year men- 
tioned he came to Dan\'ille where he opened 
a law office and soon became known as one 
of the able and distinguished members of 
the bar at this place. For many years he en- 
joyed a large clientage which was indicative 
of the skill which he manifested in his pro- 
fession. His last days were spent in Dan- 
ville, where he passed away at the ripe old 
age of eighty-four years in 1897. 

George W. Reilly was reared in this city 
and pursued his education in the Danville 
schools. After ])utting aside his text books 
he learned the harness maker's trade, which 
be afterward followed as a journeyman for 
several years. Subsequently he l^ecame fore- 
man of a large manufacturing establish- 
ment, acting in that capacity for eight years, 
when he began manufacturing on his own 
account and continued the business with 
signal success until 1901, when he retired 
from active business life. 

Politically Mr. Reilly has 1)een a life 
long Republican, his first vote having been 
cast for Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876, while 
each presidential nominee of the party since 
that time has also received his support. He 
is quite active in local politics, but the honors 
and emoluments of public office have had 




LUKE REILLY. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



125 



no attraction for him personally. He was, 
however, solicited to become a candidate for 
supervisor in 1898, and, consenting, he was 
elected to the office and ser\-ed for two 
years. He established during that time a 
system of records unlike what had been be- 
fore used. The expenditures previous to this 
time had been very extravagant and during 
his term of service he saved to the county 
twenty-two thousand five hundred and eigh- 
teen dollars. He was also president of the 
town board, occupying that position for two , 
years and on the expiration of his term he 
declined further political honors. 

Ml'. Reilly joined the Modern Woodmen 
in 1886, becoming a member of the local 
camp and at once taking active part in its 
work. He was instrumental in increasing 
its membership from eighteen to six hun- 
dred and for twelve years he served as coun- 
sel. In 1890 he was elected a delegate to 
the head camp and continued a member of 
every head camp until 1901. In that year 
he was elected a member of the board of di- 
rectors, a very responsible position and has 
since given his entire time to the order. This 
board pays out from five to six thousand 
dollars per month and the sum is constantly 
increasing as the membership of the fra- 
ternity grows. Mr. Reilly has firm faith 
and deep interest in the order, realizing how 
valuable it is as an insurance organization, 
protecting its members in illness and pro- 
viding for their families at death. He is 
justly proud of what the society has already 
accomplished and he has contributed in no 
small degree to this result. He also belongs 
to Danville Lodge No. 69, I. O. O. P., in 
which he served as financial secretary for 
four years. He likewise belongs to the en- 
campment of that order and both he and 
his wife are connected with the Rebecca de- 



gree. He is a member of the Tribe of Ben 
Hur, of the Court of Honor and is a mem- 
ber of the auditing board of the supreme 
court of the last named organization. He has 
filled many positions of honor and trust anc 
to whatever office he has been called he has- 
been found faithful, diligent and efficient. 

Mr. Reilly was married in Danville, No- 
vember 4, 1874, to Miss Amanda Decker ,^ 
a native of Hancock county, Ohio, and a 
daughter of Jeremiah Decker, who removed 
from the Buckeye state to Iroquois county,. 
Illinois, locating near Watseka, where Mrs 
Reilly was reared. Her father died when 
she was only five years of age and she then 
lived with her grandfather in Iroquois county 
until sixteen years of age. WHien a young^ 
lady she came to Danville, further pursued 
her education here and in this city gave her 
hand in marriage to the subject of this re- 
view. Lhito them have been born seven 
children. Gordon L., a business man of 
this city, is married and has one daughter, 
Edna. Louie C. is a stenographer holding 
a position in the head office of the Woodmen 
fraternity of Rock Island. Walter S., Irma, 
Georgie and Helen are at home. They also 
lost one son, George William, who died in 
1878 at the age of two years. The parents 
belong to the Kimber Methodist Episcopal 
church and for several years Mr. Reilly was 
superintendent of the Sunday-school, which 
for three years was the largest Sunday- 
school of the city, owing to his earnest and 
indefatigable efforts in its behalf. He has 
erected three residences in Danville and has 
aided in improving the city along many 
lines. A man of strong purpose, of indubit- 
able probity, of marked devotion to any 
cause which he espouses, he has at all times 
and in all places commanded the respect and. 
confidence of his fellow men. 



124 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



TI-IOMAS A. HOWARD. 

Thomas A. Howard, wlio was born in 
West Virginia, January 4, 1852, is a son of 
J. \\^ and Sarah (Adams) Howard, who 
w'ere natives of Virginia and were there 
married. Our subject was the third in order 
of birtl: in the family of three children and 
was educated in Iowa and in \^ermilion 
county, Illinois, while upon his father's 
farm he was reared, working in the fields 
through the months of summer and attend- 
ing school through the winter seasons. At 
the age of twenty-one he engaged in farm- 
ing on his own account and about 1880 he 
turned his attention to the confectionery 
business, which he conducted for a time and 
then established a meat market which he 
carried on for two years. He built the first 
twostory building in Fairmount and en- 
tered the grocery trade, being identified with 
that line of commercial activity until 1901. 
In his various business enterprises lie has 
been successful, carefully controlling his af- 
fairs and \\Sth keen foresight and energy 
conducting his interests until they have been 
made to yield to him a good return. 

On the nth of October, 1881, Mr. 
Howard was united in marriage to Miss Ju- 
lia Lee, who was born in Vermilion county, 
September 25, 1855, a daughter of John and 
Elizabeth Jane (Saddler) Lee, both of 
whom are natives of West Virginia and be- 
came pioneer settlers of Vermilion county. 
Mrs. Howard was the third of their 
nine children and pursued her education in 
the public schools until she had entered upon 
the work of the senior yean She is an artist 
of exceptional ability, displaying particular 
skill in oil paintings, whereby she has won 
several premiums at the various fairs in Ho- 
mer and in Danville. She has engaged in 
teaching art for several years and a number 



of beautiful paintings of her production 
adoni the walls of her home. L^nto Mr. and 
Mrs. Howard have been born two children: 
Lottie Lee, who was married in June, 1900, 
to Thomas Hughes, of Fairmount; and Jo- 
seph Conrad, who is now thirteen years of 
age and is a student in the Fairmount 
schools. In his political views Mr. Howard 
is a Republican and is recognized as one of 
the leaders of his party in this locality. 
Called to public office by the vote of his fel- 
low townsmen, he served for two years on 
the board of aldermen and is now serving 
his second term as mayor of Fairmount, his 
re-election being indicative of his loyalty 
and efficient service. The cause of educa- 
tion has also found in him a warm friend 
and his co-operation in behalf of the schools 
has been of marked benefit. He is a liberal 
contributor toward the erection of the Bap- 
tist church now being constructed, and 
everything pertaining to the general good 
has found in him a friend, in fact, he has 
been a co-operant factor in whatever tends 
to advance the general welfare. He belongs 
to the blue lodge of Masons in Fairmount, 
in which he has passed all of the chairs and 
is also a meml>er of the Modern Woodmen 
Camp and the Court of Honor. Both he and 
his wife hold membership in the Baptist 
church and take an active interest in its 
work, Mrs. Howard serving as a teacher in 
the Sunday-school and as leader of the choir 
for a number of years. Mr. Howard can go 
back in memory to the pioneer epoch in the 
history of Vermilion county when the deer 
ran over the hills and when lesser wild game 
was to be had in abundance. This country 
was all wild, open prairie and the trees and 
bushes were the native growth. Mr. How- 
ard has always greatly enjoyed hunting and 
has killed many deer, bears and wild cats. 
A witness of the growth of the county he 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



125 



has seen it advance from its pioneer condi- 
tions to take its place with the leading coun- 
ties of this great commonwealth, and what- 
ever has been of benefit to the community 
has received his endorsement. 



JOHN M. CUSTER. 

John M. Custer, who is now practically 
living a retired life after a long and honor- 
able connection with business affairs in 
which he gained for himself a handsome 
competence, was born in Putnam county 
West Virginia, on the 3d of April, 1831. 
He is a son of John M. Custer, who was a 
farmer by occu^^ation and was born and 
reared in eastern Virginia. On leaving the 
Old Dominion the father emigrated west- 
ward to Champaign county, Illinois, set- 
tling in Homer in the '60s, but he was not 
long permitted to enjoy his new place of 
residence, his death occurring the following 
year. His wife, who bore the maiden name 
of Mary Brown and who was of English 
lineage, died when her son John was a boy 
of only ten years. There were six children 
by that marriage. The sisters are all now 
deceased, while the brothers of our subject 
are M. B. and Edward Custer, both well 
known farmers. After the death of his first 
wife John j\I. Custer, the father of our sub- 
ject, was married in Ohio to Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Meyers, who died in Urbana, Illinois, 
in 1902. 

The subject of this review began his 
education in a log schoolhouse with a dirt 
floor, split puncheon benches and greased 
paper windows, while the immense fireplace 
that occupied one end of the room, was 
built of mud and sticks. He received only 



limited educational privileges but in the 
school of experience he learned many valu- 
able lessons. In his early youth he worked 
in field and meadow, assisting his father on 
the home farm until he was eighteen years 
of age, when he made his way to Homer, 
Champaign county, Illinois. There he went 
to school for one year and followed farm- 
ing as a laborer for some time. On the 20th 
of April, 1858, he rented land and com- 
menced its cultivation on his own account. 

On the 20th of April of that year Mr. 
Custer was united in marriage to Miss 
Lauretta Long, who was born in Vermilion 
■ county, October 30, 1840, her parents hav- 
ing located here at an early day. She was a 
daughter of J. C. and Philadelphia F., 
(Spicer) Long, the former a native of Ohio 
and the latter of Kentucky, their marriage, 
howe\-er, being celebrated in Georgetown, 
Illinois. In his early life the father was a 
blacksmith by trade, but became identified 
with the ministry of the Methodist Episco- 
pal church and labored in behalf of that de- 
nomination until his death, which occurred 
near Urbana, Champaign county, in 1886. 
He was at that time a member of the con- 
ference, although he held superannuated re- 
lations with it. His wife died in 1869 and 
was buried in the Concord cemetery near 
Georgetown. 

At the time of his marriage Mr. Custer 
of this review was engaged in managing a 
hotel in Homer. In 1870 he removed to 
South Danville, where he has since been en- 
gaged in the ice business and in farming. 
He owns fifty acres of land on the river 
bottom between Danville and South Dan- 
ville. He continued alone in the ice trade 
until 1888, when he entered into partner- 
ship with John Beard. . The firm now util- 
izes eight wagons in the delivery of its pro- 



126 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



duct and its partners are regarded as the 
leading ice men of Danville. Their ice 
houses have a capacity of nine thousand 
tons and their trade is very extensive, the 
business constantly increasing. For several 
seasons Mr. Custer also engaged in tthe 
operating of coal mines on a small scale, 
working drift mines. To a large extent he 
is living retired, although he is still inter- 
ested in the ice business and looks after his 
land. 

Unto our subject and his wife have been 
born six children : Fannie, the wife of John 
Weaver, of Fairmount ; Mrs. Luella Yount, 
of Homer; John C, who married IMatilda 
Dickinson, of Danville, and is now manag- 
ing the ice business for the firm of Beard & 
Custer: Charles E., who is employed as a 
salesman by Isaac Stearns, of this city; May 
Viola, who is making a specialty of the 
study of vocal music ; Gertrude, at home ; 
and Jessie, who died at the age of four 
years. 

In his political views Air. Custer is a 
Republican and has several times been a 
member of the South Danville coun- 
cil. He belongs to Olive Branch Lodge, 
No. 38, F. & A. M.; to Chapter, No. 82, 
R. A. M. ; and to the commandery, Xo. 45, 
K. T. In his life he exemplifies the benev- 
olent spirit of the fraternity which is based 
upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly 
kindness. He is enterprising, intelligent, 
become one of the leading business men of 
honest man. Starting in life poor he has 
this city. His career has not been marked 
by business failure and vicissitudes, but by 
steady progress and straightforwardness. 
The methods which he adopted have been 
such as to lead to sucqess and therefore he is 
now enabled to live in practical retirement 
with a comfortable competence to supply 



him with all the necessaries and many of the 
luxuries of life. He has passed the psalm- 
ist's allotted span of three .score years and 
ten, being now se\enty-two years of age, 
but he still manifests an active interest in 
the city where he has so long resided and 
the welfare and progress to which he has 
largely contributed through his active co- 
operation in behalf of measures for the gen- 
eral good. 



MICHAEL KELLEY. 

A glance at the history of past centuries 
will indicate at once what would be the con- 
dition of the world if the mining interests 
no longer had a part in the industrial and 
commercial life. Only a few centuries ago 
agriculture was almost the only occupation 
of man and the landed proprietor surround- 
ed himself with his tenants and his servants 
who tilled his broad fields, while he reaped 
the reward of their labors; but when the rich 
mineral resources of the world were placed 
upon the market, industry found its way into 
newer and broader fields ; minerals were used 
in the construction of hundreds of inventions 
and the business of nations was revolution- 
ized. When considering these facts we can 
in a measure determine the value to man- 
kind of the mining interests. One who is 
connected with the mineral resources of Illi- 
nois is Michael Kelley. who is one of the 
oldest if not the oldest coal dealer in this^ 
state, operating extensive mines and having 
contracts for supplying some of the largest 
industrial concerns of the country with coal. 

Mr. Kelley was born in Ireland in 1837 
and was twenty years of age when he crossed 
the Atlantic to America, arriving in New- 
York on the 24th of July, 1857. He there 




MICHAEL KELLY 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



129 



remained until October of the succeeding 
year and worked for the g-overnment on 
fortifications at old Fort Schuyler on East 
river. He afterward spent four months in 
Pennsylvania and then came to Danville, in 
February, 1859. He was here employed in 
a brickyard through one summer and the 
next year secured work in the coal mines 
on the bluff, in i860. As his earnest labors 
brought to him some capital he resolved to 
engage in business for himself and purchased 
a piece of land which is now included within 
the city limits of Danville, being located near 
the Children's Home. He sold three acres 
of this but a portion of it he still retains. 
I\Ir. Kelley worked that place until about 
eighteen years ago, \vhen he bought twenty- 
six acres of land on South Fork, three miles 
from Danville, along the Chicago & Eastern 
Illinois Railroad. He tjien sunk a mine to 
the depth of seventy feet and continued its 
operation for ten years. In the meantime 
he sunk several other mines in the same lo- 
cality. He now operates six mines, being 
the largest mine operator in Vermilion coun- 
ty. His output in 1902 from two of his 
mines was eight hundred thousand tons. He 
now owns in one body eight thousand acres 
of land, on which he has si.x mines which 
are in operation, while another is now being 
started. As he has increased his business 
along this line he has also extended his la- 
bors into other fields of business activity, 
his efforts covering a wide scope. He built 
both the town of Kelleyville and Westville 
upon his land. The former was established 
without saloons and has been so continued. 
Mr. Kelley owns three general stores in Kel- 
leyville, and one in Westville, and he 
owns about three hundred and fifty houses 
in those places. He has another gen- 
eral store in Danville. Fie employs about 

6 



two thousand se\'en hundred men in the 
mines, and the output for 1903 will be a 
little over two million one hundred and! 
fifty-four tons of coal. Probably no 
other resident in the county has done so 
much for his fellow men in the way of fur- 
nisiiing employment and thus enabling oth-- 
ers to serve him and retain their self-respect 
because they are self-supporting and inde- 
pendent. Fle is now under contract to fur- 
nish six hundred thousand tons of coal to 
the Standard Oil Company of Chicago each 
year and nine hundred thousand tons each 
year to the Illinois Steel Company for use 
in its plants in Chicago and Joliet. 

Mr. Kelley is generous of his means and 
those in need of assistance are often helped 
by him. He possesses a most benevolent 
and humanitarian spirit. He is now build- 
ing a lirick schoolhouse at \\^estviile which 
will cost lietween eight and ten thousand 
dollars. This will be a free school in charge 
of the Catholic sisters and will be given to 
the city. Mr. Kelley is a lilseral supporter 
of churches of all denominations and gives 
freely to enterprises calculated to prove of 
general good. In 1865, in Danville, was 
celebrated the marriage of our subject and 
Miss Mary Dunn, who was born in the 
Empire state. They now have two sons and 
three daughters: Michael, who married 
Birdie Podgett; Edward, who is engaged in 
bookkeeping for his father; Nellie, Ruth 
and Jennie, all at home. The family have 
an elegant home opposite the postoffice. the 
former residence of Judge Davis. Mr. and 
Mrs. Kelley lost one child, Mary, who was a 
graduate of the Catholic school at Notre 
Dame, Indiana, who died in 1900, at the age 
of twaity-four years. Two daughters. 
Ruth and Jennie, are now students at St. 
Mary's Academy, Notre Dame, Indiana. 



130 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



The famil}' are cummunicants of the Cath- 
ohc churcli. 

In his youth Air. Kelley had very 
limited opportunities for acquiring an edu- 
cation or to gain a start in life. He says 
that when he came to Danville he had noth- 
ing hut his health. That condition is a strong 
contrast to his present financial standing, 
for he today ranks among the wealthy men 
.of this state. All this is due to his business 
■■ability, his enterprise and unremitting la- 
bor. His life has ever been a very l)usy one 
and that he has advanced beyond others 
on the road to success is due not to any in- 
herited fortune or to a combination of lucky 
circumstances, but is the direct result of the 
exercise of qualities which may be culti- 
vated by all. His wealth has come to him 
from the discrimination and utilization of 
opportunity and the most envious cannot 
grudge him his success, so honorably has it 
been won and so worthily used is it. 



' SAMUEL W. BAUM. 

The three essential elements of success 
— industry, energy and jntelligence — may 
be acquired by all. They do not come 
through hereditary tendencies, save in a la- 
tent form which must be developed through 
exercise; they cannot be received as a leg- 
acy : nor can they be purchased. They are 
a matter of acquirement through cultivation 
and thus in a country unhampered by caste 
or class the road to success is open to all. 
Samuel W. Baum may well be termed a self- 
made man. for while he stands to-day 
among the prosperous men of Vermilion 
county, he was at the outset of his business 
career empty-handed and dependent entire- 
ly upon his own exertions. He became a 



leading farmer and stock-raiser, also ex- 
tended his ett'orts into other fields of en- 
deavor and now he is living retired in the en- 
joyment of the competence which he has 
gained. 

Mr. Baum was born February 15, 1842, 
on the old family homestead in Carroll 
township, Vermilion county, a son of Sam- 
uel and Sarah (Weaver) Baum. He be- 
gan his education in a little log schoolhouse 
in Indianola and after a few weeks entered 
a subscriptidu school taught in the old house 
that now stands i)eside the Baptist church. 
The teachers "boarded round" at the homes 
of the pupils. For two summers he was un- 
der the instruction of a capable lady teacher. 
Later he attended only for about two and a 
half months in the winter season, but in la- 
ter years he cultivated a power of observing 
as well as a love of reading and thus he con- 
tinually broadened his knowledge, becoming 
a well informed man. His father believed 
in keeping the boys busy and thus he early 
became familiar with hard work. He 
would break prairie with six yoke of oxen, 
turning a twenty-two inch furrow. After 
his father's death he left home and was em- 
ployed for a time as a farm hand by the day. 
His younger brother remained at home and 
as they each had a horse they had bought 
they made a team, purchased a plow and set 
of harness and rented their father's farm 
from the executors. After farming togeth- 
er for a year the\' borrowed some money 
and began buying yearling cattle, which they 
fed and grazed until they were three years 
old. when they fattened them and sold. The 
second vcar they both owned a team and re- 
mained on the farm. Their first crop 
brought eight and ten cents per bushel, but 
in war times prices advanced. 

When the estate was settled Samuel W. 
Baum received his share — eightv acres of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



t3i 



raw prairie, and after the f(jurth year he 
broke this. The timber with which he 
fenced it, he hauled seven miles. His uncle 
said he would not fence it for the land — 
such was the estimate placed on prairie at 
that time. The next year Mr. Baum bought 
anotlier eighty- acre tract, fenced the entire 
amount and placed it under the plow. Dur- 
ing this time he and his brother had contin- 
ued in the cattle business together and the 
partnership was maintained until 1872, dur- 
ing which time thev became extensive ship- 
pers of and dealers in cattle. They then dis- 
solved partnership, but Mr. Baum continued 
the business and from time to time he pur- 
chased more land until his possessions now 
aggregate fourteen hundred acres in Ver- 
milion county. I'br several years he boarded 
Avith his sister, Mrs. Pugh, who lived near 
by, and then he erected a small frame house, 
but later made extensive, valuable and splen- 
did improvements on his farm until it was 
one of the best countr)' seats of this portion 
of the state. There he lived until Novem- 
ber, 1S90, when he removed to Danville, 
and after two years he came to Indianola. 
Avhere he purchased property and has since 
made his home. While he is practically liv- 
ing retired, he yet gives his supervision to 
his large farm. He has been one of the most 
■extensive dealers in cattle in eastern Illinois 
and for many years he was interested in 
fancy stock. In 1892 he fed six head of two 
years-old steers, that weighed on an average 
of nineteen hundred and fifty pounds. For 
many years he bred fancy shorthorn cattle, 
and he gave some attention to horses but 
made a specialty of beef cattle and hogs. For 
a time he was connected with the Danville 
Fair Association and the Indianola Associa- 
tion, and has ever been interested in what- 
ever tends to promote advancement along 
agricultural lines. His attention, however. 



has not been confined entirely to farm pro- 
ducts and kindred industries for he is a 
stockholder in the large Emery dry-goods 
house of Danville. 

On the 5th of November, 1879, Mr. 
Baum was united in marriage to j\Iiss Delia 
Stewart, a native of X'ermilion county and 
a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Jane 
(Cochran) Stewart. She was born on the 
old Achilles Morgan farm in the first brick 
house built in this county. Her parents 
were natives of Browri county, Ohio, were 
there married and in an early day went to 
Woodford county, Illinois. They went 
down the Ohio to the Mississippi, then up 
the latter to the Illinois and after following 
that waterwa}- for a time, landed at Spring 
Bay. whence they proceeded on horse back 
to their destination. After a residence of 
five or six years in Woodford county they 
came to Vermilion county and purchased 
the old Morgan farm in (ieorgetown town- 
ship, .southeast of Danville. Mr. Stewart 
lived to be sixty-four years of age and died 
in Danville, to which place he had removed 
after his children had married and left 
home. His widow now makes her home 
with her youngest daughter, Mrs. R. A. 
Rouse. To them were born seven daugh- 
ters : Mary Malinda, who died when three 
months old; Thamer Elizabeth, the twin of 
Mary and the wife of Thomas Patrick, who 
is a farmer of Vermilion county, Indiana; 
Lavina, the wife of J. C. Maddox, of Sidell 
township ; Sarah Amanda, who died at the 
age of five years; Josephine, the wife of 
Jasper N. Baum, of Edgar county, Illinois; 
Delia, the wife of Samuel Baum ; and Dol- 
lie, the wife of R. A. Rouse, of Danville. 

In politics Samuel Baum has been a Re- 
publican since voting for Abraham Lincoln 
in 1S64, but he has never held or wanted of- 
fice, preferring to give his attention to his 



132 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



business affairs, in \\hicli lie has met with 
signal success. He is a self-niatle man in 
the best sense of that term, having had 
no assistance in his business career, and 
while winning prosperity he has also gained 
the respect and goodwill of his fellow men 
and is numbered among the valued and lead- 
ing men of the county. 



FRANCIS ASBURY COLLISON. 

J'rancis Asbury Collison is an extensive 
land owner and stock dealer in \'ermilion 
county, controlling large business interests, 
which demand executive force and ability, 
keen foresight and enterprise. He is wide- 
ly known throughout the county as "Bury" 
Colliscm and is recognized as one of the lead- 
ing representatives of stock-dealing interests 
of this ])ortion of the state. \''ennilion 
county claims him as one of her native sons, 
hfs birth having occurred June 25. 1837, in 
Pilot township, upon a farm which forms a 
part of his estate. He obtained his early 
education in the log school house and re- 
mained at home with his parents vintil 
twenty-two years of age, after which he was 
associated with his brother in Potomac for 
a year or two. 

On the 25th of October, 1866. Mr. Col- 
lison was united in marriage to Xannie J. 
Howard, who was born in Pilot township, 
February 20, 1846, a daughter of Joseph 
and Sarah (Martin) Howard. Her mother 
died during the infancy of Mrs. Collison 
and the father passed away when she was 
but five years of age. She had one sister, 
Margaret, and a half brother. G. C. How- 
ard, but the former died at the age of six- 
teen years. After the death of his first wife 



Mr. Howard had married Miss Barbara 
(Snyder j Morrison, who is now living in 
Potomac and is the widow of William I. 
Allen. 

The marriage of our subject and his 
wife was lilessed with nine children, of 
whom se\'en sur\ive. Fred married Fmma 
Martin and is lixing in Rantoul. Harry 
married Mollie Martin, a sister of his- 
brother's wife, and the two brothers are en- 
gagcil m the banking business, conducting 
the First National Bank of Rantoul. Lillie 
is the wife of David Fowler, of Danville 
township. Lulu, a twin sister of Lillie, is 
the wife of Robert Pollock, who is a stock- 
holder and cashier of the bank at Gilman. 
Illinois. Mae is the wife of E. G. Stephens, 
a farmer of Pilot township. ]\Iaude is the 
wife of Charles Atwood, who is conducting 
a general store in Collison. Nellie com- 
pletes the family. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Collison 
also have eight grandchildren. Thev lost 
two children : Joseph, who died at the age 
of seven months ; and Jessie, who died at the 
age of three months. He had given to tlieir 
children excellent educational jjrivileges. 
The youngest son is a graduate of the law 
department of the University of .Michigan 
at Ann .Arbor and was admitted to the Illi- 
nois bar but ne\-er practiced. I'red is a 
graduate of the (iem City Business Col- 
lege of Ouincy, Illinois, and for a number 
of terms engaged in teaching in the district 
schools and in the intermediate department 
of the public .schools of Indianola. The twin 
daughters attended De Pauw L^niversitv at 
(ireencastle. Indiana, and IMaude was a stu- 
dent in the Normal School at Normal, Il- 
linois. 

The first land which Mr. Collison ever 
owned \\as a tract of one hundred and 
twentv acres which he receixed as his share 






\c 




THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



135 



of the estate which belonged to his father, 
who was the owner of nine hundred acres, 
and to this property our subject has added 
from time to time until his landed posses- 
sions now aggregate between eleven and 
twehe hundred acres, all of which is located 
in Pilot township with the exception of a 
quarter section in Oakwood ' township. 
From the age of sixteen years he has been 
•engaged in the stock business, giving much 
of his time to dealing in live stock. In an 
€arly day he drove cattle to Chicago, but his 
first shipments were made to New York. 
He now ships on an average of from ten 
to twelve carloads of stock each year 
and is breeding shorthorn cattle. For a 
number of years he is engaged in the 
cultivation of his fields, but of recent 
years he has rented his land, all save 
his pastures. Splendid improvements have 
been made upon his farm, which under his 
supervision has been brought to a rich state 
of cultivation. In 1880 he gave his first 
contract for tiling to the amount of two 
thousand dollars and almost every-year since 
that time he has added to the amount of 
tiling upon his place. One year he was a 
half owner in a tile factory east of Collison. 
In 1885 he erected his present beautiful 
home which stands on the site of the old 
residence so that he has here lived for 
thirty-five consecutive j-ears. His present 
palatial residence contains thirteen rooms, 
a bath, broad halls and all modern equip- 
ments and its furnishings indicate the re- 
fined and cultured tastes of the owners. 

Although not a member of any church 
Mr. Collison attends the Methodist Episco- 
pal church of which his wife is a member 
and he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, 
having formerly been identified with the 
lodge at Potomac. The first postofiice in 



Pilot township was secured through the ef- 
forts of ]\Ir. Collison and was called Bixb3^ 
being located on a portion of his farm. It 
was looked upon with disfavor by many at 
first but later they realized it was one of the 
best things that was ever done for the town- 
ship. In politics he is a stalwart Republi- 
can and has held some minor of^ces, but has 
never been an aspirant for political honors, 
preferring to devote his time and energies 
to his business affairs. Few men in Ver- 
milion county are more widely known than 
is "Bury" Collison, whose residence here 
covers sixty-five years — the entire period of 
his life. While he has controlled extensive 
business interests and won splendid success 
he has never allowed the accumulation of 
wealth to warp his kindly nature or to in- 
fluence him in any degree in his associations 
with old time friends. He is a genial gentle- 
man, companionable and kindly, and is very 
popular among those who know him. He 
certainly deserves to be classed among the 
representative agriculturists of this part of 
the state. Though he received some assist- 
ance in starting out in life his splendid pros- 
perity is due to his own efforts, to his 
diligence and to his correct business prin- 
ciples, and through the exercise of these 
qualities he has won success, which places 
him in the front rank among the substantial 
citizens of his native countv. 



GEORGE E. COCKERTOX. 

Among the "captains of industry" in 
Danville may be numbered George E. Cock- 
erton, a self-made man, who at the outset 
of his business career realized that there is 
no excellence without labor and whose ef- 



136 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



forts therein have been exercised consecu- 
tively in an endeavor to acquire a hand- 
some competence. In tliis lie has suc- 
ceeded and at the same time he has won 
honor and respect which is accorded to 
those whose business careers will bear close 
investigation and scrutiny. As a boy in 
1864 ]\Ir. Cockerton came to Danville with 
his parents. John C. and Hannah (Pate) 
Cockerton, who are yet residents of this city. 
The family is of English lineage and repre- 
sentatives of the name came from England 
to America, locating first in Chicago, Illi- 
nois, afterward in Ldgin and subsequently in 
this city. Both the father and mother of 
our subject were born in England and the 
year of their emigration to America was 
1849. The father was engaged in finishing 
woolen goods. In the family were three 
children, but one brother, Frank, died in 
Dan\ille at the age of forty-seven years. 
The sister, Mrs. Edgar C. Dodge, now in 
Chicago, was a teacher in the schools of 
Danville prior to her marriage. 

George E. Cockerton completed his edu- 
cation in the high school of Danville under 
the direction of Professor Spellman, leav- 
ing that institution at the age of seventeen 
years. From the age of fourteen he has 
been connected almost continuously with the 
printing business. He first entered the of- 
fice of the Danx'ille Plaindealer, owned by 
the firm nf Clapp & Evans. Subsequently 
he entered the office of the Danville Times, 
own.ed by A. (i. Smith and closely applying 
himself to his work, he liecame one of the 
best printers in this portion of the country, 
being made manager of a plant. A weekly 
paper was published and a large jobbing 
business carried on, ^Ir. Cockertfin having 
supervision of the mechanical department 
and business management of the Enteiprise 
between the ages of eighteen and twenty- 



one years. On attaining his majoritv he 
went to the east where he remained for four 
years and there further acquainted himself 
with the line of work which he had chosen 
for a life occupation, h'or several years he 
was also employed in Indianapolis and whaa 
the financial panic of 1877 involved the 
country he came to Danville in response to 
an offer which was made him to take charge 
of the Times. He occupied that position for 
two years, managing the jobbing depart- 
ment. In 1879 he formed a partnership 
with F. F. Bowman, in the establishment of 
a job and ])rinting office on a small scale. 
Immediate failure was predicted for the new 
firm by all, but in face of these dire predic- 
tions they have succeeded, their strong reso- 
h'.tion, enterprise and good workmanship 
enabling them to overcome all oljstacles and 
difficulties in their path. At the expiration 
of three )-ears their business was sold 
at a good advance. Later Mr. Cockerton es- 
tablished a job office alone and conducted it 
for four x'ears. On the expiration of that 
])erio(l ilie Press Company was. formed. Mr. 
Cockerton becoming inisiness manager and 
in that position he remained for two years. 
In 1889 he established an exclusive job and 
book business, and in January, 1901, he 
admitted his son to a partnership in the 
business. The new enterprise j^rospered 
from the beginning. The |)ublic had already 
I)ec')me familiar with his good workman- 
sliip and comprehensive knowledge of the 
])rinting l)usincss in all its departments and 
it was not long before he had secured a lib- 
eral ])atronage. In 1898 he added a Iniok 
binding plant and also began manufacturing 
rubber stamps. The book binding and 
stamp nianuf.-icturing departments arc now 
under the direct management of Herbert F. 
Cockerton, the junior mcuilK.'r of the firm, 
and this ))ranch of his business has had i)he- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



137 



nonienal growth. Tlie plant is valued at ten 
thotisand dollars and the value is constantly 
being increased by the addition of new ma- 
chinery and equipments calculated to pro- 
mote the effectixeness of the work and ad- 
vance the practical utility of the business. 

In 1876 was celebrated the marriage of 
Mr. Cockerton and Miss Lillian E. Jack, of 
Indianapolis. She was born in Centerville, 
Indiana, a daughter of Mathew \V. and 
Ann (Sackett) Jack. Both parents are now 
deceased. In their family were ten chil- 
dren, of \\'hom Mrs. Cockerton was the 
youngest. Thomas Carroll, of Carrollton, 
Maryland, a signer of the Declaration of In- 
dependence, was an uncle of her father. Mr. 
Jack died in Chicago at the age of ninety- 
one years. He was a tailor by trade and in 
later years carried on merchandising. He 
held membership in the Tippecanoe Club of 
Chicago and was quite prominent in public 
affairs there. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cocker- 
ton has been born one son, Herbert E. He 
was married in November, 1901, to Miss 
Lola G. Young, who was born in Danville 
in February, 1880, a daughter of C. M. 
Young, one of the well known residents of 
this city and general agent for the Home 
Sewing Machine Company for Indiana and 
Illinois. Mr. Cockerton owns a residence 
at No. 310 Oak street, valued at five thou- 
sand dollars, and has a suliurl.ian fruit ranch 
at the northeast corner of the city covering 
two acres and planted to small fruit. His 
father lives at that place. The son owns 
property at No. 710 Gilbert street. Mr. 
Cockerton is a member of Olive Branch 
Lodge. No. 38, F. & A. M. ; Vermilion 
Chapter, No. 82, R. A. M. ; Danville Coun- 
cil, No. 83, R. & S. M. : and Athelstan Com- 
mandery. No. 45, K. T. Of the last named 
he is past eminent commander and is past 
chancellor of Oamascus Lodge, No. 84, K. 



P.. He likewise belongs to the Benevolent 
and Protecti\e Order of Elks and to Paugh- 
caughnaughsinque Tribe, Improved Order 
of Redmen. He holds membership relations 
with the Cycling Club and has been a mem- 
ber of the Chamber of Commerce since its 
organization. His name is also on the 
membership roll of Danville Council, No. 
160, of the National Lnion. In his life his- 
tory are many ex'idences of excellent busi- 
ness ability. His prosperity cannot be at- 
tributed to a combination of lucky circum- 
stances, but has arisen from energy, enter- 
prise, integrity and intellectual effort well 
directed. He is a man of strong individual- 
ity and indubitable probity and one whose 
influence has ever been exerted in behalf of 
measures contributing to the general good. 



W. A. COCHRAN, M. D. 

\y. A. Cochran who in the practice of 
medicine has displayed skill and comprehen- 
sive knowledg'e that ranks him among the 
leading members of the medical fraternity 
in Danville, was born in Madison, Indiana, 
in 1850. and is a son of Andrew and ]\Iin- 
erva (Morris) Cochran. The father, also 
a native of Madison, was a contractor and 
builder and in the year 1855 remo\-ed to 
Brookston, Indiana, where the mother died 
of smallpox in 1861. The father however, 
long survived her, passing away in Brooks- 
ton in November, 1901. By the first mar- 
riage there were three children of whom the 
Doctor is the eldest. His brother and sister 
died in childhood. After the death of his 
first wife Andrew Cochran was again mar- 
ried and by the second union had two sons, 
Clyde and Sherman, both of whom are now 
living in Brookston. 



138 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Dr. Cochran pursued his studies in the 
Brookston Academy, lea\ing tliat institu- 
tion in 1868. I'lie following year he took 
up the study of medicine, entering the Ohio 
Medical College at Cincinnati, where he 
was graduated in 1873. The same year he 
estahlished the office in Brookston, Indiana, 
where he remained for one year after which 
he engaged in practice for a year in Han- 
over, Kentucky. On the expiration of that 
period he located in Indianapolis where he 
remained in practice until 1882. which was 
the year of his arrival in X'ermilion county, 
Illinois. He established his home and office 
at Grape Creek where he remained until 
1895, when he came to Danville, where he 
has since li\ed. Experience of a varied 
character in former years, combined witk 
reading, study and investigation have al- 
ready made him a capable physician and in 
the city of his adoption he has long since 
left the ranks of the many to stand among 
the successful few. 

In 1877 occurred the marriage of Dr. 
Cochran and jNIiss Martha P. Medaris, the 
wedding taking place in Brookston, Indiana. 
The lady was born in Hartford, Indiana, 
April 3, 1855, a daughter of John Medaris, 
a physician of Brookston, Indiana. Her 
mother, ho\\e\er, is now deceased. The 
Doctor and ]\lrs. Cochran have two chil- 
dren : Charles H., who was born February 
7, 1878, is a machinist in the employ of the 
Danville foundry and machine shops; Helen 
E., born August 30, 1880, is a graduate of 
the Danville high school. The Doctor is 
identified socially with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, the Tribe of Ben 
Hur and the Bene\'olent and Protective Or- 
der of Elks. In politics he is a Republican 
and for seven years he filled the office of 
county physician, while for two terms he was 
police magistrate at Grape Creek, Illinois. 



In i8cj4 he was elected assistant supervisor of 
Danville township. His home is at No. 910 
\"ermilion street where he has a pleasant 
residence. In the line of his profession he 
is connected with the Tri County and the. 
State Medical Associations. He is engaged 
in the general practice of medicine and sur- 
gery and has served on the hospital surgical 
staff of the Vermilion county hospital for 
seven years. He is also examining physi- 
cian for a number of insurance companies 
and in this profession where advancement 
depends solely on strong mentality and in- 
dividual merit he has steadily worked his 
way u])ward until he now occupies a very 
creditable place in the ranks of the medical 

fraternity. 

♦-•-• 

LE\TX D. GASS. 

Levin D. Gass is the well known cashier 
of the First National Bank of Danville and 
to say of him that he has arisen unaided 
from comparati\x obscurity to rank among 
the leading business men of Danville is a 
statement that seems trite to those familiar 
with his life, yet it is just to say in a history 
that will descend to future generations, that 
his business record has been one that any 
man would be proud to possess. Through 
his entire business career he has been looked 
upon as a model of integrity and honoT, 
never making an engagement that he has not 
fulfilled, and stands to-day an example of 
what determination and force combined 
with the highest degree of business integ- 
rity can accomplish for a man of natural 
ability and strength of character. He is re- 
spected by the comniunit}' at large and hon- 
ored bv his Imsiness associates. 

Mr. (iass was l)orn in Catlin, Illinois, 
November 22. i8;8. His father, T<-ihn H. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



141 



Gass was born in Tennessee and died in 
August, 1895, in Chicago. He had been en- 
gaged in the hve stock commission business 
in tliat city in connection with John Adams, 
Son & Compan}', for twenty-four years. He 
took up his abode in Vermihon county in 
1856, and in Danville in 1866. He was a 
wholesale and retail grocety of the ctiy as 
well as an extensive dealer in live stock in 
Chicago. His wife died in I'ebruary, 1901. 
In the family were the following children : 
Hamlet; Charles; Mrs. George Cutter and 
Mrs. Butler Miller, all of Chicago; and Mrs, 
Olmstead, of Danville. 

I,e\in D. Gass pursued his early educa- 
tion in the public schools of Danville and 
then became a high school student. In 1S75 
he put aside his te.xt books and entered the 
First National Bank under J. G. English as 
president and E. H. Palmer as cashier. He 
acted as messenger and errand boy in the 
early days of his connection with the insti- 
tution and afterward served as collector for 
eighteen months and was then advanced to 
the position of general bookkeeper, which 
incumbency he retained for two years, after 
which he was individual bookkeeper for 
eighteen months. On the expiration of that 
period he was made teller and when four 
years had passed he was again promoted. 
becoming assistant cashier, in which ca- 
pacity he served for fourteen years. For 
five years he has been cashier of the insti- 
.tution and its growth and progress during 
this period is largely attributable to his ef- 
forts. He is a stockholder and director of 
the bank and his thorough understanding 
of the banking business combined with 
close application and unremitting diligence 
ha\-e made him one of the most valued of- 
ficers of the institution and a man who has 
won and retains the public confidence and 



regard. ' He is also a stockholder in the 
Danville Buggy Company and he owns 
both city and farm property, having made 
judicious investments in real estate. 

In this city, in 1881, Mr. Gass married 
Miss Eva Hulce, a native of Marshall coun- 
ty, Illinois, and a daughter of INIartin Hulce, 
now deceased, who was the president of the 
Danville Buggy Company. They have four 
children: Lewis, Martin, Inez and How- 
ard, all of whom are yet under the parental 
roof and are now students in school. The 
family home is at No. 318 Gilbert street and 
the household is celebrated for its gracious 
hospitality. 

Fraternally Mr. Gass is connected with 
the blue lodge and the chapter of Masonry. 
He also belongs to the Benevolent and Pro- 
tective Order of Elks, the Knights of 
Pythias fraternity and the Modern Wood- 
men of America, For many years he has 
been a member of the Kimber ^lethodist 
Episcopal church, of which he has been a 
trustee. He takes a very prominent and 
acti\e part in politics, is a stanch Republican 
and has served as school treasurer and presi- 
dent of the board of education in Danville. 
He was one of those who helped to start the 
mo\enient which caused the Republicans of 
Illinois to give an almost universal support 
to the sound money plank of the platform 
in 1896 and led the state delegation to give 
its unanimous strength to the ]McKinley 
ticket in that year. His has been a busy, 
useful and honorable life and while business 
affairs have made close demands upon his 
attention he has yet found time and oppor- 
tunity to faithfully perform his duties of 
citizenship and of social life. He has a very 
wide acquaintance in Danville and the circle 
of his friends is almost co-extensiA'e there- 
with. His enterprise and commercial ac- 



142 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



tivity have not t^nly contributed to his indi- 
vidual welfare but ha\e been a potent force 
in adsancing business prosperity here. 



FRAXKLIX ROBERT OSBORX. 

Franklin Knbert Osborn. who is en- 
gaged in tlie publication of the Ridgefarm 
Repul)lican, was bom February 24. 1859, 
in Mahomet, Champaign county, Illinois, 
his parents Ijeing RolDcrt Osborn and Mar- 
garet Allen (Flenley) Osborn. The Os- 
Ijorns were among the early English colon- 
ists who settled in North Carolina and grad- 
ual! \- migrated westward first to Kentucky 
and thence to Indiana. It was between the 
vears 1820 and 1823 that James Osborn, the 
grandfather (jf our subject, settled in Ver- 
milion county, Illinois, where Robert Os- 
born. the father of our subject, was born in 
1824. The family resided at the place of 
their first residence for nine years and then 
removed t<i a home'near the present site of 
Homer in Champaign county, where the 
grandfather remained for a year. He next 
located in tlie western ])art of the county 
and entered a tract ot land, securing his pat- 
ent from the government. This lan<l 
has constituted the old homestead down to 
the present time. Robert Osborn, who is 
spoken of in preceding histories of Vance 
township and in whose home it it reported 
was held the first public worship in that 
township, was a great uncle of the subject 
of this review. The Osborns were ever an 
honored ui)right people and no taint of dis- 
honor is e\er attached to the name. 

In the district schools Mr. Osborn of this 
review began his education, which he con- 
tinued in the Mahomet high school, in the 
Central In.diana Xornial School at Dan- 



ville and in tlie ( hamiiaign Business Col- 
lege in which he was gratluated in 1887. 
At night and morning he walked three and 
a half miles to high school and was only 
once tardy during that peri(jd and that was 
on a day when the hogs were being killed on 
the farm. He was one of only two pupils 
who studied grammar in the country 
schools, but he was always aml)itious to se- 
cure a good education and put forth every 
effort in his power that would advance this 
result. He remained u])on the home farm 
assisting in its cultixation and improvement 
until twenty-two years of age and in his 
youth he was ever fond of outdoor sports, 
being quite athletic. He engaged in wrest- 
ling, racing and jumping and these boyhood 
pleasures also contributed in large and bene^ 
ficial measure to his physical development. 
.\s he grew older it became his desire to 
study law, l)Ut he was dissuaded from this 
step by his parents who thought to succeed 
in that profession meant a life of chicanery. 
He, therefore, took u]) the profession of 
teaching which he followed with a marked 
degree of success for thirteen years. During 
five years of this time, from 188S until 1892. 
he was princip;;] of a graded school at 
Tliomasboro and in 1892 and 1893 '^^ ^^'''^ 
at Ogden. In 1894 he entered upon journa- 
listic work. On the 24th oi Februarv of 
that year — on the dav on which he was 
thirty-fi\e years of age — he purcha.ed the 
INIelvin Transcript in Ford cotinty and re- 
mained its cilitiir and ])ublisher for five 
years, or until March, 1899, "^vhen he sold 
that paper and purchased the Ridgefarm 
Republican, which he still owns. Its pa- 
tronange is continually increasing and there 
is now a large subscri])lion list in addition to 
which the paper has liecome an excellent ad- 
vertising medium. Se\cral cruises led Mr. 
Osborn to abandon tericliing and enter into 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



145 



other work, tlie close confinement of tlie 
school room, second, a desire for a more in- 
dependent Hfe, third, a wish to prepare aii. 
einployment which wonld keep the son at 
home when not in school, and fourth, a wish 
to deal with people who had attained mature 
years and to become an active factor in the 
business world. On the 7th of August, 
i88g, Mr. Oslx)m was united in marriage 
to Miss Lillian Elmira Thompson, of Ran- 
toul, Illinois, Dr. Frank Crane officiating". 
The lady was born in Morris, Illinois, in 
1864 and in 1868 was taken by her parents 
to Champaign county, where she grew to 
womanhood and became a teacher, success- 
fully following that profession for nine 
years. Her father, Thomas Thompson, was 
a veteran of the war of the Rebellion and 
served under Commodore Foote in his oper- 
ations which terminated successfully in 
opening up the Mississippi river. Three 
children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Osborn : Merwyn Oliver, twelve years of 
age ; Pauline Theodora, aged eleven years ; 
and Robert Thompson, seven months old. 
Mr. Osborn has never asked for nor held 
any public offices yet he has been a very ac- 
tive factor in the progress and improvement 
of various localities in which he has lived 
and has left the impress of his individuality 
tipon public thought and feeling. While in 
Champaigii county he labored earnestly and 
effectively for the improvement of the 
county schools and for a course of study 
with the result that the educational interests 
of that portion of the state gained a place 
in the front rank in Illinois. Mr. Osborn 
has always been an earnest Republican, un- 
tiring in his advocacy of the party principles 
and he has delivered many campaign 
addresses in behalf of the men and measures 
of that organization. Reared in the faith 
of the Methodist church, he became one of 



its memljers when nineteen years of age and 
while in Champaign county he established 
the first "evergreen" Sunday-school at 
Thomasboro and was also one of the most 
potent factors in the founding of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church at that place and he is 
now a trustee of the church of his denomi- 
nation in Ridgefarm. He is the president of 
the St. Paul's Epworth League and in 1899 
he was a delegate to the international con- 
vention of the League at Indianapolis. So- 
cially connected with the Knights of Pythias 
fraternity, Mr. Osborn held the office of pre- 
late for two years and then declined to serve 
longer on account of illness in his im- 
mediate family. He is a member of the 
Modern \\'oi)(lmen of America and of the 
Royal Circle and in the latter he served for 
three terms as worthy ruler and then de- 
clined re-election. He was also a member of 
the McKinley Marching Club of 1898. Ac- 
tivity, energy and determination have been 
salient characteristics in his career and were 
noticeable when in his youth and early man- 
hood he was a social leader, while later they 
formed an important part of his successful 
work as a teacher and are now manifest in 
his career as a journalist. 



JAMES U. PRATHER. 

James L. Prather, who carries on agri- 
cultural pursuits on section 15, Ross town- 
ship, where he owns two hundred and forty 
acres of valuable land, was born on the 27th 
of May. 1851, in this township, represent- 
ing one of the old pioneer families of Ver- 
milion county. The Prather family has 
long been identified with pioneer life, not 
only in this state but in Kentucky as well, 
and the great-grandfatlier of our suljject 



144 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



was killed l)y the Indians in the l>lue (jrass 
state, at the time when the red men were so 
hostile to the white settlers and killed so 
many of thenr tliat the country Ijecame 
knnwn as "the dark and bloody ground." 
Jonathan Prather was reared and married 
in Kentucky and there several of his chil- 
dreri were born. Jerry Prather, the father, 
removed to Illinois, settling in \'ermilion 
countv north of Danville, where he secured a 
wild tract of land afterward entering it from 
the government. Turning the furrows in 
his fields he developed his place into a richly 
cultivated farm upon which he spent his last 
years. He was born in Kentucky aljout 
1820, and shared with the other members 
of the household in all the liardships and 
trials incident to the establishment of a pio- 
neer home here. He was married to Eve- 
Ivn ■Miller, also a native of Kentucky, and a 
daughter of (Cornelius Miller, a pioneer resi- 
dent of Fountain county, Indiana. After 
their marriage the young couple located in 
Ross townsluix where Jerry Prather became 
the owner of several hundred acres of land. 
He developed a good farm about three miles 
east of Rossville and was engaged in its 
cultivation and improvement. When in the 
prime of life he was called to the home be- 
yond, passing away in 1859. His first wife 
had died some years before and he after- 
ward married again. His second wife, after 
losing her first husband, also married again. 
Tames U. Prather, of this review, was 
the voungest in a family of seven children, 
all of whom reached mature years and were 
married, while four of the number are yet 
living. Sarah A., the eldest, is the wife of 
Daniel Kite, of Cass county, Missouri. Jon- 
athan is a resident of Rossville. Elizabeth 
C. is the wife of William Gundy, of Har- 
risonville, Cass county, Missouri. James N. 
I'rather, of this review, was reared on the 



f.arm and as socju as old enough to follow 
the i)low he began work in the fields. After 
his father's death he lived with his eldest 
sister until he had attained the age of eigh- 
teen years, when, in 1869, he went to 
^\'rigl^t county, Missouri, remaining there 
for about twelve months, during which time 
he worked upon a farm. In 1870, however, 
he returned to Vermilion county, rented land 
here and engaged in farming for a number 
of years. After living upon a tract of one 
Imndrcd acres for a number of years he re- 
moved to Hoopeston, where he resided in re- 
tirement from labor for ten years. In 1902, 
however, he purchased the farm upon which 
he uiiw resides on section 15, Ross town- 
ship, located thereon and began the further 
improvement of this place. It is one of the 
fine farms of the community. ^ 

Near Carlisle, Arkansas, about 1878, oc- 
ctuTed the marriage of James U, Prather 
and Mariah L, Moyer, a native of Ver- 
milion county and a daughter of Samuel 
Moyer, one of tlic old settlers of Illinois. 
Her mother bore the maiden name of Nancy 
Gundy and they were married in Ross town- 
ship. She is now deceased and Mr. Moyer, 
who has married again, is now living in 
Houston, Texas. After the war he removed 
to Tennessee, later to Arkansas and is now 
a resident of the Lone Star state. Mrs, 
Prather spent the greater part of her girl- 
hood in Arkansas and prior to her marriage 
was a successful teacher. Four children 
ha\e been born of this union : Jennie, Eth- 
el, James h'orrest and Maude A,, all of 
whom are still under the parental roof, 

Mr. Prather has been lujuored with 
l)ul)lic offices by his fellow townsmen who 
ha\e recognized his worth and ability and 
ha\e therefore nominated him for positions 
of public trust. lie has served as township 
trustee, filling the office altogether for 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



147 



t\vel\-e years. He has never I^een a poli- 
tician, however, in the sense of office seek- 
ing for his business affairs have made heavy 
demanils upon his time and attention. His 
first presidential ballot was cast in 1872 
for General U. S. Grant and he has 
since been unfaltering in support of the 
Republican party. He and his wife 
and two daughters are members of 
the Christian church and he belongs to 
the Masonic fraternity in which lie has 
attained the Royal Arch degree. He 
nnw belongs to Hoopeston Lodge and is 
also connected with the Modern Woodmen 
of America. The name of Prather is in- 
separably interwoven in the history of V^er- 
milion county, as from pioneer times down 
to the present representatives of the family 
have teen prominent in promoting the sub- 
stantial upbuilding of this section of the 
state. Our subject carries on the work 
which was begun by his grandfather and 
continued by his father and is known as one 
whose interest in the county is deep and sin- 
cere. 



THOMAS WILLIAMS. 

Thomas Williams has passed the sev- 
entieth milestone of life's journey and is 
now living a retired life in Hoopeston. The 
regard in which he is uniformly held is evi- 
dence of his high character, and he may 
therefore l)e mentioned as a representative 
of the best element of citizenship in this 
community. He is a man of the strictest in- 
tegrity and one, who by his life of industry 
and the exercise of economy and wise judg- 
ment, has obtained for himself a compe- 
tence. He is now living retired from ac- 
tive labor in a pleasant home in Hoopeston, 
attractively located on East Penn street — a 



home that was built in 1901 and is a 
model of beauty and convenience. Mr. Wil- 
liams settled in this county during his in- 
fancy and he has assisted materially in 
gaining for it its present importance. 

Thomas Williams spent the first nine- 
teen years of his life in Harrison county, 
Ohio, where he was born November 29, 
i<S28. His father, Nathan Williams, was a 
native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, 
and when a young man emigrated to Har- 
rison county, Ohio, where he engaged in 
teaching school for two years. Prior to 
this time he had learned the tailor's trade. 
In the Buckeye state he purchased a tract 
of land near Georgetown and there de- 
veloped a good farm. He married Sarah, 
a daughter of Nathan Hoopes, and unto 
them were born ten children, of whom 
Thomas of this review was the fifth in or- 
der of l)irth. The father died in 1841 when 
sixty years of age. The mother retained 
her residence in Ohio until after her chil- 
dren had reached mature years and then she 
come to the home of her son in this county, 
although she did not sell her property in 
Ohio. Her death here occurred in 18S1, 
when she was seventy-nine years of age. her 
birth having occurred in 1802. Like her 
husband she was a consistent member of 
the Society of Friends. 

Thomas Williams acquired his educa- 
tion in the common schools and lived with 
his widowed mother until he was nineteen 
years of age, when with the natural desire 
of youth for change he left home and went 
to work for his uncle, Thomas Hoopes, in 
Marion county, Ohio. He was thus em- 
ployed by the month for seven years and 
then he came to Illinois, bringing with him 
four hundred sheep. He was to engage in 
sheep raising on the shares and he made the 
journey to the west on foot, driving his flock 



148 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



through from Marion county, Ohio, to 
wlicre Hoopeston, VerniiHon county, now 
stands, a distance of four hundred miles, be- 
ing thirty days upon the road. He reached 
his destination October 20, 1853, and 
through tlie succeeding winter made his 
home with "Uncle Samuel"' Gilbert. His 
attention was given to caring for his sheep 
which he fed in the timber south of Ross- 
ville, and in the spring he located upon a 
farm owned by Mr. Hoopes on section 1 1 , 
Grant township, northwest of the present 
site of Hoopeston. At that time his nearest 
neighbor lived two and one-half miles to the 
south and his nearest neighbor on the 
north was eight miles distant, so that there 
was no one but Mr. Williams and his hired 
hand to keep the wolves away from the 
sheep. The dogs would chase the wolves 
for a short distance and then the latter 
would turn upon the dogs driving them 
back to the house. Therefore Mr. \\'illiams 
had to be on guard all through the day and 
at night he says he "slept with one eye 
open," although he had a wolf-proof pound 
in which the sheep were driven when even- 
ing fell. For two years he continued in this 
business and the second winter his flock was 
increased by an additional four hundred 
head, but the inclement weather and the 
rattlesnakes made sad havoc among live- 
stock and he was obliged to turn his atten- 
tion in another direction. He then purchased 
five yoke of oxen and a breaking plow and 
for three years was engaged in breaking 
prairie, being usually able to make one 
hundred dollars per month in the summer 
time. When the weather was suitable he 
could turn an eighteen to twenty inch fur- 
row. In the meantime he pre-empted one 
hundred and sixty acres of land in Iro- 
quois county, living thereon for a short time 



prior to his marriage and making a number 
of substantial improvements tliere. 

It was on the 9th of June. 1859, that 
Mr. Williams was joined in wedlock to 
Miss Lovina McFarland, of Iroquois coun- 
ty. She was born in Marion county, Ohio, 
a daughter of Andrew and Sarah McFar- 
land, who in 1857 remo\ed to Illinois, set- 
tling in Iroquois county, where Mrs. Wil- 
liams lived with her parents until her mar- 
riage. Six children were born of this union, 
but only three are now living: Charles C, 
A\'alter \\\ and Frank. 

About the time of his marriage yir. 
\\"illiams erected a small frame house and 
added to it a house standing near by, thus 
forming quite a comfortable abode for those 
times, and in this the newly wedded pair 
resided until Christmas. They then re- 
moved to a farm in the vicinity of Hoopes- 
ton^the same on which Mr. Williams had 
first herded sheep. He rented this until 
1863 and later purchasing seventy-five 
head of cattle, he established himself south- 
west of the present site of the town, his 
home being along the creek for about six- 
years. He next purchased the Churchill 
Boardman farm consisting of five hundred 
acres partially improved. He then began 
giving his attention in an undivided manner 
to stock raising, which business he carried 
on successfully until the railroad was built 
through this section of the county, after 
which he devoted his time more generally 
to farming. He shipped the first car load 
of cattle ever shipped out of Grant town- 
ship. In 1870, however, he met with an ac- 
cident which resulted in the breaking of his 
leg and therefore, leaving his farm, he took 
up his abode in Hoopeston, where he Ijegan 
buying grain and also operated an elevator 
in partnership with .\. T. Catherwcwd. For 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



149 



seven years they carried on the business with 
marked success, operating twelve different 
elevators during the last two years. Mr. 
Williams then retired from active life, hav- 
ing in the meantime acquired spelndid pros- 
perity. During these years he had become 
a half owner of eighteen hundred and 
twenty-five acres of land near Ambia, Ben- 
ton county, Indiana. He was one of a com- 
pany that was the first to experiment with 
sugar cane in this locality and later he be- 
came interested in a canning factory which 
canneil the corn product one nine hundred 
acres of land during the first year of the ex- 
istence of the plant. IMr. Williams, how- 
ever, was connected with this enterprise 
for only two seasons. A man of splendid 
business ability he has carried forward to 
successful completion whatever he has un- 
dertaken, and he possesses marked business 
foresight and enterprise. Starting out with 
only common-school advantages to aid him, 
working at the breaking plow for several 
seasons, he was imbued with a laudable am- 
bition to attain something better, and stead- 
ily he has advanced in those walks of life 
demanding keen discrimination, unflagging 
energy and marked enterprise. He has thus 
arisen to a prominent position among the 
substantial men of the count)'. During the 
past seven years, because of his invalid con- 
dition, he has given the management of his 
affairs over to his son Charles, and is thus 
relieved from further labor. He now owns 
thirteen hundred and twenty acres of land 
in Indiana, one thousand acres being near 
Ambia, and the remainder near Frances- 
ville. He also owns three hundred and 
twenty acres near Gibson City in Ford 
county, Illinois. His extensive possessions 
are the visible evidences of his life of indus- 
try. He, together with J. A. Cunningham, 



served as executor of the Thomas Hoopes 
estate, which was the largest estate ever 
settled in Vermilion county. 

Air. Williams has always given his po- 
litical support to the Republican party, and 
socially he is a Knight Templar Mason, 
while religiously he is connected with the 
Uni\-ersalist church and was a liberal con- 
tributor towartl the erection of the present 
house of worship of that denomination in 
Hoopeston. Upon locating in this city he 
purchased ground on Second avenue and 
there lived for four years. Later, he pur- 
chased property at the corner of Penn and 
Fifth streets, where he is now living. Mr. 
\Villiams commands respect as one of the 
prominent and influential residents of 
Hoopeston. His life has been one of con- 
tinued activity in which has been accorded 
due recognition to labor, and to-day he is 
numbered among those who by reason of a 
life of industry are enjoying substantial 
prosperity. His interests are thoroughly 
identified with those of Vermilion county 
and at all times he is ready to lend his aid 
and co-operation to any movement calcu- 
lated to benefit this section of the country 01 
advance its wonderful development. 



ELMER E. CUNNINGHAM. 

Elmer E. Cunningham, a son of John 
L. and Hannah (Swisher) Cunningham, is 
one of the leading, practical and progressive 
farmers of Vermilion county. Both of his 
parents were natives of this county and the 
father of our subject here purchased eighty 
acres of prairie land and forty acres 
of timber land, clearing the latter and 
breaking the entire tract, which he placed 



ISO 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



under a liigli state of eultixation, the motlier 
assisting' her hushand in improving the 
place.. They were married on the loth of 
November, 1859, and tlie lady was born in 
this county September 3, 1840, her parents 
being Lewis and Elizabeth (Starr) 
Swisher, who were among the earliest set- 
tlers of the county, taking up their abode 
here when the Indians were far more nu- 
merous than the white people. Her father 
was a nati\'e of Guilford county. North 
Carolina and her mother of Ohio, and Mrs. 
Cunningham was the fifth in order of birth 
of their family, the others being two broth- 
ers who reside in Danville, one in Iowa, an- 
other in Kansas, and a sister in Oklahoma. 
John L. Cunningham carried on agricul- 
tural piu'suils up to the time of his death, 
which occurred on the c;th of April, 1868. 
He had three children, of whom Charles T. 
died in infancy, while Elmer E. is the sec- 
ond in order of birth and the youngest is 
Louis \l.. of Dan\ille. .\fter the death of 
her first husband the mother was again 
married September 3, 1873, becoming the 
wife of George W. Justus. They had 
seven children, of whom four are living : 
Bertha, now the wife of William Starr ; 
Cora M., the wife of Roy Albright ; Frank 
M., who married Jessie Swisher; and Annie 
C, who is living with her mother. She was 
a school teacher for three years and for a 
similar ])eri(id held the olfice of postmistress, 
proving a capable official. 'Sh. Justus 
served as a deacon and elder in the Chris- 
tian church in which he long held member- 
ship and his life was e\'cr honorable and up- 
right. Through the greater part of his busi- 
ness career he carried on general merchan- 
dising, spending three years in this way in 
Danville and the remainder of the time in 
Blount township, conducting his store in 
Potomac, where he died on the 7th of May, 



1891. From the age of twenty-four years 
he was a member of the Christian church 
and was ever faithful and loyal to his re- 
ligious professions. Mrs. Justus has long 
been a devoted member of the church and 
she now lives retired in her lieautiful coun- 
try home in Blount townshii) and is a most 
estimable lady. In the early days in her fa- 
ther's household she often assisted at the 
spinning wheel, preparing and weaving 
blankets. A de\'oted and loving wife and 
mother and a faithful friend she has en- 
deared herself to all with whom she has 
come in contact. 

Elmer E. Cunningham was born on the 
family homestead in Blount township, No- 
vember 24. 1 86-1, and acquired a common 
school education. Since putting aside his 
text books he has devoted his entire time and 
energy to farming and stock raising, his 
home being on section 15, Bknmt township, 
where he has a \aluable tract of land that 
is rich and well improved. He has reecently 
erected a splendid home and has also sub- 
stantial and commodious barns and other 
outbuildings necessary for the shelter of 
grain and stock. Jn his business affairs he 
has been quite successful and is numbered 
among the jirogressive and thrifty farmers 
of his community. 

On the 22(\ of August. 1900, Mr. Cun- 
ningham was united in marriage to Miss 
Tinne Pate, who was born in Oakwiiod 
township, December 3, 1870. Her father 
was a merchant and carried on business for 
fifteen vears in Oakwood and then traded 
his store for a farm in Jefferson count}-. Illi- 
nois. Mrs. Cunningham was rcaretl by 
her grandmother with whom she remained 
until she reached womanhood. The grand- 
mother was a lady noted for many benevo- 
lent gifts and was highly esteemed through- 
out the entire communitv. Her charitable 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



151 



spirit never allowed any one to leave her 
door hungry and the poor and needy found 
in her a faithful friend. Mrs. Cunningham 
has two sisters, Irella Reester and Airs. Del- 
la Ann Martin, of Oakwood township. In 
the public schools Airs. Cunningham ac- 
quired a good education and is a lady of cul- 
ture and refinement who presides with gra- 
cious hospitality over her beautiful home. 
Both our subject and his wife are members 
of the Christian church and in politics he is 
a Repul)lican. He served for three years as 
township clerk but has never been a poli- 
tician in the sense of office seeking. Fra- 
ternally he is connected with the Modern 
Woodmen of America and the Odd Fellows 
Society at Bismarck. His entire life has been 
spent in this county where his many friends 
entertain for him high regard. 



B. T. DOXEY. 



B. T. Done\', who is serving as post- 
master of Fithian, was born in Montgom- 
ery county, Intliana, February 28, 1848. 
His father, Benjamin Doney, was a native 
of Pennsyh-ania and after arriving at years 
of maturity he was married in Ohio to Miss 
Elizabeth Summers, a native of Maryland. 
They began their domestic life in the Buck- 
eye state, where the father engaged in farm- 
ing until J845, when he removed with liis 
family to Indiana, living in Greene cotmty 
until his death, which occurred in the year 
1858. The Whig party received his politi- 
cal endorsement and he was an exemplary 
member of the Alasonic fraternity and a de- 
voted Christian man who belonged ti.i the 
Methodist Episcopal church. His wife was 
held in high esteem for her good qualities 
of heart and mind and she passed away in 



1889. In their family were three sons and 
two daughters, but only two of the number 
are now living, the sister of our subject Ik 
ing Mollie, the widow of John Fields, and a 
resident of Bloomington, Indiana. 

B. T. Doney pursued his education in 
Greene count}', Indiana, in the district 
schools and later attended the college at 
Bloomington, that state, putting aside his 
text books at the age of twenty-one years. 
He afterward learned the blacksmith's 
trade, which he followed in Greene county 
His preparations for haxing a home of his 
own were completed by his marriage on the 
2d of February, 1873, in Owensburg, In- 
diana, Miss Belle Owen becoming his wife. 
She was born in Greene county, November 
7, 1856, a daughter of Kiah and Mary 
(Brown) Owen, both born in the Hoosier 
state. Her parents were also married in 
Owensburg and the father followed black- 
smithing and wagon-building in Greene 
county until after the outbreak of the Civil 
war, when aroused by a spirit of patriotism 
he offered his services to the government, 
enlisting in Company H, Thirty-first In- 
diana Infantry. \Vith his regiment he went 
to the front and was killed at the battle of 
Shiloh, thus laying down his life upon the 
altar of the Union. In March, 1889, h's 
widow became the wife of Jesse Doney. 
Mr. Owen was a Democrat in political 
faith. By his marriage he had six children 
and by the mother's second marriage there 
were no children. Four children ha\-e been 
born unto Mr. and Mrs. Doney: John, 
who married Lilly Ward and is a telegraph 
operator at Goodanole, Illinois ; Benjamin, 
who resides upon a farm near Fithian : F. 
G., who is assistant postmaster of Fithian: 
and Clyde, who is still with his his parents. 

The year 1875 witnessed the arri\al of 



152 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Mr. Doney in Vermilion county, at which 
time he took up his ahode in Fithian, wliere 
he estabhshed a blacksmith shop, which he 
conducted for eight years. He then em- 
barked in general merchandise, but later he 
sold his store and resumed work at his trade. 
Subsequently, however, he again disposed 
of his smithy and once more turned his at- 
tention to general merchandising, which he 
has since followed. He now carries a gootl 
line of everything found in such an estab- 
lishment and his trade is growing contin- 
ually because the public recognizes in him 
a merchant of reliability, fair in his deal- 
ings, reasonable in his prices and courteous 
in his treatment of his patrons. In 1896 he 
was appointed postmaster of Fithian and 
has continuously occupied the position since 
that time. He votes with the Republican 
party and for nine years he held the office 
of township assessor, discharging his duties 
with marked promptness and fidelity. Fra- 
ternally he is connected with the Modern 
^\^oodmen of America and with the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. 



WILLIAM M. BRIDGETT. 

The history of the world proves conclu- 
sively that it is under the pressure of adver- 
sitv and the stimulation of opposition that 
the best and strongest in men are brought out 
and developed. Those who have been fac- 
tors in the world's progress, those who have 
wielded wide public influence and have be- 
come leaders in the commercial world are 
not those wh.ose couch has been one of pam- 
pered luxury, but who ha\e in youth be- 
come inured to arduous labor and have come 
to set a true value upon personal endeavor, 
probity and perseverance. Trained in the 



hard school of experience, yet learning there- 
in lessons of marked value. Air. Bridgett has 
arisen from a humble financial position until 
he stands to-day not only as a successful 
resident of Dan\ille, but one who is, as well 
strong in his honor and in his good name. 

A native of Kentucky, he was born in 
Lexington, April 2, 1865. His father, 
Thomas Bridgett, was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and after arriving at years of ma- 
turity he married I\liss Mary Shaffer, who 
was born in Indiana. They were married 
in Rockville of the latter state and there the 
father engaged in farming for a time, after- 
ward following the same pursuit in Ken- 
tucky. Subsequently he removed to Illinois, 
settling in Clark county, near Martinsville. 
The mother died in Kentucky and the father, 
who has married again, is yet living in Clark 
county. In his political vievvs he is an earn- 
est Democrat. 

William N. Bridgett was but two years 
of age when his mother died and at the age 
of eleven years he became a resident of Illi- 
nois, since which time he has been depend- 
ent upon his own efforts for a h\-ing. He 
liegan working on a farm and for six years 
remained with his first employer, during 
which time he was allowed to attend school 
through the brief winter season. He then 
became a section hand upon the railroad at 
Ridgefarm, Illinois. After working for 
three months he was promoted to the posi- 
tion of foreman of a construction crew and 
when he had served in that capacity for six 
months he accepted a clerkship in a store, 
where he was employed foi eight months. 
Then entering into partnership with his em- 
plover, A. J. Darnell, the relationship was 
maintained for ten months, when Air, Dar- 
nel died. Air. Bridgett then sold out and re- 
moved to Torre Haute. Indiana, where he 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



155 



was employed as a salesman in the grocery 
store of E. R. Wright & Company, biit after 
ten months he again became connected with 
railroading, entering the train ser\'ice as fire- 
man on the Vandalia Railroad, where he 
ser\'ed for eleven months, when he was pro- 
moted to the position of assistant claim 
agent by the same coinpany. Ten months 
later he returned to Ridgefarm and after 
three months he came to Danville, entering 
the train service of the Chicago & Eastern 
Illinois Railroad as a fireman. While with 
that company he was promoted to the posi- 
tion of engineer and a year later he left the 
road to eng'age in the real estate business in 
this city, which he has since followed with 
offices at Nos. 401-2 Daniels' building. He 
is also a loan broker and has negotiated a 
number of important loans and realty 
transactions. He has thoroughly informed 
himseilf concerning real estate values and of 
locations and is to-day one of the leading 
representatives of this line of business in the 
city. 

On the 13th of October, 1892, in Dan- 
ville, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. 
Bridgett and Miss Nevada Montgomery, 
who was born in Clark county, Illinois, No- 
vember 10, 1873, ^ daughter of John and 
Ann (Bishop) Montgomery, who were also 
natives of Clark county, where they re- 
mained until after their marriage. Subse- 
quently they took up their abode at Ridge- 
farm, Illinois. Her father is a Democrat in 
his political views. He belongs to the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Mod- 
ern ^^''oodmen of America and to the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church. Mr. Bridgett gives 
his political support to the men and measures 
of the Republican party, while his fraternal 
relations are with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, the Court of Honor and the 
Modern Woodmen of America. He is vet 



a j'oung man but he has already gained a po- 
sition in business circles and public regard 
that is as enviable as honorable. ^ Man's suc- 
cess in the world is not measured by the 
heights he has reached but by the altitude 
from which he has climbed and judged in 
this way the career of Mr. Bridgett has been 
most successful and commendable. 



WILLIAM SANDUSKY. 

William Sandusky, of Carroll township, 
was born November 19, 1827, in Bourbon 
county, Kentucky, within three miles of 
Paris, and when but three years old was 
brought by his parents to Vermilion county. 
They crossed the river at Cincinnati and 
came overland to their destination. They 
camped along the road at night and spent 
many days in making the journey. They 
traveled in a prairie schooner and passed 
comparatively few settlements while en- 
route. The Sandusky family took up their 
abode on the Little Vermilion river and there 
was then but a very limited population in 
this locality. William Sandusky began his 
education in a log schoolhouse on the old 
Alexander place, the building being erected 
of logs hewed on two sides. It had a clap- 
board roof and an immense fireplace which 
would accommodate an eight foot log that 
would burn for two days as a back log. His 
first teacher was a man by the name of 
Durkey and if a pupil could read, write and 
cipher it was all that was desired at that 
time. The school was conducted on the sub- 
scription plan and in such a "temple of 
learning" \Villiam Sandusky completed his 
education with the exception of one winter 
spent in Indianola, which place was then 
called Dallas, Illinois. He continued to at- 



156 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



tend school at inter\-als until eighteen years 
of age, spending the three months of winter 
In this manner while during the remainder 
of the year he worked at home. He would 
break prairie using an old wooden mold 
board plow and later with a rod nmld- 
board which would turn up a twenty-four 
inch furrow and to which was hitched five 
or six yoke of oxen. He would also drop 
corn as he plowed. When he was twenty- 
one years of age he started out in life for 
himself ' and his father built him a little 
shanty. There was not a thing but prairie 
grasses around him, hut he possessed the de- 
termination necessary for the development 
of a good farm. He wedded Miss Mary Eliz- 
abeth Baum, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah 
t Weaver) Baum. Her father was born in 
Clermont county, Kentucky, February 15. 
1805, and his wife in Ohio, January 16. 
1804. They became the parents of ten chil- 
dren, of whom six are now living: Oliver, 
who was born January 5, 1828, in Clennont 
county, is living in Sidell fownshi]) and mar- 
ried Helen McClenathan, by wlidui he has 
one child living. Mrs. Sandusky was born 
July 4, 1829, in Clermont county: Charles 
M., was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, 
December 22, 1838, and now living in .\ri- 
zona, married Jennie Craig and has tln-ee 
living children : Samuel is rejiresented 
elsewhere in this wijrk: William, born in 
Vermilion county. March 19, 1843, is living 
in Indiana; Angeline, born June 6, 1849, in 
\'ermilion county, is acting as housekeeper 
for her hmther William. Of those deceased, 
Susannah, born in Vermilion county, Sep- 
tember 12, 1831, became the wife of Thomas 
Rice and died leaving two chiUlren ; Sarah 
J., born in \"ermilion county, in 1833, died 
in childhood; Catherine, born in this county, 
December 15, 1834, was the wife of Morton 
Pugh and left five children at her death ; 



Francis M., born in \'ermilion county, Oc- 
tober II. 1836, died in childhood. The fa- 
ther of this family came to \>rmilion coun- 
ty in 1829 when Mrs. Sandusky was only 
three months old and settled on what is now 
the Indianola fair grounds, where he se- 
cured a tract of land from the government. 
He lived to be seventy-five years of age and 
his wife passed away at the age of thirty- 
eight. She was a daughter of ^lichael 
Weaver and their remains were interred in 
the old Weaver cemetery in Carroll town- 
ship. 

The marriage of Mr. anil Mrs. San- 
dusky was celebrated April 20, 1849, '^'^'^ 
they became the parents of five children, of 
whom a daughter died in infancy. Caroline 
is the widow of James Snapp and resides in 
Georgetown. She had three children by this 
union. Belle, Ivan and Willie, and by her 
former marriage she had two daug'iters, 
Mary and Josephine. Adeline is the wife of 
Thompson AlcMillan, a lumber dealer of 
Danville and they have two living children, 
Nellie and Edward. Rochester, who is en- 
gaged in the oi)eration of the home place, is 
one of the prominent farmers of Carroll 
township. Belle is the wife of William H. 
lames, a druggist of Rossville, Illinois, and 
thev have three children: Willie, Don and 
Mary Margaret. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Sandusky 
have two great-grandchildren. These are 
Fern and Ralph l-llliott. children of Mrs. 
Earl Elliott, of Georgetown. 

At the time of his marriage ]\lr. San- 
dusky started out with two hundred and 
forty acres of land and that he has li\-eil a 
life of industry, earnest labor and persever- 
ance is shown by the fact that he added to 
his ])ossespions until he now has fifteen hun- 
dred and twenty acres in the home place. 
This is a most creditable showing of a life 
work and, moreover. Mr. Sandusky has al- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



157 



ways maintained lionorable business rela- 
tions and enjoyed the confidence and good 
will of his fellow men. From the beginning 
he engaged in the cattle business and was at 
one time interested in shorthorn cattle, be- 
ing an extensive raiser, ^\'hatever he has 
■undertaken has received his undi\-ided at- 
tention and his work has been of a nature to 
return to him an excellent income. For 
many years he was recognized as one of the 
prominent cattle men of Illinois, buying cat- 
tle and feeding them to the extent of about 
three hundred head at a time. 

In his political views Mr. San<lusk\- is a 
Republican, but has never sought or desired 
office. Since pioneer times he has lived in 
this county. In the early days he would ride 
for miles in any direction without coming 
across fences to impede his progress. He 
frequently enjoA'cd a hunt for deer and les- 
ser game and often killed woKes wliich fre- 
quently awakened the settlers from their 
sleep by their howling: There were geese, 
ducks, wild turkeys and prairie chickens and 
many of these fowls furnished a meal for the 
early settlers. To give the life history of 
William Sandusky in detail would be to pic- 
ture forth the pioneer conditions and the 
agricultural life of \''ermilion county. He 
has always been identified with farming in- 
terests and to-day is the possessor of a hand- 
some property as the reward of a well spent 
life. 



B. I. POLAND. M. D. 

Dr. B. I. Poland, a practicing ])hysician of 
Danville, was born in Gallatin county. Ken- 
tucky. ]\Iay 30. 1854, and is a son of Isaac 
and Martha (Duncan) Poland, the former 
a native of Tennessee and the latter of Gal- 
latin countv, Kentuckv. The Doctor at- 



tended school in his native county and in 
1861 accompanied his parents to Illinois, liv- 
ing on the home farm which was situated 
across the Indiana state line. In this local- 
ity he attended the district schools until sev- 
enteen years of age. when he began teaching 
and for eight years followed that profession. 
He ])repared for the practice of medicine as 
a student in the Bennett Medical College, of 
Chicago, in which he was graduated in 1883. 
He afterward entered the Medical College 
of Atlanta, Georgia, completing his course 
there by graduation in 1S95. He was en- 
gaged in general practice from 1878 until 
1885, when he took up special practice in the 
treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose 
and throat. His office is located in the Tem- 
ple building of Dan\ille. Dr. Poland has a 
large practice in his specialty, the public 
recognizing his capability and skill. 

On the 2 1 St of October. 1874. in Ver- 
milion county, Illinois, the Doctor wedded 
Emma B. Leonard, who was born in this 
county, July 14. 1857, her parents being 
Philip and iVng'elina E. (Williams) Leon- 
ard, the latter a native of England. After 
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Leonard lo- 
cated six miles north of Danville and he was 
mmil:)ered among the old settlers and leading 
farmers of Vermilion county. A Democrat 
in politics, he earnestly advocated the prin- 
ciples of the party and for many years served 
as justice of the peace. He was also a 
prominent member of the Christian church 
and in that faith died. His widow now 
resides on the homestead farm. Unto the 
Doctor and his wife have been born two chil- 
dren : B. F.. born May 30, 1878; and Clar- 
ence S.. born Aug'ust 11, 1884. 

Dr. Poland is a stanch Democrat and is 
a member of the Christian ciiurch. He is 
now L^nited States examining surgeon and 
is a luember of the Danville library board. He 



158 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



is serving as oculist for the Chicago & East- 
em IIHnois Railroad Company and for the St. 
Elizabeth's Hospital, and is a member of the 
Vermilion County Medical Society and the 
Illinois State Medical Society. In a calling 
where promotion depends upon individual 
merit he has gained an enviable position as a 
physician. 



THO:\tAS F. COLLISON. 

From early pioneer days Thomas F. Col- 
lison has been a resident of Vermilion coun- 
ty and has been an interested witness of al- 
most the entire growth and improvement 
of this portion of the state. The traveler 
of to-day can scarcely realize the condition 
of things hei'e during his youth. He has 
seen deer and other wild game here and has 
traveled over the prairies for miles without 
coming to a fence or other indication of 
ownership by man. He was horn October 
12, 1834, on a farm on which he now lives. 
His father, Absalom Collison, was a na- 
tive of Pike county. Ohio, and in 1828 came 
to Illinois. He entered forty acres of land 
from the government and began the develop- 
nient of a farm. He had previously worked 
in the Kanawha Salt Works of West Vir- 
ginia and with little capital he came to Illi- 
nois. Flere he was married to Miss Mary 
Chenoweth, who was born near Columbus, 
Ohio, and came with her father, Thomas 
Chenoweth, to Illinois. It was in his honor 
that the subject of this review was named. 
Mr. Collison died in the year 1849 and his 
widow afterward married John Smith, who 
is now deceased. Our subject was the eldest 
of a family of seven children, the others be- 
ing F. Asbury, who lives on a farm adjoin- 
ing Collison ; Mrs. Elizal)eth Martin, of 
Sumner county, Kansas: Alary Jane, the 



widow of Samuel Coon, of Rantoul, Illi- 
nois: John, who is also living in Rantoul; 
James, a farmer of Middlefork township, 
\'ermilion county ; and Samuel, who is a 
banker of Rossville, Ilinois. 

]Mr. Collison of this re\iew began liis 
education in his own lujuie, a lady teacher 
being employed to instruct the children of 
the Collison household and the children of 
the neighborhood who would come there for 
that purpose. Later he attended the sub- 
scription school, which was held in a log 
building with greased paper windows and an 
outside chimney built of mud and sticks. 
The boys who attended tlie school would 
cut logs to be used for fuel. For about sev- 
en vears Thomas F. Collison attended school 
during the winter months and in the summer 
season worked on the farm. He never saw 
a blackboard in all his school days. The last 
school which lie attended was taught by Mr. 
Miner, who had our subject purchase a slate 
which was used as a blackboard for the 
school. A testament served as a reader and 
an old elementary spelling book w'as used. 
while the pens were made of quills. 

Mr. Collison remained at home until af- 
ter his father's death. He received from the 
estate one hundred acres of raw prairie land 
and ninety dollars in cash, the land being 
A'alued at atjout five (U)llars per acre. He 
was then married to Miss Alary Billsland, 
who was Ijorn in Indiana, near Covington, 
anrl with whom he Ijecame acquainted \\iiile 
she was teaching school in this district. She 
lived until 1864 and then passed away, leav- 
ing four children: I'Vancis R., Charles, 
Dora and Florence L., all of whom are now 
living. After the loss of his first wife, Mr. 
Collison wedded Mary Courtney, of Penn- 
sylvania. They have three children ; Al- 
bert T., a banker of Windsor; Elizabeth, the 
wife of George Grays, who is employed in a 




^^PA^r^-^^^^ J^ ^(^^u-JJ^c 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



i6i 



bank in Rossville; and Stella, the wife of 
Alfred Crays, who is engaged in the bank- 
ing business in Windsor. 

Throug'hout his business career Mr. Col- 
lison has been connected one way or another 
with agricultural pursuits. He now owns 
over sixteen hundred acres of valuable land. 
In 1893 the railroad crossed his farm and 
the company paid hirn forty-five hundred 
dollars for the right of way. The follow- 
ing year the town of Collison was estab- 
lished, about twenty acres of his land being 
included within the town plat. He built the 
first buildings there, a dwelling and a black- 
smith shop, and later he erected a brick 
building and a store building. During the 
last three years he has rented all of his land 
with the exception of his pastures. For 
some years he has been extensively engaged 
in the stock business, buying, feeding and 
shipping. In 1902 he shipped six hundred 
hogs and about 150 head of cattle, the for- 
mer bringing him over twelve thousand dol- 
lars. He has always given more attention 
to stock-raising than farming, having 
largely hired labor for the work of cultivat- 
ing the fields. He dro\-e cattle and sheep to 
Chicago before any raili'oad was built and it 
is within his memory that the boundary of 
Vermilion county extended almost to that 
city. In 1897, in connection with Edward 
Stevens, he went to. Liverpool in charge of a 
cargo of cattle, visiting London during the 
trip, which consumed about forty days al- 
together. Mr. Collison is also a stock- 
holder in the bank of Rossville and Wind- 
sor, his stock to the amount of ten thous- 
and dollars in Rossville and fifteen thousand 
dollars in Windsor, having been placed to 
the credit of his son and son-in-law. 

Mr. Collison was made a Mason at New- 
town. Illinois, but is now demitted, there be- 
ing no lodge in his home town. He is a 



member of the Knights of Pythias frater- 
nity, and the Modern Woodmen of America, 
and for twenty years he has been a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which 
he has served almost continuously as a trus- 
tee. He aided in building the Pilot chapel 
to which he gave three hundred dollars and 
he also contributed six hundred dollars to 
the building of the Collison church. In poli- 
tics he has always been a Republican. His 
is one of the attractive homes of this por- 
tion of the county. On his farm he has flow- 
ing wells and at his home he lifts the water 
from the well with a gas engine. He hasc al- 
ways been progressive in his work, keeping 
in touch with the advanced sjjirit of the 
times and everything about his place is neat 
and thrifty in appearance. For sixty-eight 
years Mr. Collison has been a resident of 
Vermilion county. He is a fine looking 
gentleman with a long white beard, a kindly 
and strong face. All who know him esteem 
him for his genuine worth, and his success- 
ful career commands the admiration of those 
\\ho are familiar with his history. As one 
of the honored pioneer residents of the coun- 
ty he certainly deserves mention in this vol- 
ume, for his entire career has been closely 
interwoven with the development and 
growth of this portion of the state. 



JAMES P. COOK. 



James P. Cook, a capitalist and land 
owner of Danville, belongs to one of the old 
families of this county and is a worthy rep- 
resentative here. His paternal grandfather, 
James Cook, came from Ohio to Vermilion 
county in the year 1835, casting in his lot 
with its first settlers. Pie took up his abode 
two and one-half miles east of Westville, on 



l62 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



section lo, Georgetown township. The land 
bouglit by him was wild and unimproved 
and the work of progress and improvement 
seemed scarcely begun. Deer and other wild 
game was to be found in this portion of the 
state and much of the land was swampy and 
full of sloughs, but there came to this portion 
of Illinois a progressive, courageous class 
of pioneers, who in due course of time 
wrought 3 great transformation in the coun- 
ty and placed it with the leading counties of 
the state. The grandfather bore his part in 
the work of improvement and upbuilding 
and continued to engage in agricultural ^)ur- 
suits here until iiis death, which occurred 
about 1 87 1. 

At that time Samuel Cook, the father of 
our su])ject, took charge of the old family 
homestead. He had previously married 
Mclvina Graves. Throughout his entire 
life he carried on agricultural pursuits 
until the time of his retirement in 1900. He 
lived upon the old homestead almost con- 
tinuiius!)' with the exception of two years 
prior to his 'marriage. He first had one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land to wliich he 
added a tract of eighty acres and his farm of 
two hundred and forty acres became one of 
the valuable country seats of Catlin town- 
ship. There he was engaged in general 
fanning until 1900, when he put aside Ixisi- 
ness cares and removed to Danville. Later, 
however, he sold his property in that city 
and also his farm in Oakwood and pur- 
chased two hundred acres west of Catlin. 
His first wife died about 1855 '"i'^^ ''^ after- 
ward married again, his second union being 
with Martha E. Citizen. By the first union 
there were six children : George, a resident 
farmer of Catlin township ; James P., of this 
review; Mary, the wife of John A. Wherry, 
who is living on the old homestead in Catlin 
township: Maggie, who died at the age of 



fifteen years; Ellen, who died in infancy; 
and Charles F., who married Celia Podgett 
and is living in Danville. Three children 
have been born of the second marriage : 
Berta, Frank and Fred, all of whom are at 
home. 

James P. Cook of this review was born 
on his father's farm iii Catlin township, 
]March 27, 1835. He pursued his education 
in the common schools and afterward en- 
gaged in farming on his father's land for 
two years. He then purchased ninety-two 
acres of land where the village of Westville 
now stands, in 1880, and commenced its cul- 
tivation and improvement. Since that time 
he lias divided this into town lots and has dis- 
posed of most of it at a fair profit. He now 
owns ten houses and lots there, the dwell- 
ings being occupied by miners. In addition 
to his real estate operations he has valuable 
farm land, owning five hundred acres near 
Potomac, which he rents. He also owns a 
nice residence in \\'estville and has farm 
property near that place. At the present 
time he is erecting a fine residence in Dan- 
ville at the corner of IMain and Gilbert 
streets and as soon as it is completed he in- 
tends to remove to that city and make it his 
future home. 

James P. Cook married E\-eline O'Neal, 
a daughter of Isaac O'Neal, who was one of 
ihe old settlers of the county and died here 
in the year 1876. He was one of the larg- 
est land owners in this portion of the state 
and a very prominent and influential citi- 
zen respected and honored by all who knew 
him. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cook 
has been blessed \vitli four children. Ger- 
trude is the wife of Frank Downing and is 
residing one-half mile west of Westville. 
Lena and Stella, twins, are at home. Her- 
man, born December 16, 1885. is also under 
the parental roof. The parents hold mem- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1&3 



bership in the Christian church of W'est- 
ville, in whicli our subject is now serving 
as a deacon. In pohtics he is a Democrat 
and for several years he served as a school 
director in his township. He has made ju- 
dicious investments in property and thereby 
has acquired a handsome competence, num- 
berinnf him among the leading land owners 
of Vermilion county. He is enabled to sur- 
round his family with many of the com- 
forts and some of the luxuries of life and 
notliing gives him greater pleasure than to 
minister to their happiness and welfare. In 
business afifairs he sustains a high reputa- 
tion, because he has always been straight- 
forward in his dealings, prompt in meeting 
an obligation and in keeping engagements. 
He is thus known as an honorable man, is a 
pleasant social companion and one whose 
friends in the communitv are man\'. 



E. R. E. KIMBROUGH. 

The term "captains of industry" is a 
familiar one in the parlance of the day and 
has arisen from the conditions of the world 
when business activity has replaced the rec- 
ords of war and conquest in the history of 
civilized nations. Each city claims its rep- 
resentatives who have worthily won this 
title in the control of large professional, 
commercial or industrial interests, and fre- 
quently it is found that one man has become 
a master in more than one of these lines. 
He who is at all familiar with the life record 
of E. R. E. Kimbrough will not hesitate to 
place him with his class so prominent in 
public regard, for his entire career has been 
one of activity, energy and enterprise 
and the result accomplished well entitles 
him to mention as one of the leaders 
in business circles of Danville. He has 



labored along many lines with success, 
so that his name has figured in the financial 
records as well as in connection with great 
productive interests, yet perhaps he is best 
known in Danville as a member of the Ijar, 
well versed in various departments of juris- 
prudence. 

Mr. Kimbrough was born in Edgar 
county, near Paris, Illinois, March 28, 1851, 
and is a son of Andrew H. and Sarah Kim- 
brough, both of whom are living, as are 
the daughters of the familv — Laura and L. 
A. E. R. E. Kimbrough. the only son, 
having acquired his preliminary education 
in the public schools, became a student in 
the State University at Normal. Illintjis. 
where he was graduated with the class of 
1873. He entered upon the study of law 
under the direction of E. S. Terry, of Dan- 
ville, with whom he continued until Janu- 
ary 8, 1876, when he successfully passed an 
examination admitting him to the bar. In 
the meantime, in 1874-5, he had en- 
gaged in teaching as superintendent of the 
Golconda schools. After his admission to 
the bar he opened an ofifice in this city in the 
First National Bank building and was asso- 
ciated in practice with \V. D. Lindsey until 
December, 1882, when the relationship was 
discontinued. He was then alone in prac- 
tice until July. 1893, when he tiecame as- 
sociated with James A. Meeks and this part- 
nership still obtains. The law practice of 
the firm has constantlv increased in volume 
and importance, connecting them with much 
of the chief litigation tried in the courts of 
the district. Mr. Kimbrough's success 
came soon because his equipment was un- 
usually good. Along with those qualities 
indispensable to the lawyer, — a keen, 
rapid logical mind plus the business sense, 
and a ready capacity' for hard work, — he 
brought to the starting point of his career 



164 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



rarer gifts, — eloquence of language and a 
strong personality. An excellent presence, 
an earnest, dignitied manner, marked 
strength of character, a thorough grasp of 
the law, and the ability accurately to apply 
its principles, are factors in his effectiveness 
as an ad\'ocate. 

Mr. Kimbrnugh is also a man of large 
business capacity in other directions. He 
was formerly connected witli the Electric 
Light & Gas Company and for a quarter of 
a century he was connected with the First 
National Bank. He is at present one of its 
stockholders and a director, and for two 
years has been its vice president. The ma- 
terial improvement of the city has been pro- 
moted by him for in 1896 he erected in con- 
nection with Louis Piatt, the Kimbrough & 
Piatt building, the first office building in 
the city, and in conjunction with Loui.^ 
Piatt he erected the Temple Building, in 
1901. Pie has been connected wun the 
liome and Danville Building Associations 
as a director and attorney for over twenty 
years. Other property interests which he 
has include the ownership of seven or eight 
hundred acres of land. 

It is usually found that a man of large 
business interests and important undertak- 
ings has a broad outlook upon public affairs 
and that to a greater or less extent is ac- 
tively interested in the political situation of 
the country. Air. Kimbrough has labored 
earnestly and eft'ectively in the support of 
the political principles which he thinks are 
best calculated to conserve the nation's wel- 
fare and the general good and is a conserva- 
tive Democrat. He voted with the regular 
party tuitil 1896, when he endorsed the 
wing favoring the gold standard and be- 
came a delegate to the Indianapolis conven- 
tion of Gold-Democrats. He had also been 



a delegate to the national convention of the 
party in St. Louis, in i888, and in Chicago, 
in 1892. In 1878 he was the Democratic 
candidate for state senator from his district 
and was defeated by only three hundred and 
seventeen \'otes, although the usual Repub- 
lican majority was two thousand. In 1882 
and again in 1884 he was elected to the gen- 
eral assembly and left the impress of his 
indix'iduality upon the legislation enacted 
during those sessions. In the city of his 
residence, where he is best known, ample 
proof was given of the public confidence in 
his ability and his loyalty to the general 
good, when in 1897 he was elected mayor 
of Danville on an independent ticket over 
three other candidates, when reform was 
made the issue. He carried out his prom- 
ises and to the best of his personal ability 
and official power laliored for the welfare of 
the city, introducing many needed reforms 
and improvements. For nine years he 
ser\ed as a member of the board of educa- 
tion of Danville, anil since 1S93 he has been 
a member of the state board of education, 
having been first appointed by Governor 
Altgeld and reappointed by Governor 
Tanner. 

In Sei)tember, 1876, Mr. Kimbrough 
was united in marriage to Julia C. Tincher, 
a daughter of John L. Tincher, who was 
one of the founders of the First National 
Bank and a partner of J. G. English in the' 
banking business. He was regarded as one 
of the most prominent and influential men 
in financial and commercial circles of Dan- 
ville and was also distinguished as a states- 
man. He died while serving as a member 
of the Illinois senate in 1871. L^nto Mr. 
and Mrs. Kimbrough was born a son. Rob- 
ert, but he died in 1886, at the age of nine 
years, this being the first death to occur in 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



165 



the Kimbrough family thrijugh many years. 
Mr. Kimbrough belongs to the ]Mason- 
ic fraternity, in which he has taken the de- 
grees of the blue lodge, chapter and com- 
mandery. He is also a representative of the 
Knights of Honor and of the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks. He has a wide 
acquaintance among leading men through- 
out the state. He has ever occupied a prom- 
inent position in the foremost rank of the 
legal practitioners of Danville. His life 
has been one of untiring acti\-ity and has 
been crowned with a high degree of success, 
yet he is not less esteemed as a citizen than 
as a lawyer, and his kindly impulses and 
charming cordiality of manner have rendered 
him exceedingly popular among all classes. 



J. H. McINTOSH. 

Although one of the recent arrivals in 
Vermilion county Dr. J. H. Mcintosh has 
already gained a liberal patronage in the 
line of his profession in Hope and in the 
surrounding district. He is one of the na- 
tive sons of Illinois, his birth having oc- 
curred in White county, on the loth of Jan- 
uary. 1872. He was born upon a farm, a 
son of the Rev. J. W. Mcintosh, a Method- 
ist Episcopal minister who belonged to the 
Southern Illinois conference. His deati 
occurred in September, 1899. but his widow, 
who bore the maiden name of Nancv J. 
Hendrick, is now living with her son, the 
Doctor. In their family were eleven chil- 
dren, seven of whom still sur\ive and with 
the exception of two Dr. IMcIntosh is the 
youngest. 

The Doctor pursued his literary educa- 
tion in Lebanon. Illinois, as a student in 



McKendree College. He afterward spent 
one year as a student in the IMissouri ]\Iedi- 
cal College in St. Louis and then entered 
the Barnes Medical College of the same city 
in which he was graduated with the class of 
1895. Soon afterward he located in 
Maunie, White county, where he remained 
for a year, when he removed to Grayville 
of the same county. Subsequently he prac- 
ticed in Dewitt. DeWitt county, and in De- 
cember, I go I, he came to Hope, where he 
has since remained successfully engaged in 
the general practice of medicine and surgery. 

In Belleville, Illinois, in 1895. the Doc- 
tor married Annie Pfeifer, a native of St. 
Clair county. Illinois, and a daughter of An- 
thony and Nanette (Sohm) Pfeifer. Her 
parents were born and reared in Ger- 
many and are now residing in Hope with the 
Doctor and his wife. Mrs. Mcintosh is a 
well educated lady of natural refinement and 
is a graduate of the high school of Belle- 
ville. Prior to her marriage she engaged in 
teaching to some extent. She has become 
the mother of three children : Florence, 
Stephen D. and Ruth. 

The Doctor owns property in Danville, 
having purchased a lot there and erected a 
house. He carries a line of drugs and com- 
poimds, all of his own prescriptions. He 
is the only physician in Hope and his prac- 
tice covers a wide area. A young man, he 
entered upon his professional career 
equipped for the responsible duties of that 
position and he keeps abreast with the times 
through reading and research. He belongs 
to the Illinois State Medical Societv and in 
his fraternal relations is a Mason, holding 
membership with the lodge at Hope. He 
also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal 
church and is a worker in church and Sun- 
day-school. His political support is given 



1 66 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



to llie Repiiljlican party and at tlie i)resent 
time he is serving as a niemljer of the scliool 
board in Hope. His position as a leading 
citizen of this portion of tlie county is chie 
not only to his professional skill hnt to his 
public-spirited devotion to the general good 
and his genial personal worth. 



JOHN LEEMOX. 



When for miles the broad prairies 
stretched away wild and unimpro\ed, when 
the land was still in possession of the gov- 
ernment and the most far-sighted could not 
ha\c dreamed that a few years would make 
a wonderful change here. John Leemon 
canie to \''ermilion county and upon its 
broad ])rairic he took up his abode far from 
any home, save the one settlement which 
was the residence of Thomas Hoopes. He 
assisted in the arduous task of reclaiming 
the wild land for the purposes of civiliza- 
tion and certainly no resident of this part of 
the state is entitled to more honorable and 
distinct consideration in a work of this char- 
acter than he of whom we write — a pioneer 
whose labor brought not only prosperity to 
himself but was of the greatest benefit in the 
de\'elopment and uijlnu'lding of this ])ortion 
of the state. 

Mr. Leemon was born of Scotch par- 
entage in County Armagh, Ireland, on theSth 
of May, iSjq. His father, Thomas Leemon, 
was likewise torn in the north of Ireland, 
to which district his forefathers had been 
dri\en during- the time of religious perse- 
cution in Scotland. He married Miss Eliza- 
beth Thompson, and they reared a family of 
si.\ children, all of whom followed our sub- 
ject to America in 1854, three years after 
Ihs arri\al. For a time the\' resided in Jer- 



sey county. Illinois, and then removed to 
Christian county, where the father died in 
1S62. The mother survi\ed him for .some 
years and sj)ent her last days witii her son 
Jojm, passing away in 1882. 

John Leemon was reared and educated 
in the land of his nativity and was twenty- 
two years of age when he resolved to seek 
his fortune beyond the .\tlantic. hoping to 
take advantage of some of the excellent op- 
portunities which he had heard were ofifered 
young men in the new world. He did not 
tarry on the .\tlantic coast but came at once 
to Illinois, settling in Jersey county. Here 
he l)egan working by the month for twelve 
dolhu's and in the winter season he husked 
corn at two cents a Inishel and board. His 
wants were few and even at that small wage 
he managed to save a little money until he 
had enough to buy a team, lie then rented 
a tract of land in Jersey county and began 
farming on his own account, carrying on ag- 
ricultural work there until 1857. 

In the meantime he \-isited \'ermilion 
C')unt_\- and purchased four hundred and 
forty acres of wild land. As this district 
was still in possession of the government 
and the pioneer settlements had not jiene- 
trated this far into the Mississippi valley, 
land could be ])urchased at almost a nomi- 
nal figure. Mr. Leemon. however, did not 
buy for speculation purposes but with the in- 
tention of developing- a farm for himself 
and as soon as possi!)le he began the work of 
])lowing, ])lanling and har\-esting upon the 
trnct of which he had become the owner. He 
boarded in the home of Mr. Hoopes. who 
had tlie only house upon the ]irairie in this 
vicinity at that time. Night and morning 
he werit to and from his place of work, a 
distance of two and one-half miles. In the 
fall of 1857 he erected a small house ui)on 
his own farm, there keeping "bachelor's 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



169 



hall" until the time of his marriage. Ener- 
getic, resolute and industrious, his work was 
carried on with marked determination and 
with good effect. His labors wrought a 
wonderful transformation in the appearance 
of his place and its \-alue. He planted for- 
est and fruit trees and set out many rods of 
hedge fence. With the work of agricultural 
improvements he kept abreast and added to 
his farm everything that would facilitate 
the work and make his property attractive. 
He placed upon his land two windmills and 
a feedmill and his barn was underlaid with 
water pipes, which led to various tanks 
wherever water was required for stock. The 
wet land was tiled and thus made cultivable, 
his tiling being brought from Bloomington. 
He practiced the rotation of crops and in an 
intelligent manner carried on the active 
work of de\eloping and improving his land 
until the Leemon farm gained a wide repu- 
tation, unsurpassed by any in eastern Illi- 
nois, because of its productiveness and the 
splendid improvements found thereon. 
Gradually the settlements increased, the evi- 
dences of frontier life gave way before those 
of an advanced civilization, the deer and 
wolves which were once so numerous were 
driven out. Air. Leemon often remarked 
that he saw as many as seventv-fi\'e head of 
deer in a single herd and the early settlers 
were frequently called for a wolf hunt when 
hunger hafl made the wolves so venturesome 
that they would steal to the very doors of 
the cabins in order to get the venison found 
hanging by the side of the house. Many 
winters he killed from fifteen to twenty 
head of deer and it was he that killed the last 
deer known to have been slain upon the 
prairies. 

It was on the 26th of August, 1865, in 
Rossville, that Air. Leemon was united in 
marriage to Miss Lodema Brown, of Butler 



township. She was bom near Lockport, Ni- 
agara county. New York, a daughter of John 
Brown, who removed to Indiana with his 
family when Mrs. Leemon was only about 
seventeen years of age. There she lived un- 
til she was twenty-two years of age, when 
the family came to East Lynn, Vermilion 
county. Her father spent his last days in 
Marys\'ille, Tennessee, where he died a num- 
ber of years ago. His wife, who bore the 
maiden name of Catherine Bears, remained 
with Mrs. Leemon until shortly before her 
death in 1888. At the time of their mar- 
riage Mr. Leemon took his bride to the home 
which lie had already prepared and as the 
years passed children were added to the hous- 
hold to the number of six. They lost their 
eldest child, however, a daughter, Izele, who 
died at the age of twelve years. The others 
are: Lida ; Robert A., who married Bessie 
Gilson, of Chicago, in 1895, and is now liv- 
ing on Penn street in Hoopeston ; John A., 
Charles N. and Edith L., all of whom are 
with their mother in Hoopeston. They have 
been provided with excellent educations, 
Robert having attended school in Quincy, 
Illinois; Lida in Onarga, this state; Jolyi 
and Charles in Galesburg and Chicago; 
while Edith has been a student in Lake For- 
est. 

Upon attaining his majority Mr. Lee- 
mon became an ailvocate of the Democracy 
but at local elections where no issue was in- 
voh'ed he voted independently. His fellow 
townsmen, recognizing his worth and abil- 
ity, frequently called him to public office and 
he filled creditably every official position in 
town and township. For eight years he was 
justice of the peace, was a school director 
and trustee, and for four years was super- 
visor. He uniformly distinguished himself 
as a man of progressive and liberal ideas, 
one willing to give his time and influence to 



170 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



those enterprises calculated for the general 
good. He was reared in the faith of the 
Presbyterian church and his life was ever an 
honorable one, industry and foresight being 
salient fealm'es in his career. He never used 
liquor or tobacco nor abused nature laws 
and therefore enjoyed good health. When 
his labors had brought a sufficient capital to 
enable him to think of retiring from business 
life and to plan for an enjoyment of a well 
earned rest, the community was shocked in 
hearing of his death on the 15th of Decem- 
ber, 1890. He drove to Hoopeston for a load 
of lumber and was returning home when his 
team became unmanageable and ran away. 
He was thrown to the ground and the awful 
weight of the load of lumber was dragged 
over his body, crushing out his life. He 
lived for only two days after the accident 
anil was then laid to rest in Floral Hill cem- 
etery at Hoopeston. It is safe to say that 
no citizen of this community has ever been 
more deeply mourned than was John Lee- 
mon, for he was known as a man of sterling 
worth, who had endeared himself to all with 
whom he had conie in contact in ties of 
friendship which naught but death could 
sever. As long as the history of Vermilion 
county is known to its citizens so long will 
the name of John Leemon be honored be- 
cause of what he accomplished in pioneer 
tin.ies. He was a very successful business 
man and at the time of his death his landed 
possessions were very extensive. He owned 
in Vermilion and Iroquois counties more 
than eighteen hundred acres of land in addi- 
tion to a two-thirds interest in eighteen hun- 
dred acres in Scott county and some landed 
possessions in Christian county. Since his 
death these lands have been divided among 
the heirs. He was one of the organizers of 
the Hamilton, Lecnion & Lateer Bank, con- 
tinuing with it up to the time of his death, 



since which time it has become what is 
known as the Hamilton & Cunningham 
Bank of Hoopeston. 

-Mrs. Leemon has in her possession some 
valuable residence property in Hcxipeston. 
In 1897 she decided to lea\e the farm and, 
purchasing property on Washington street 
in Hoopeston, she had this remodeled after 
her own plans and now has a very beautiful 
and in\iting home, valued at eight thousand 
dollars. Into this she moved with her fam- 
ily and is now a valued resident of the town. 
She holds membership in the Universalist 
church and to its support Mr. Leemon was 
a liberal contributor, although he never held 
menJ)ership with any religious denomina- 
tion. His was a character of great breadth 
and purity, however, and to his family he 
left the precious legacy of the memory of a 
noble life that is well wortbv of emulation. 



F. D. TOMLINSON. 

V. D. Tomlinson is a well known repre- 
sentative of the farming interests of Ver- 
milion county. He has five hundred acres 
of rich and arable land in Ross township 
and is accounted one of the successful and 
progressive agriculturists and also one of 
the early settlers of this locality, for since 
1856 he has made his home in the county. 
He was born near ]\Iarshfield, in Warren 
county, Indiana, March 25, 1842. His fa- 
ther, Jesse Tomlinson, was a native of 
Ohio and after arriving at years of maturity 
removed westward, settling in Warren 
county in 1827, among the early settlers of 
that ]iart of the state. He took up bis abode 
upon a farm and there he remained until his 
life's labors were ended in death in 1853. 
He was married there to Mary McFarland, 
a native of Ohio. Her death occurred with- 
in two months of her husband's demise. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



171 



The subject of this review is called Dean 
Tomlinson by his many friends and the cir- 
cle of his acquaintance is a very wide one 
in Vermilion county. He is the youngest 
in a family of five sons and six daughters, 
all of whom reached mature years, although 
he and his two sisters are the only ones now 
living. His sister Frances resides with him 
acting as his housekeeper since the death 
of his wife. The other sister, Juliet, is the 
wife of W. B. Miller, of Marshfield, In- 
diana. After the death of his father in 
1853 F. D. Tomlinson came to Illinois, 
being at that time a youth of fourteen years. 
He lived with his brother-in-law until he 
had attained his majority, when he rented 
land and engaged in farming on his own ac- 
count. After two years he settled upon his 
own place, where he now resides. He se- 
cured a tract of raw prairie which he broke 
and fenced, continuing its cultivation as the 
years passed until its rich productive fields 
constitute one of the valuable farms of the 
community. His first home was a log 
cabin, which he occupied for several years 
while clearing and developing his farm, 
but it has long since been replaced by a 
commodious, neat and substantial residence. 
He also has a good barn upon his place, 
convenient outbuildings and the latest im- 
proved machinery. An orchard of his own 
planting bears its fruit in season and shade 
trees surround the home. The place is well 
tiled so that the land has become arable, 
and fences divide the farm into fields of 
convenient sizes. He raises good stock in 
addition to the cultivation of his crops and 
his is one of the modern and model farms 
of the county. 

In this county, in Newell township, No- 
vember 12, 1872, Mr. Tomlinson was united 
in marriage to Matilda C. Youne', a native 



of this county, born in Newell township, 
January 26, 1853, Her father, Charles S. 
Young was one of the early settlers, who 
came to Illinois from Kentucky, his birth 
having occurred in Bourbon county, that 
state, in 1809. He established his home in 
Newell township at a very early period in 
its impro\'ement and was there engaged in 
farming. In 1889 Mr. Tomlinson was 
called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, 
who passed away on the 22d of February, 
and was laid to rest in the family burial 
ground near Marshfield, Indiana. They' 
had four children: Elizabeth F., the wife 
of O. W. Cannon, of Danville, by whom 
she has a son, William D. ; Charles S. ; 
Jesse Dean; and John R. They also lost 
three children : Mary, who died when a 
child of seven years ; Walter, who died at 
the age of four years; and an infant son. 
When age conferred upon Mr. Tomlinson 
the right of franchise he proudly cast his 
first presidential vote for General U. S. 
Grant in 1868 and has given his support to 
each presidential nominee of the party since 
that time. Forty-six years' residence in this 
country entitles him to mention among the 
old settlers and he belongs to that class of 
enterprising citizens, who, while promoting 
their individual success, have also taken a 
helpful interest in the work pertaining to 
the g'eneral welfare. He is well known in 
tile northeastern section of the county and 
his intelligence, worth, and integrity have 
made him a valued citizen. 



WILLIAM H. CARTER. 

\'ermilion county figures as one of the 
most attractive, progressive and prosperous 
division of the state of Illinois, justlv claim- 



1/2 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ing a high Dfdcr oi citizenship and a spirit 
of enterprise wliich is certain to conserve 
onsecuti\-e deN'elopinent and marked ad- 
vancemnt in tlie material upbuilding of the 
section. The county has been and is sig- 
nally favored in the class (jf men who have 
controlled its affairs in official capacity, and 
in this connection the subject of this review 
demands representation as one who has 
served the county faithfully and well in posi- 
tions of distinct trust and responsibility. 
He is now acceptably lilling the position of 
county recorder, to which he was elected 
in 1900 for a term of four years. 

Mr. Carter was born in Peoria county, 
Illinois, September 15, 1863. and is a son 
of Abraham and Eliza (Baum) Carter. He 
comes of Welsh-American ancestry. His 
maternal grandfather, Charles Baum, was 
one of the pioneer settlers of Vermilion 
county, Illinois. He came from Ohio to 
this county, settling in Carroll township 
when that region was still wild and unim- 
proved. He bore his part in the work of 
development and progress and he lived to 
the advanced age of ninety-eight years. Of 
his children there is Ijut one survivor, Mrs. 
Eliza Carter, the mother of our subject. 
She is a native of Ohio, and for one-third 
of a century has been a widow, for Abraham 
Carter, the father of our subject, died in 
1869. He was a native of Illinois. By 
this marriage there were three children, 
Charles E.. now deceased; Frank A., who 
is living in Indianola, Illinois: and William 
11., of this review. 

In the public schools of Indianola Will- 
iam H. Carter acquired his literary edu- 
cation. Plis early youth was spent upon the 
home farm and after entering upon his bus- 
iness career he accepted a clerkshi|5 in In- 
dianola. Later he served as deputy clerk 



and recorder. In 1900 he was elected re- 
corder of Vermilion county on the Republi- 
can ticket for a term of four terms, so 
that he is now filling that position. He has 
also held township offices, having served as 
collector. Socially he is identified with the 
Beiiexolent and Protective Order of Elks, 
with the Masonic fraternity, the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Modern 
Woodmen of America. Xo trust reposed 
in him has e\er been betrayed and he is a 
most capable official, discharging his dutie: 
in a prompt and able manner, placing the 
general good before personal advancement. 



ROBERT V. CHESLEY. 

Upon the jjublic life of Danville Robert 
V. Chesley left an indelible impression and 
he wrote his name upon the keystone of the 
legal arch of Illinois, figuring during the 
middle portion of the nineteeth century as 
one of the most skilled lawyers and gifted 
orators that appeared before courts of the 
state. No citizen of Danville was ever more 
respected and no man ever more fully en- 
joyed the respect so freely accorded him. 
Honorable in business, loyal in citizenship, 
charitable in thought, kindly in action, true 
to every trust confided to his care, his life 
was of th.e highest t}pe of American man- 
hood. Lie was one of the great lawyers of 
the Illinois bar who lives in the memories of 
his contenijioraries encircled with the halo of 
a gracious presence, charming personality, 
])rofound legal wisdom, thrilling oratory, 
puritv of public and private life and the quiet 
dignitv of an ideal follower of his calling. 

Mr. Chesley was a native of \'irginia, 
born May 9, 1832, a son of Alexander P. 




ROBERTCHESLEY 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



175 



Chesley, who after removing to Danville be- 
came postmaster of the city. The son at- 
tended school in Columbus, Ohio, and from 
there came to Vermilion county, where he 
entered upon his business career as an ap- 
prentice to the harness-maker's trade under 
William Myers. When his three years' term 
of service had expired he continued with his 
employer as a journeyman for a number of 
years and then accepted a clerkship in the 
Humphrey drug store. Subseciuently he be- 
came a salesman in the dry-goods store of 
Prosper and Victor Leseure, after which he 
established a harness and saddlery store of 
his own, his shop standing at the corner op- 
posite the First National Bank. He re- 
mained in that business for a time and then 
again engaged in clerking, this time in the 
employe of William E. Russel, a dry-goods 
merchant. 

About this time, — on the 21st of Octo- 
ber, 1852, — in Danville, Mr. Chesley was 
united in marriage to Miss Helen M. Rus- 
sel, a native of Litchfield county, Connecti- 
cut, born August 16, 1830, a daughter of 
William E. and Emeline (Bradley) Russel, 
the former a native of Middletovvn, Connec- 
ticut, and the latter of Litchfield county, 
\\here they were married. Her father was 
engaged in the dry-goods business in the 
east and after his removal to Vermilion 
county in 1833 followed the same line of 
business. He was- also engaged in the land 
and loan business and did a great deal of 
business for the county, also filling a number 
of offices, inchuling that of justice of the 
peace. Prominent in public affairs his ac- 
tivity proved of benefit to the community 
along many lines. His political support was 
given the Democracy and socially he was 
connected with the Masonic fraternity and 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
while in religious faith he was a Universa- 



list. He died in March, 1856, and his wife 
passed away on the 7th of November, 1866. 
Mrs. Chesley was one of a family of four 
children. She has one living brother, Al- 
bert Russel, who is retired in Danville. 

After his marriage Mr. Chesley contin- 
ued clerking until September, 1861, when 
with patriotic impulse to aid in the preserva- 
tion of the Union he joined Company C, of 
the Twelfth Regiment of Illinois Infantry, 
serving under the command of Colonel Mc- 
Arthur and General U. S. Grant. He was 
engaged in several battles and skirmishes, in- 
cluding the engagement at Fort Donelson, 
where he was wounded in the leg by a rifle 
ball. He was then sent to the hospital, 
where he was discharged after serving for a 
year. When he had recovered he took up 
the study of law. He had previously de- 
voted much time to reading law while work- 
ing at his trade, often sitting up nights until 
between one and two o'clock pouring over 
some text-book. After his return from the 
army he continued his reading in the office 
of O. L. Da\is and was admitted to the bar 
after successfully passing the required exam- 
ination. He then opened an office and began 
practice in Danville. He was interested in 
the trial of a number of cases with Abraham 
Lincoln and they became fast friends. He 
was also associated with Steplien A. Doug- 
las and other eminent men of the time, 
many of whom attained national reputations. 
A brilliant orator, his gift in this direction 
was one of the potent elements of his suc- 
cess, but added to this was his logical reason- 
ing, his comprehensi\e knowledge of the law 
and his careful preparation of cases. His 
political support was given to the Republican 
party and had he aspired to political honors 
he undoubtedly could have won fame in 
that direction but he always refused to hold 
office. 



176 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



]\[r. and ^\lrs. Clielsey became the par- 
ents of five children : Charles E., who mar- 
ried Ida Dicken, by whom he has five chil- 
dren, is one of the owners of the Chesley 
Boiler Works and resides in Danville; Fred- 
erick H., who wedded Elizabeth Thomas and 
ha? two children, is also living in Danville 
and works for his brothers in the boiler fac- 
tory; John L., who married Eliza Ham- 
nett, is engaged in boiler mannfacturing- in 
this city; L. A., who married Helen S. Stew- 
art and has three children, is the secretary 
and treasurer of the Danville Foundry Com- 
pany ; Helen May, born in Vermilion coun- 
ty, January i, 1866, is the wife of \\'. S. 
Rowlson, who was born in Terre Haute. In- 
diana, Februar}' 24, 1858, their marriage 
taking place May 14, 1885. His father, I. L. 
Rowlson, is a native of Watertown, New 
York, and was married in Terre Haute to 
Mrs. Mildred McGaughey. W. S. Rowlson 
is now engaged in the carriage business in 
Danville. He is a Republican in his political 
views and a member of the ^Modern Wood- 
men fraternity. He and his wife reside at 
No. 927 North Walnut street and they have 
one son, Chesley, born February 24, 1895. 

Mr. Chesley held membership with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and at- 
tended the Presbyterian church. He perhaps 
had miM"c friends in this portion of the state 
than ariy other man. He was popular soci- 
ally and it is said that no man was more 
graceful or gallant in a ball room or at a 
social function. He had a wonderful mem- 
ory for faces and incidents, a most polished 
manner and genial cordiality and all this ren- 
dered him a most pleasant entertainer. As 
a lecturer he had no equal in Danville and in 
fact his superior ability won for him the 
title of "the silver-tongued orator of the 
west." On the platform such was his per- 



siin;il pojnilarity and such liis personal mag- 
netism that his appearance to address the 
people was the signal for tumultuous en- 
thusiasm and when it was known that he 
was to speak at a public or political gather- 
ing people came for miles to hear him until 
the place of meeting was always taxed to its 
utmost capacity and his remarks were 
cheered to the echo. But his was not alone 
tlie oratory of the master of rhetoric, his ut- 
terances rang with truth, originality, logic 
and power. His eloquence made his law 
pleas memorable and his law library was one 
of the finest of the state. The term "Our 
Bob," so often applied to him, was a token of 
endearment— an indication of the tender re- 
gard which his fellow townsmen had for 
him. In his family he was a devoted hus- 
band and father and put forth every effort in 
his power to promote the welfare and happi- 
ness of his wife and children. He had a 
most comprehensive knowledge of the scrip- 
tures and while he made no professions of 
religion, he who attempted to enlist him in a 
Biblical argument found that he must look 
to his own laurels. He lived religion rather 
than ])riifessed it, and no man was more 
generous to the poor and needy, more ready 
in sympathy or shed around him niore of the 
sunshine and happiness of life. His name 
is inscrilied un the records of the l)ar of Illi- 
nois, l)ut in the city \\here he made his home 
and throughout the state where he had ac- 
quaintances, it is enshrined in the hearts of 
those who were proud to call him friend. 



MRS. IDA J. PASTUER. 

The field of journalism has tlrawn to 
its ranks many of the leading men of the 
C(inntr\'. men whose patriotic devotion to 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



177 



the general good, combined with business 
abihty, has enabled them to establish papers 
having marked influence upon the growth 
and substantial progress of the localities 
with which they are connected. Compara- 
tively few women, however, have entered 
the journalistic realm, but if others could 
do so, manifesting the same capability and 
success that has been shown by Mrs. Pas- 
tuer, it would certainly be a work worthy 
of the best efforts of womankind. She of 
whom we write is the editor of the Gazette, 
of Indianola. Upon her husband's death she 
took up the work which he was forced to 
lay down and with the assistance of her 
two sons, H. M. and W. R. Pastuer, she 
has made the paper a credit to the commun- 
ity and a worthy representative of the news- 
paper field of this portion of the state of 
Illinois. 

Mrs. Pastuer is a native of Terre Haute, 
Indiana, and became the wife of Francis 
J. Pastuer, who established the Gazette. 
The Danville Press said of her: "She is 
a woman of much versatility and governs 
a newspaper with the dignity of a society 
woman in her drawing room. After the 
death of her husband she courageously took 
charge of his business and reared her little 
family. She mastered the business and made 
a success of its every detail." The paper now 
has a paid circulation of one thousand cop- 
ies, and is an excellent advertising medium. 
It is an eight page journal and the plant is 
equipped with everything necessary for the 
publication of a modern up-to-date paper. 
Mrs. Pastuer is ably assisted by her two 
sons, H. M. and W. R., and the latter is 
not only serving as city editor but is also 
city clerk of Indianola. The former occu- 
pied the position of foreman of the printing 
office and possessed marked abilitv as a car- 



toon artist, his w^ork in this direction being 
favorably commented upon by expert judges 
in this line in New York. He is at present 
a student in the New York Cartooning 
school, and will take a position as cartoon- 
ist with a leading Memphis, Tennessee, pa- 
per upon receiving his diploma. Mrs. Pas- 
tuer reads broadly, thinks deeply, and with- 
out strongly marked prejudice she presents 
the subjects of which she treats in a fair 
and just manner. Through the columns of 
her paper she has labored earnestly for the 
welfare of Indianola, and the town is proud 
of the Gazette and of its editor. 



D. C. HINSHAW, M. D. 

Since 1887 Dr. D- C. Hinshaw has re- 
sided in the village of Ridgefarm and 
throughout the southern part of the county 
has engaged in the practice of his profes- 
sion, a liberal patronage being accorded 
him, because he has demonstrated his skill 
and ability to cope successfully with the 
many intricate problems which are con- 
tinually facing the physician. He is a na- 
tive of Hamilton county, Indiana, born 
April 22, 1858, and is a son of John and 
Sarah Hinshaw, both of whom were na- 
tives of North Carolina, and, removing to 
Hamilton county, Indiana, in 1851, became 
early settlers of the latter locality. The 
father purchased a tract of land and has 
since carried on farming there and he and 
his wife are leading members of the Friends 
church and people of the highest respecta- 
bility, who enjoy to an unusual degree the 
confidence and good will of those with whom 
they are associated. Their marriage was 
blessed with eight children, namelv : Isaac, 



178 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



who is residing in Kansas; Thomas, a phy- 
sician, whose home is in Indianapohs, In- 
diana; Martha ].. a resident of Westtield, 
Indiana; Andrew, who is hving in Hamil- 
ton county ; D. C. ; Aseneth, whose home is 
in Plainfield, Indiana ; Lydia Ann, of To- 
ledo, Ohio; and William, who resides with 
his parents on the old home farm in Hamil- 
ton county, Indiana. 

Dr. Hinshaw, whose name introduce^ 
this record, acquired his early education in 
the district schools near the home farm and 
afterward continued his studies in the high 
school at W'estfield, Indiana. He then en- 
tered upon his medical course, going to 
Indianapolis, where he spent three years 
as a student in the Medical College there 
and was graduated on the ist of March. 
1882, with the degree of M. D. He had 
applied himself closely to the mastery of 
the branches which formed the curriculum, 
and thus thoroughly equipped for the prac- 
tice of his profession he opened an oftice 
in Vermilion (jrove, Illinois, where he re- 
mained for a short time, coming thence to 
Ridgefarm, where he has since resided. 
From the heginning of his residence here 
he has enjo\-ed a very lihend ]Kitronage, 
which has continually grown until now his 
practice is a large and profitable one. He 
has practiced here longer than any other 
ph_\-sician in the village and he has a well 
equippe<l ol'lice in the central jKirt of the 
town. 

Dr. Hinshaw was united in marriage to 
Miss Effie R. Dicken, a native of Vermilion 
county, and a daughter of David Dicken. 
a farmer who served as a soldier in the war 
of the Reljellion. He spent his last years 
however, in retirement from active labor 
and died in Danville. The Doctor was called 
upon to mourn the loss of his wife in 1901. 



she passing away on the 19th of February, 
of that year. There \vere two children of 
that marriage, but the elder, Glenn Craw- 
ford, diet! at the age of five months. Hazel 
E., born in October, 1886, resides with her 
father in Ridgefarm. 

The Doctor is not only prominent pro- 
fessionally but is also recognized as one of 
the leading and enterprising citizens of the 
village, devoted to the general good and ever 
allied to the best interests of the town. For 
two years he acceptably served as mayor 
of Ridgefarm. In politics he is a Republi- 
can and fraternally he is connected with 
the Knights of Pythias and with the ^lod- 
ern Woodmen. In religious faith he is con- 
nected with the Society of Friends. In a 
profession where advancement depends up- 
on individual merit he has steadily pro- 
gressed, each year adding to his efiiciency 
by reason of his continued studv and in- 
vestigation. 

♦-•-♦■ 

JAMES S. SCONCE. 

One of the most beautiful homes in east- 
ern Illinois is "l'"air\iew." .\ palatial resi- 
dence, it stands in the midst of a well kept 
lawn, which sk)pes gradually to the road, a 
(|uartcr of a mile distant, a winding drive 
leading up to the hou.se, which is emljowered 
in statch' trees. l'"ar and wide to the right 
and to the left stretch the broad and richly 
cultiva.ted fields of the estate, and the evi- 
dences of care and cultivation are every- 
where seen. "Fairview" is a monument to 
the life, the enterprise and the energ}- of 
James S. Sconce, whose well directed efforts 
in the business world resulted in the acquire- 
ment of this splendid property, which he left 
as a legacv to his wife and children, when 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



i8i 



his life's labors were ended in death and he 
was called to the home beyond. His mem- 
ory is enshrined in the hearts of all who 
knew him. for he endeared himself to all by 
his straightforward conduct, his gentle man- 
ner and his sterling worth. 

Back to an early epoch in American his- 
tory can the ancestry of the family be traced 
and in many events which left their impress 
upon impro\'ement and progress representa- 
tives of the name were active. When civili- 
zation made its way into the wilderness of 
Kentucky the Sconces joinetl the vanguard 
and the great-grandfather of James S. 
Sconce was one of the pioneers of Bourbon 
countv, Kentucky, where he lived in a large 
log house, built especially to resist Indian at- 
tacks. There were eight brothers in the 
family and they were among the brave early 
settlers who reclaimed that beautiful coun- 
try from the domain of the savages. Near- 
ly all of these brothers emigrated to the 
south and west, bearing part in the reclama- 
tion of wild districts for the purpose of civ- 
ilization. There are now many representa- 
tives of the name in Texas. 

Samuel Sconce, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Bourl)on county, Ken- 
tucky, in 1802, and was there reared amid 
the scenes of frontier life, sharing in the 
hardships and trials of the pioneer settlers 
until the year 1828, when he came to Illi- 
nois, settling in Vermilion county the fol- 
lowing year. Here he was married to Miss 
Nancy Waters, who was born in Bourbon 
county. Kentucky, in 1808. and in 1829 
came with her parents to Brooks Point, Ver- 
milion county, where the marriage was cele- 
brated. For a few years they resided in that 
locality and Mr. Sconce gave his attention 
to agricultural pursuits, which he followed 
very successfully. In 1852 he turned his at- 
tention to merchandising in Indianola as a 



member of the firm of Bailey & Sconce, 
which proved a profitable venture until the 
store was destroyed by fire, when Mr. Sconce 
retired from business life. He died in 1874, 
at the age of seventy-one years, and his wid- 
ow passed away in 1897, at the age of eigh- 
ty-nine. They were the parents of three 
children who reached mature years : James 
S. ; America J., of Indianola, who is the wid- 
ow of Dr. Oliver Calvert, by v.-hom she had 
a daughter who died at the age of sixteen 
years: and Thomas J., who was for many 
years a resident of Carroll township, Ver- 
milion county, and died January i, 1888. 

James S. Sconce was bom near Brooks 
Point, November 14, 1831. and accjuired a 
good education, attending first the district 
schools, later the more advanced schools of 
Danville and subsequently the Georgetown 
Academy, at that time the leading educa- 
tional institution of this portion of the state. 
He was also early trained to hard work on 
the home farm and when twenty-four years 
of age he entered his father's store as a clerk 
and for four years drew a salary of only 
three hundred dollars per year. In 1859, 
thinking he might find better business oppor- 
tunities west of the Mississippi, he went to 
Kansas, where he pre-empted one hundred 
and sixty acres of land in Lyons county. He 
remained, however, for only three months 
and then traded his property for a similar 
tract of land in Illinois and here began his 
career as a stockman and dro\er. During 
this time he made the acquaintance of the 
lady whom he sought as his wife, and in Sep- 
tember, 1 86 1, he was united in marriage to 
Miss Emma Sodowsky, the only daughter of 
Harvey Sodowsky. She was reared at 
W'oodlawn, her father's country home and 
supplemented her early education by attend- 
ance at the Georgetown Academy. 

After his marriage Mr. Sconce li\'ed for 



I82 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



a year with his fatlier-in-la\v and then lo- 
cated on tlie place which is now the home of 
his widow and son. As his t'lnancial re- 
sources increased he added to his property 
until he became the owner of twenty-one 
hundred acres of as fine land as can be found 
in this part of the country. He erected 
thereon a splendid residence in the midst of 
tall and graceful trees, which shade a spaci- 
ous lawn, adorned l)y the arts of the land- 
scape gardener. To this place Mrs. Sconce 
very appropriately gave the name of Fair- 
view. Mr. Sconce not only gave his atten- 
tion to tile cultivation of the cereals best 
adapted to soil and climate, but was also an 
extensive raiser and dealer in stock, his vol- 
ume of business in this department reacliing 
a large figure annually. The estate left by 
him was one of the largest ever probated in 
Vermilion county and to the widow and 
children also came the satisfaction of know- 
ing tliat it was gained through strictly legit- 
imate and honorable business methods. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sconce were born 
three children : Anna, the wife of William 
G. Cathcart, the banker of Sideli, Illinois, by 
whom she has a daughter, Celia ; Harvey J. ; 
and Samuel, who died in infancy. It is said 
that "sorrows come not singly," and so it 
seems for Mrs. Sconce lost her husband, her 
father and her mother within a year. Mr. 
Sconce passed away September 21, 1888, at 
the age of fifty-seven years. 

While his success excited the admiration 
of those who knew him. it was his personal 
characteristics that drew around iiim so 
many warm friends. He was a man of fine 
appearance, six feet in height, broad shoul- 
dered, and with the keen, blue eye so char- 
acteristic of the family. He would have at- 
tracted attention in any gathering. Politi- 
cally he was a Democrat from conviction 
and princijjle and in 1882 he consented to be- 



come a candidate for state senator. He made 
a brilliant race, running far ahead of his 
ticket in a county which is strongly Repub- 
lican. He served as supervisor of Carroll 
township and always took a deep interest in 
public afl:'airs. A well filled library indicated 
his literary taste, and he read broadly and 
deeply, spending many of his most pleasant 
hours with his favorite authors. Educa- 
tional matters always awakened his earnest 
interest and heartv co-operation and fcjr a 
number of years he was one of the regents 
of the Wesleyan University, at Blooming- 
ton, Illinois, which was also favored by his 
generosity. He was a consistent and acti\e 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church 
and lie was buried with Masonic honors in 
tiie Woodlawn cemetery, at Indianola. The 
funeral was attended by an immense throng 
and the cortege, headed by three hundred 
Masons in mourning, was over three miles 
in length. ])rol)al)ly the largest funeral e\er 
held in Vermilion County. It was remarked 
by one who knew Mr. Sconce well that "a 
secret society which, commanded the fealty 
of a m;m like James Sconce must have some- 
thing in it." If he loved Masonry it was 
also true tiiat the brethren of the craft loved 
Iiini. He lived a life of simplicity, gentle- 
ness, kindness and charity, and he never al- 
lowed the accumulation of wealth to in any 
way influence his action toward those less 
fortunate, unless it was to make him more 
considerate and gracious. He regarded only 
the worth of character in those whom he 
made his friends and he had the highest re- 
gard for upright manhood. It was therefore 
a logical result that he should draw around 
him a circle of friends that was almost co- 
extensive with his circle of acquaintances, 
and that his death sliould come as a personal 
bereavement to the great majority who 
knew iiim. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



i«3 



His widow still lives at beautiful Fair- 
view. She is well versed iu literature and 
art, and "one is never alone who has the 
companionship of the old masters." As a 
friend remarked to the writer ; "It matters 
not who goes to the home of Mrs. Sconce, 
be they rich or poor, they all receive the same 
gracious welcome." To her husband she was 
a devoted companion and helpmate antl for 
more than a quarter of a century they trav- 
eled life's journey together in a most con- 
genial companionship that made her be- 
reavement very heavy, yet left her with 
many precious memories of hapjiy years of 
wedded life. 



HARVEY J. SCONCE. 

One of the largest and nnjst substantial 
property owners of Vermilion county is 
Harvey J. Sconce, w ho, though still a young 
man, has the responsibility upon his shoul- 
ders of taking care of his large landed inter- 
ests. This he is thoroughly capable of do- 
ing, for he well understands progressive ag- 
ricultural methods and takes a deep interest 
in every improvement that will add to the 
value and attractive^ appearance of his splen- 
did farm. 

Mr. Sconce was born at Fairview farm, 
March 7, 1875. His father was James S. 
Sconce, who was a man prominent in all of 
the affairs of the county in which he made 
his home and well known throughout the 
state, not only as a great agriculturist and 
stock-raiser but also as a progressive and 
public-spirited citizen who had at heart the 
best interests of Vermilion county. He was 
born near Brooks Point in Vermilion coun- 
ty, November 14, 1S31, and died September 
21, 1888. His parents, Samuel and Nancy 
Sconce, were nati\es of Bourbon countv, 



Kentucky, and came to \'ermilion county in 
1829. Theirs was a happy married life and 
the grandfather of our subject was a pro- 
gressive anil influential agriculturist. 
Through the enterprise and efforts of this 
couple the great Sconce estate was created, 
which is known to be one of the finest coun- 
try estates in the United States. Besides 
their son James S. they had two other chil- 
dren : America J., the widow of Oliver Cal- 
vert and a resident of Indianola ; and 
Thomas J., who died January i, 1888. 
James S. Sconce was educated in the public 
schools of this county and the schools of 
Danville. He married Miss Emma Sodow- 
sky, a daughter of Harvey Sodowsky, who 
was one of the farmer "princes" of Ver- 
milion county. She was born June 25, 1842, 
and by her marriage became the mother of 
three children: Anna, Harvey J., and Sam- 
uel, who died in infancy. Anna is now the 
wife of William G. Cathcart, of Sidell, Ver- 
milion county, and has one child, Celia, aged 
nine years. 

Harvey J. Sconce received his early edu- 
cation in the public schools of Vermilion 
county and was reared upon his father's 
delightful farm called Fairview, situated in 
the western part of Carroll township, where 
he yet resides. Later he entered the Univer- 
sity of Illinois, taking the special agricult- 
ural course and graduating in the class of 
1897. While in college he took an active 
interest in athletics and played on the 'var- 
sity football ele\en for three years and on 
the 'varsity nine for one year. 

Upon his return from college 'Mr. 
Sconce immediately assumed control of his 
father's estate which had been under the su- 
pervision of his mother during his minority. 
The farm comprises thirty-one hundred and 
forty acres of the finest land in the state. 
In connection with the cultivation of his 



i84 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



land Mr. Sconce is also engaged in feeding 
stock on a large scale and niakes a specialty 
of pure bred shorthorns, having a herd of 
pure white shorthorns at the present time in 
addition to his red herd. He is regarded as 
good authority on all agricultural subjects. 

On the 2d of June, 1897, j\Ir. Sconce 
was united in marriage to Miss Eva Fisher, 
who was bom July 22, 1876, and is the 
daughter of Michael and Marietta Fisher, of 
Indianola. One cliild blesses this union, 
Emma Frances, born May g, 1898. 1'he 
members of the Sconce household now con- 
sists of our subject, his mother, wife and 
child, and theirs is a happy home, made at- 
tractive by all the modern conveniences of 
this progressi\'e and enlightened age. Elec- 
tric lights illuminate all of the farm build- 
ings as well as the palatial residence, which 
consists of beautifully furnished rooms, 
fitted u]) in the most perfect taste. A de- 
lightful conser\-atory is one of the eml)el- 
lishmcnts of the home and it contains beau- 
tiful and rare plants and Howers, while a 
billiard room contributes to the entertain- 
ment of those who enjoy such pastime. 

Fraternally Mr. Sconce is a Mason, be- 
ing past master of Sidell Lodge, No. 798, 
F. & .\. M., and he also belongs to the Be- 
nevolent and Protective Order of Elks at 
Danville and to the Kappa Sigma, a (ireek 
letter fraternity. His religious views are in- 
dicated 1)',- his membership in the ^lethodist 
church and in politics he is a Republican, be- 
lieving hrmly in the principles of that party. 
He is deep]}- interested in the general wel- 
fare of bis county and state and keejjs well 
informed on the c|uestions and issues of the 
day. Patriotic and progressive, public spir- 
ited -and enterprising, he is one of Vermilion 
coimty's representative men and is held in 
the highest respect and esteem by all who 
know him. 



EDWARD ROUSE. 

Edward Rouse is a i)ioneer settler of 
Vermilion county, having located here in 
1834. He had previously visited the county 
in 1832, and returned to Ohio, his native 
place, in 1833, but he again came to \'ermil- 
ion county the next year, locating in Dan- 
ville township, and removed to Newell town- 
ship in 18.4.9. Here he has remained and 
during the succeeding years has been a \ery 
prominent man in his locality and has taken 
an important part in the work of improve- 
ment and development of the same. He was 
born in Scioto county. Ohio. ]\larch 18. 
1825, and is the son of Reason and IMartha 
(Olehy) Rouse, who were natives of Dela- 
ware and \'irginia. respectiveh', and were 
married in Ohio. The subject of this re\'iew 
is one of a family of six children. Isaac died 
in December, 1883. Rebecca Ann died in 
Ohio, on the return of Air. Rouse to diat 
state, in 1833. l"he subject of this review is 
the third in order of l)irth. John resides on 
the state line in U'arrcn countv, Indiana, 
and also li\-ed in \'ermilion county for some 
years. Dennis died about the year 1896. 
Elizabeth is the deceased wife of Joseph 
Huston. .She left one child, who also died 
later. 

Edward l\ouse of this review attended 
the subscription schools in the months of 
winter and worked upon the farm in the 
summer .seasons. Fie came from Ohio in a 
covered wagon and hired a man to make the 
tri]). which consumcfl about three weeks. 
His fatlier b;id died when he was about 
si.x years of age and the mother died the fol- 
lowing March, in 1833, leaving six orphans. 
Edward Rouse made his home after this 
witli his mother's brothers and was reared 
bv them. He lived witli his uncles until lie 
was about eighteen years of age, when he be- 




EDWARD ROUSE. 




MRS. EDWARD ROUSE. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



189 



gan working out by the month, at first re- 
ceiving seven dollars. He continued work- 
ing until his marriage, which occurred Oc- 
tober 4, 1S46, the lady of his choice being 
Minerva Martin, who was born in Newell 
township, A'^ermilion county, August 16, 
1829. She is the young'est of a family of 
eleven children, all of whom reached years 
of maturity. The family were pioneers of 
Vermilion county, and Mrs. Rouse is the 
only surviving member. The family was es- 
tablished in the state before there were any 
railroads constructed and iVIrs. Rouse now 
lives within one quarter of a mile of the old 
homestead on which she was reared. There 
was a race to enter the piece of land north of 
where she was born. 

After his marriage Mr. Rouse of this re- 
view rented land for one year and in 1848 
he bought forty acres at four dollars per 
acre. This was all wild and unimproved, 
but with characteristic energy he proceeded 
to cultivate it and place it under a high state 
of productiveness. He made all of the im- 
provements thereon, and his neat and attrac- 
tive residence and substantial barns and 
granaries indicate the progressive spirit of 
the owner. He has been ver}^ industrious 
and energetic, and with the aid of his estima- 
ble wife he has succeeded in winning a com- 
fortable competence. The wife has not only 
done the house work, but has made all the 
clothing and otherwise has borne the bur- 
dens and endured the hardships incident to 
pioneer life, when the advantages of an old- 
er civilization were not obtainable. Both 
Mr. Rouse and his wife were reared in a log 
cabin. After their marriage Mr. Rouse built 
a frame liouse in 1861 on his farm. The 
nearest trading points to their home were 
Covington and Perrysville, and their grain 
was hauled to Lafayette and Chicago in ex- 
change for groceries, salt and provisions. 



They made the journey with teams, camp- 
ing out on the way to and from the city. 
Mr. Rouse hauled apples to Ottawa on the 
Illinois river, and to Chicago, in 1849. I" 
case of a drought in their part of the state, he 
would return with a load of potatoes bought 
at seventy-five cents and sold at one dollar 
and a half per bushel. There being no rail- 
roads in the state, the interchange of com- 
merce was slow and not extensive. Mr. and 
Mrs. Rouse well remember the first railroad 
that was constructed into Danville, known 
as the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railroad, 
in 1857. That also was the year in which 
Mrs. Rouse lost her mother by death. 
Twenty years previous to this, during the 
early boyhood days of Mr. Rouse, he worked 
at teaming on a railroad that was begun but 
was never finished until it was revived in 
1857. Mr. Rouse is now in his seventy- 
eighth year and can see to read without 
glasses, which he has done for the past ten 
years, now having his "second eye-sight." 
For thirty years previous to that he wore 
glasses. He was actively engaged in farm- 
ing until the year 1900, but since that time 
has lived retired upon the old home farm. 
He and his wife celelsrated their gxjlden wed- 
ding October 4, 1896, and all of the children 
and grandchildren except two of the family 
circle were gathered around the old home 
fireside to participate in the joyous function. 
The two not present were Mrs. Alice Stew- 
art, of Kansas, and John B., of Nebraska. 
Invitations were sent out and about two 
hundred were present. This was a happy 
re -union for the family, and manv reminis- 
cences of former days were indulged in, and 
comparisons made between the primitive 
past and the progressive present. The ven- 
erable father and mother of this family of 
children were made young again in spirit by 
the oresenee of their lo\'ed ones. 



I90 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Unto ]\Ir. and Mrs. Rouse were born 
twehe children, as follows : Martha is the 
wife of Thomas Mackin and resides in Ver- 
milion county. They are the parents of sev- 
en children, five of whom are living. Den- 
nis H. married Sarah Crouse and resides in 
Dan\ille. They have one living child and 
lost two. The third member of the Rouse 
family is Susan, who lives upon the home 
farm, and is caring for her aged parents. 
"John B. married Josephine Herrin and they 
reside in Nebraska, having three children. 
Rosann is the wife of Alex Stewart and 
they had six children, five of whom are liv- 
ing. They reside in Kansas. Their oldest 
girl is married and lives in Colorado. Mary 
Ann is the wife of W. T. Hanson. They 
had li\'e chilfh'cn, three of whom are yet liv- 
ing". They reside one-half mile north of the 
old home farm in Newell townshij). They 
have one daughter who is niarried and has 
one child, the latter being the great-grand- 
child of I\Ir. and Mrs. Rou^e. Rebecca Ann 
is the wife of Leroy Walker, is living in 
Danville, and has four children. Julia Ann 
is tlie wife of Charles T. Long. They had 
nine children, six of whom are living, and 
make their home in Danville township. 
JMincrva is the wife of L. P. Adams, of 
Newell township, and has four living chil- 
dren. They also lost one. Sarah Ann is the 
wife of John J. Long, residing in Danville 
township, and the\" have se\'en children, all 
living. One child died in infancy; and Ed- 
win Austin, the youngest member of the 
family, died October 18, 1886, at the age of 
fnurteen years, ten months and two days. 

^Ir. and ]ilrs. Rouse have lived in Ver- 
milion county for many years. There werje 
scarcely any towns or villages here at lliat 
time. They have since sprung up into flour- 
ishing and enterprising towns and cities and 
thus the progress of the great state of Illi- 



nois has !)een assured. Mrs. Rouse has made 
trijis to Danville for her mother when there 
was only one store in the place — a wonder- 
ful change is now seen in this thriving city 
of the west. At that time the land abounded 
in sloughs. Her mother died in her sixty- 
eighth year, January 28, 1857, in the pres- 
ent home of ^Ir. Rouse and his wife. Her 
father died in Washington territory near 
Vancouver, in March, 1861. He was one of 
the highly respected pioneers of Vermilion 
county and at the time of his death was 
about se\"enty-five years of age. 

Mr. Rouse and his wife are among those 
who have helped to build up Newell town- 
ship, and their prominence and popularity in 
the township is indicated by the fact that 
their niauv friends toijk occasion on their 
golden wedding to present them with many 
valuable presents. Among these were two 
walking canes, one gold headed and the oth- 
er made of pure glass in the glass works at 
Danville. The gold headed cane was pre- 
sented by friends at Danville. Their chil- 
dren presented each with a beautiful gold 
watch. The dishes presented by Danxille 
friends are gold lined, beautiful and costly 
soux'enirs. Mrs. Rouse's sister's children 
presented them with a golden pitcher of ex- 
quisite taste and design and two golden can- 
dlesticks representing the fiery serpent were 
among the presents. This plainly shows the 
high esteem and hnnor in which ^Ir. and 
Mrs. Rouse arc held by their many friends, 
and the pages of the history of Vermilion 
county, past and present, will be enhanced 
by mention of these pioneer citizens. In 
their comfortable home happiness, peace and 
contentment reign, as the result of lives no- 
bly spent. The home is tastefully furnished 
and arranged. Their daughter, Susan, who 
is acting as housekeeper and general mana- 
ger, has splendid business ability and great 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



191 



taste in arranging tlie liome and grounds. 
She is gifted in the art of the taxidermist 
and has a charming and beautiful collection 
of native birds. She has natural ability in 
this line and the birds are arranged very 
artistically in a case and have a very natural 
and life-like appearance. She has a collec- 
tion of almost every species of native birds, 
among them being two mud hens. 

Mr. Rouse now owns two hundred and 
forty acres of the very best improved land in 
Vermilion county, and every foot of the 
same has been put under its present state of 
cultivation through the hard work of Air. 
Rouse. Only eight acres were cleared when 
it came into his possession. His land is so 
divided in various portions, that it may be 
equally distributed among his children. In 
addition he owns one hundred and sixty 
acres in Kansas. The labcjrs of this honored 
couple have brought to them a comfortable 
competence and they are now enjoying a 
well earned rest from the toils of life. For 
many years they have Ii\-ed together in hap- 
piness, their mutual love and confidence in- 
creasing as the years have passed. The land 
that he possesses is partly in his wife's name, 
she ha\'iug forty acres deeded to her. Of 
the other portion of the farm, one hundred 
and thirty-three acres are in Danville town- 
ship, and sixty-seven acres are in Newell 
township, making in all about two hundred 
and forty acres. Before his retirement from 
active life Mr. Rouse had been identified for 
fifty-four years with farming and stockrais- 
ing. He has also taken a prominent part in 
public affairs. He served for one term as 
supervisor of Newell township, beginning in 
tlie early part of the year 1862, and has 
helped build schools on his own and other 
land. He and his wife are identified with 
the Primitive Baptist church, which he 



helped to build on his land, giving the asso- 
ciation the site and aiding in its material 
and spiritual growth. Many of the meet- 
ings of this association are held at his house. 
Mr. Rouse has always voted the Democratic 
ticket, casting his first presidential ballot for 
Louis Cass, and he has since been a standard 
bearer of the party, of which he is very 
proud. Horace Greeley is tiie only Demo- 
cratic nominee for the presidency whom he 
failed to vote for. During his active busi- 
ness life Mr. Rouse was a very successful 
farmer and his land was so cultivated as to 
yield him a fine return, his annual corn crops 
yielding him now forty to fifty bushels and 
oats twenty-five to fifty bushels to the acre. 
He is a noble representati\'e of the pioneers 
of \^ermilion county, and his life record 
should be an inspiration to future genera- 
tions. 



GEORGE TANNER. 

To the heroes who fought and suffered, 
giving several of the best years of their 
early manhood to the preservation of th6 
L^nion under whose flag they were born, 
universal tribute of gratitude is given and 
it is fitting that their patriotic service should 
find mention in the annals of their county, 
state and naton. Those who are enjoying 
the peace and prosperity which have come 
as a direct result of that long and terrible 
strugg'le between the north and south can- 
not have impressed upon their minds too 
often the great price which it cost. Wher 
the tocsin of war sounded George Tanner 
was among those who responded, and 
throughout the greater part of the Civil war 
he wore the blue uniform of the nation and 
valiantly fought its battles. 



19-2 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Mr. Tanner was born in Carroll county, 
Indiana, January 30, 1839, his parents be- 
ing Jacob and Elizabeth (Pilcher) Tanner, 
the former a native of New York and the 
latter of Ohio. The father followed farm- 
ing throughout his entire business career 
The mother died in \'ermilion county, Illi- 
nois, near Danville, and of the fourteen 
children of the family but three are now 
living: Samuel, Sarah and George. Sarah 
is the wife of Elias IMarion. After the 
death of his first wife the father married 
Mrs. Boggs and his death occurred in Aug- 
ust. 1890, in Urbana. 

George Tanner pursued his education in 
the common schools of Ford county, Illinois, 
and remained at home through the period 
of his yciuth, assisting in the work of the 
home farm, when not pursuing his studies. 
He began farming on his own account on 
rented land and after two years thus passed 
he i)urchasc(I fortv acres in \'ermilion coun- 
tv. .\s a com])anion and helpmate for the 
journey of life he chose Miss Eliza Speers 
and they were married near Pilot Grove, 
Illinois, November 17, 1858. The lady was 
a native of Virginia and died on the 15th 
of November, 1859, leaving one child. 
Francis Marion, who resides in Danville. 

On the 4th of August, 1862, in response 
to his country's need, Mr. Tanner enlisted 
at Chambersburg, Indiana, as a member 
of Company H, Seventy-second Indiana In- 
fantry, under Captain R. B. Hanna and 
Colonel A. O. Miller. The regiment was 
assigned to the Fourteenth Army Corps, 
under General Thomas, who commanded 
the corps for about a year. They were 
mounted infantry of Wilder's Brigade and 
afterward joined Long's corps of cavalry, 
remaining in the cavalry service until the 
close of hostilities. I\Tr. Tanner was also 



with Sherman throughout the Chattiuiooga 
campaign and at the battle of Chickamauga. 
He was also in the engagements at Stt)ne 
River, Hoo\er"s Gap. the Atlanta campaign, 
Buzzard's Roost, Ringgold and luunerous 
others of lesser importance. During the 
Atlanta campaign his entire brigade were 
in their saddles for forty-two days and 
nights, protecting the troops of infantry. 
After this campaign the regiment fell b.'ick 
with Thomas, at .Vashville. and engaged 
in the pursuit of Hood. Later they were 
detached and sent to follow Sherman on 
his march to the sea, proceeding as far as 
Macon, within three days' march of 
Atlanta when the news of Lee's surrender 
was received. On that occasion the Sev- 
enty-second Indiana fell back to Louisville, 
Kentucky, and was there mustered out, Mr. 
Tanner receiving an honorable discharge 
at Indianapolis, on the 26th day of July. 
1865. He was within <me hundred and fifty 
yards of McPherson when that general was 
killed. He was also in the battle of Selma, 
Alalnma, on the Sunday when the L'nion 
troops, numbering only twenty-five hun- 
dred, engaged the forces of General Forest, 
numbering seven thousand men. They cap- 
tured Selma. Alabama, in one hour and 
forty minutes, and lost one hundred and 
fifty men. both commanders. Long and Mil- 
ler, being wounded. Thev secured one 
thousand ])risoners. over one thousand 
horses, and killing more than a thousand 
of the Rebel troops. The city was fortified 
l)y a line of breastworks and was consid- 
ered one of the best fortified strongholds 
of the entire south, but the l^nion troops 
with marked gallantry captured this place, 
destroying the southern arsenal with all its 
guns, cannon and ammunition. Mr. Tan- 
ner ser\-ed for three vears as one of the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



»93 



valiant defenders of the old flag, never wa- 
vering in his allegiance or faltering in his 
faith as to the final outcome of the Union 
arms. His health was much impaired dur- 
ing the service, and in fact he has never 
fully recovered to this day. 

After the close of the war Mr. Tanner 
returned to Ford county and assisted his 
father on the home farm for a short time. 
He then went to Ohio on a visit and was 
there married to Julia A. Tanner, of Pales- 
tine, in the year 1866. He re^nained in the 
Buckeye state for two years, carrying on 
farming, after which he returned to Illinois, 
taking up his abode in Vermilion county 
upon his father's land near East Lynn. He 
then cared for his parents until his mother's 
death. On account of ill health contracted 
in the service he was advised by his phy- 
sician to leave the farm and he turneil his 
attention to the carpenter's trade which he 
followed for about a quarter of a century, 
living at East Lynn and working as a build- 
er in that vicinity. In 1890 he came to 
Hoopeston, where he continued his carpen- 
try work for six years and then on account 
of ill healtli he was obliged to retire from 
business life. He is now serving his thirv 
term as justice of the peace in Hoopeston 
and discharges his duties in a manner that 
is alike creditable to himself and satisfac- 
tory to his constituents. He is also acting 
as agent for fire and tornado insurance 
companies and writes a fair amount of poli- 
cies each year. 

L'nto ]\Ir. Tanner by his second wife 
were born four children, but only one is 
now living, Catherine, the wife of Lester 
D. Knight, now of Clarion, Iowa, but at 
the time of their marriage a merchant of 
Hoopeston. ]\Ir. Tanner has also reared 
a grandson, Luther Arnold, who lias been 



a member of his household from the age of 
six years. Mr. Tanner resides on East 
Penn street where he owns a pleasant and 
attractive home. In his political views he 
is a stalwart Republican and is now serv- 
ing as notary public. He likewise belongs 
to the Grand Army of the Republic, in 
which he served for one term as adjutant. 
His religious faith is indicated by his mem- 
bership in the Baptist church. As a citizen 
he has been fathful to his duties in times 
of peace as well as in times of war. He 
made a great sacrifice for his country in 
the hour of her danger but he never counted 
the cost when the stability of the LInion 
was threatened. He relates many interest- 
ing incidents of his army life. He tells 
how on New Year's eve of 1863, a detail 
of ten men out of each company of the bri- 
gade was made and a detachment from the 
Fourth Regulars, from the Seventh Penn- 
sylvania, the Second New Jersey and the 
Second Tennessee, started with these men 
from Mr. Tanner's brigade upon a raid. 
It was a memorable night because of the 
intense cold. The sleet lay so thick on the 
ground that it made an icy covering and 
the men found it impossible to remain in 
their saddles. The second day out they 
were on the Cumberland mountains and 
stopped that night -in Savannah, Tennessee, 
where they went into camp on the Tennes- 
see, and from there to Memphis, Tennessee. 
Mr. Tanner was among the number de- 
tailed, and with the others he proceeded on 
the road to Memphis, and from there down 
through Mississippi to West Point, where 
they met General Forrest. The L'nion 
troops were compelled to fall back and had 
a running fight with the Rebels for five 
days and nights, falling back through Holly 
Springs and then back to Memphis. Ten- 



194 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



nessee. Mr. Tanner was the first man that 
carried dispatches over the Cumberland 
muuntains from Tracy City to Jasper, Ten- 
nessee. The government now grants him a 
pension of fourteen dollars per month in re- 
cognition of what he did for his country, al- 
though this is totally disproportionate to his 
services and the sacrifice it has cost him in 
vices and the sacrifice it has cost him in 
health. He is widely known in Vermilion 
count}^ and in office he has gained the re- 
spect and confidence of all with wliom he 
has been associated. His friends are many 
and it is with pleasure that we present to 
them this record of his life. 



WILLIAM HUBB. 



From an early epoch in the settlement 
of Vermilion county William Hubb was 
one of its residents and took an active part 
in the work which changed this from a wild 
frontier region to one of the leading coun- 
ties of this great commonwealth. He was 
a native of Germany, born September 12, 
1 81 2. His father, Adam Hubb, was also 
born in Germany, where he spent his entire 
life. There he learned the shoemaker's 
trade and followed it continuously until his 
death. Three of his children came to Amer- 
ica — our subject and two sisters — but all 
and now deceased. 

During his boyhood days, passed in 
Germany, William Hubb learned the shoe- 
maker's trade and worked at that pursuit 
with his father until 1845, when he resolved 
to seek a home in the new world, with its 
broader business opportunities. Accordingly 
he severed the ties which bound him to his 
native land and sailed for America, landing 



in Xew York city, where he followed shoe- 
maknig for two years. During that time 
he was united in marriage to Miss Alagda- 
lenc W'illem, who was born in Germany, in 
June, 1818, and was a daughter of Jacob 
W illeni, a cooper by trade and also a large 
fruit raiser of the fatherland. He spent his 
entire life in Germany. The marriage of 
Mr. and Mrs. Hubb was blessed with seven 
children: William, who died in 1886, 
Charles, who died in Carthage, Missouri, 
in 1898; Magdalene, the wife of E. C. 
Vorse, of Crawfordsville, Indiana; Fritz, 
who married Callie Johnson and is now en- 
gaged in the grocery business at the corner 
of Madison and Pine streets in Danville; 
Lou. deceased; Marie, the wife of Charles 
M. Smith, owner of an art and stationery 
store on Vermilion street, in Danville; and 
one that died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. 
Smith now make their home with her 
mother and they have one child, Hul)b. 

After his marriage Mr. Hubb came di- 
rect from New York city to Danville, ar- 
riving here in 1847, among the early set- 
tlers. He found a small town in the midst 
of a prairie country, which was then Init 
sparsely settled. He at once opened a shoe 
shop and began working at his trade, which 
he followed for several years. Later he es- 
tablished a shoe store, handling ready made 
goofls, thus engaging in retailing shoes un- 
til his later years, when he disposed of his 
store and practically lived in retirement 
from business cares, although he assisted 
his sons to some extent in their grocery 
store. He prospered in his undertak- 
ings and at the time of his death he owned 
considerable property, which was divided 
among his children. He belonged to the 
German Lutheran church of Danville, of 
which his wife is also a member. In poll- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



195 



tics he was an earnest Democrat, believing 
firmly in the principles of the party, but 
though he was often solicited to become a 
candidate for office he would never do so. 
His life was one of marked industry and 
earnest toil and his labor was followed by 
the natural result — a comfortable compet- 
ence. He passed away December 4, 1880, 
respected by all who knew him. He had 
many friends among the early settlers of 
the city as well as many of the more recent 
arrivals here and he enjoyed the esteem of 
all with whom he had been brought in con- 
tact, through business or social relations. 
His widow, Mrs. Hubb, and her daughter, 
Mrs. Smith, reside in a pleasant home at 
No. II Franklin street, wliicli was erected 
at an early day by William Hul)]). 



JONATHAN PRATHER. 

The name of Prather is closely asso- 
ciated with the history of Vermilion county, 
especially in connection with the agricitl- 
tural development of this section of the 
state. Jonathan Prather is a respected and 
worthy member of this family and is classed 
with the intelligent and enterprising farm- 
ers of Ross township. He owns a farm 
lying partly within and also adjoining the 
corporation limits of Rossville. It is well 
improved and valuable. He also has three 
hundred and twenty acres of land on sec- 
tions 9 and 10, Ross township, and thus 
his landed possessions class him with the 
substantial residents of his community. 
About 1847 he became a resident of this 
locality and throughout all the intervening 
years he has been known as one true to the 
duties of public and private life. 



Jonathan Prather, his grandfather, re- 
moved with his family from Kentucky to 
Indiana and became one of the first set- 
tlers of \''ermilion county, that state, spend- 
ing his remaining days there. His son, 
Jeremiah Prather, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Kentuck)-, but was reared 
in the Hoosier state and when he had at- 
tained his majority he wedded Evelyn Mil- 
ler. She, too, was born in Kentucky and 
was a daughter of Cornelia Miller, an aunt 
of George W. Miller, whose sketch appears 
elsewhere in this work. About the year 
1847 Jeremiah Prather removed to Ver- 
milion county, Illinois. Much of the land 
still remained in possession of the govern- 
ment. He entered a tract, bought other 
land, and became the owner of nine hun- 
dred acres, upon which he developed an 
excellent farm, spending his last years at 
the old family homestead in Ross township, 
where he died about 1859. His wife had 
passed away a few years previous. 

In Ross township, Jonathan Prather 
spent the days of his boyhood and youth 
He acquired a common-school education 
and after his father's death began providing 
for his own support by working as a farm 
spent the days of his boyhood and youth, 
hand. On the i6th of September, 1863, 
howe\'er, he put aside all business and per- 
sonal considerations in order to aid in the 
preservation of the Union, and, joining the 
Third Indiana Cavalry, was sent to Wash- 
ington, D. C, where the regiment was at- 
tached to the army of the Potomac in the 
valley of the Shenandoah under General 
Phil Sheridan. He participated in the seven 
days' battle of the Wilderness and in many 
similar engagements. He was also in the 
battles of Winchester, Cedar Creek and the 
movements of the army arotmd Petersburg, 



Iy6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



continuing witii his regiment until the final 
surrender of Lee's troops. He was never 
absent from duty and always stacked arms 
with his company. Faithful and loyal he 
was ever found at his post of duty, whether 
on the picket line or the firing line, and after 
the close of the war he was honorably dis- 
charged at Indianapolis, August 3, 1865, 
after which he returned to his home in Illi- 
nois. 

Mr. Prather then followed farming in 
Vermilion county, Illinois, until 1867, when 
he remoxed to Wright county, Missouri, 
where lie spent two years. On the expira- 
tion of that period, however, he again came 
to Vermilion county, renting a farm and 
subsequently purchased a tract of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of improved land. This 
he at once began to cultivate, working in 
the fields until they were made rich and 
productive. He also added more land as 
his financial resources increased buying ad- 
joining tracts and now he has three hun- 
dred and twenty acres, all in one body. 
On this he has erected a neat house and 
substantial barns, has also planted an or- 
chard and has drained his fields by tiling 
until the farm is very rich and productive. 
About 1887, however, Mr. Prather removed 
to Rossville and later bought a seventy acre 
tract of land on the east border of the town. 
Hereon he erected a large and attractive 
home and has since given his attention to 
the impro\-ement of his farm, in addition 
to the cultivation of the old homestead. 

Mr. Prather w-as married in Grant 
township, this county, in 1879, to Mary 
Seager, a native of Michigan, who was born 
and reared near Jackson. She was well ed- 
ucated and successfully engaged in teach- 
ing both in ^lichigan and \'ermilion coun- 
ty. Her father, James Seager, removed 



from that state to Illinois, settling in \'er- 
milion county, and here the daughter met 
and married Mr. Prather. Their union has 
been blessed with one son, Arthur, now a 
young man. 

Mr. Prather was reared in the faith of 
the Democracy but has always been a stanch 
Kepuljlican, unfaltering in his advocacy of 
the party and its princi])les, but he has never 
sought ottice as a reward for his party loy- 
alty. He and his wife are members of the 
Rossville Christian church and he belongs 
to the Grand Army Post, thus mamtaining 
pleasant relations with his old comrades 
who wore the blue uniform of the nation. 
He is to-day as true and loyal to his duties 
of citizenship as when he followed the old 
Hag on southern battle-fields and in Ver- 
milion county, where he has so long made 
his home, he is held in the highest regard, 
because he has been found straightforward 
in his business dealings and honorable in 
his treatment of his fellow men in all social 

relations. 

♦-.-♦ 

JOSEPH G. ENCiLISH. 

.\ half century has passed since this gen- 
tleman arrived in Dainille and he is justly 
numljercd among her honored early settlers 
and leading citizens. He has been prom- 
inently identified with her business interests 
as a merchant and banker and as the proprie- 
tor of manv enterprises which have not only 
advanced his individual success, but have 
also contributed to the general welfare and 
])rosperitv. His is an honorable record of a 
conscientious man, who by his upright life 
has won the confidence of all with whom he 
has come in contact. He has rounded the 
Pslamist's span of three-score years and ten. 




JOSEPH G. ENGLISH. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



199 



and although the snows of several winters 
have whitened his hair, he has tlie vigor of 
a much 3'ounger man, and in spirit and in- 
terests seems yet in his prime. Old age is 
not necessarily a synonym of weakness or 
inactivity. It needs not suggest, as a matter 
of course, want of occupation or helpless- 
ness. There is an old age that is a benedic- 
tion to all that comes in contact with it, thai 
gives out of its rich stores of learning and 
experience, and grows stronger intellectually 
and spiritually as the years pass. Such is 
the life of Mr. English, an encouragement to 
his associates and an example well worthy 
of emulation to the young. 

Joseph Gibson English was born in Ohio 
county, Indiana, near the village of Rising 
Sun, on the 17th of December, 1820. In the 
paternal line the ancestry is traced back 
through several generations to the time of 
the early settlement of Connecticut, and 
and Charles English, the father of our 
subject, was a native of New Haven, that 
state. After arriving at years of maturity 
he married Miss Ann Wright, who was of 
English nativity. The paternal grandfather 
removed to Nova Scotia, but subsequently 
his children returned to the United States 
and settled in various localities. Charles 
English became a resident of Ohio county, 
Indiana, and was there identified with indus- 
trial pursuits, engaging in blacksmithing 
and carpentering. In 1829 he left that lo- 
cality and became a resident of Perrysville 
in the Wabash valley. 

It was in the latter place that J. G. Eng- 
lish largely spent his boyhood days. If the 
horologe of time could but turn upon the past 
and we could look at Perrysville as it ap- 
peared six or seven decades ago, we would 
find there a little log schoolhouse such as was 
usually seen in pioneer districts. It had 



a puncheon fioor and primitive furnishings 
and among the students was Joseph English, 
then a little lad, who owes his school train- 
ing entirely to the privileges found in that 
"temple of learning." As his parents were 
in somewhat straightened financial circum- 
stances he early started qiut to make his own 
way in the world and fiiom the age of four- 
teen has depended entirely upon his own ef- 
forts for a living. He entered the services 
of the firm of Taylor & Linton, general mer- 
chants of Lafayette, Indiana, with whom he 
remained for five years. His position was by 
no means a sinecure for he had to begin 
work in the early morning light and continue 
at his tasks until long after dark. On mar- 
ket days, which occurred thrice weekly, he 
arose between three and four o'clock in the 
morning to sweep the store and prepare it 
for the reception of the Dunkard customers, 
who utilized the early morning hours to 
make their purchases. Although this seemed 
rather a hard life for a boy, it developed in 
Mr. English a self-reliance and force of 
character that have proved to him of incal- 
culable value in later years. While perform- 
ing liis daily tasks he obtained a good 
knowledge of mercantile business and was 
thus qualified to engag'e in merchandising on 
his own account at a later day. He received 
for his services his board and clothing — a 
little compensation for such long hours of 
steady work. After he had been with the 
firm for fi\'e years his employers failed and 
he then obtained a position as clerk in a gen- 
eral store in Perrysville, at a salary of forty 
dollars per month. When three years had 
passed he found himself in possession of 
aljout four hundred dollars for he had made 
a nile ahva\-s to save something from his 
earnings. With this capital he determined 
to marry and establish a home of his own 



200 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



and was j(_;ine(l in wedlock to ]\Iiss Mary 
Hicks, a native of Perrysviile and a rei)re- 
sentative of an old New England family. 

In 1844 Mr. English entered the mer- 
cantile field on liis own account as a partner 
of !iis father-in-law. George Hicks, under 
the firm style of Hicks & English. The new 
enterprise met with success from the he- 
ginning. They stocked their store with dry 
goods, groceries, produce and grain ; they 
earnestly desired to please their customers 
and moreover they followed honorahle busi- 
ness methods, which would bear the closest 
investigation and win for them the confi- 
dence and therefore the patronage of the 
public. Business methods were then some- 
what different from those of the present day. 
Merchandise was purchased and sold on a 
credit of tweK'e months and the products of 
the central Mississippi valley were trans- 
ported to market in New Orleans by way of 
the river route, for the era of railroad trans- 
portation had not then dawned upon the 
country. The marketable products of In- 
diana and Illinois were sent down the Ohio 
and Mississippi rivers and it was thus that 
the firm of Hicks & English shipped their 
wheat, corn, pork and other commodities to 
New Orleans on llatboats, the subject of this 
review frequently acting as an oarsman on 
such journeys. 

The year 1853 witnessed the arrival of 
Mr. English in Danville. He sold his store 
in Perrysviile, Indiana, and coming to this 
city became a partner of John L. Tincher, 
imder the firm name of Tincher & English. 
Their general store also proved a profitable 
investment, being successfully conducted 
until 1856, when the firm became the as- 
signees of the Stock Security Bank, a "wild 
cat" institution, which was forced into bank- 
ruptcy in the early days of the widespread 



panic of 1856-7. At that lime Messrs. 
Tincher & English disjjosed of their mercan- 
tile affairs in order to give their entire atten- 
tion to the duties which de\'ol\ed upon the 
firm in connection with the bank. While 
thus engaged they gradually began trans- 
acting a brokerage and exchange business, 
which grew until it had eventually become a 
private banking enterprise. In b'ebruary, 
1863, the national bank bill passed congress 
and these gentlemen were among the first to 
seek a charter and t)rgani2e a national bank. 
They established the I'irst National Bank of 
Danville, which was capitalized for fifty 
thousand dollars, and Mr. English became 
the ])resident. coiuinually filling that posi- 
tion until July, 1899, when he resigned. In 
187 J, after the death of Mr. Tincher. the 
ca])ital stock \\;is increased to one hundred 
and fifty thousand dollars, where it still re- 
mains, with a surplus of over one hundred 
and fifty thousantl dollars. The success of 
this institution was assured from the first, 
because of the reliability of the men at its 
head, their sound judgment and conserva- 
ti\c business methods. Banking institutions 
arc the heart of the commercial body, in- 
dicating the hcalihfulness of the trade, and 
the bank that follows a safe conservati\'e 
])olicy does more to establish public confi- 
dence in times of widespread financial de- 
pression than anything else. Such a course 
has the I'irst National Bank of Danville ever 
followed under the able management of him 
who was so long its president. It has stood 
strong in hours of danger, its integrity un- 
questi(M:ed and its course above suspicion. 
Mr. English is a man of resourceful 
business abilitv, who is not only able to 
realize the opjiortuuities of the luoment but 
has also looked beyond the exigencies of 
the i)resent to the possibilities of the future. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



20I 



His labors have been extended into other 
fields of business activity outside that of 
banking. He has been one of the heaviest 
real estate dealers in this section. He has 
invested largely in farm pniperty and has 
also platted several additions to the city of 
Dan\-ille, Business enterprise augmenting 
the commercial acti\ity and consequent 
prosperity of the city also owe their success- 
ful conduct largely to his wise council. For 
a quarter of a century he has been a membeer 
of the board of directors of the Chicago & 
Eastern Illinois Railroad and an enumera- 
tion of the business affairs with which he 
has been associated would be to give in a 
considerable degree the industrial and com- 
mercial history of his adopted city. 

After a happy married life of twenty 
years Mr. English was called upon to mourn 
the death of his wife in 1864. They had lie- 
come the parents of seven children : George ; 
Charles L., who is now the president of the 
First National Bank of Danville; Harriet, 
who became the wife of William D. Lind- 
sey, who died in July, 1893 ; Irene J., now 
the wife of George W. Partlow, of Danville; 
John T. ; Annie Martha, the deceased wife 
of Talx)r Mathers of Jacksonville; and Ed- 
ward. In 1865 Mr. English was again mar- 
ried, his second union being with Maria L. 
Partlow, with whom he lived for twenty- 
one years, when she died in August, 18S6. 
Their children were J. C. ; and Otis Hardy, 
who died in infancy. On the 14th of June. 
1899, Mr. English was united in marriage 
to Mrs. Mary E. Forbes, a native of Dan- 
ville and a daughter of William Hessey, who 
was an early settler of this county. 

While Mr. English has led a very busy 
life and his commercial and financial affairs 
have made constant demands upon his time 
and attention, he has yet found opportunity 



to faithfully discharge his duties of citizen- 
ship and by his felow townsmen he has twice 
been called to the oflice of chief executive of 
Danville. He proved a most capable mayor, 
his :;dministration being practical and pro- 
gressi\-e. In 1872 he became a member of 
the first board of equalization of this state. 
Fie has always taken a deep interest in po- 
litical affairs, yet has never sought or desired 
political office. On attaining his majority 
he joined the ranks of the Democratic party, 
with which he afiiliated until 1862, when the 
Democratic state convention inserted the 
"peace" plank in its platform and he then 
renounced his allegiance thereto for he be- 
lie\-e(l in the active prosecution of the war 
which was to preserve the Union. He then 
joined the ranks of the Republican party and 
throughout the period of the Rebellion was 
a strong supporter of the Union and an ad- 
vocate of the national administration. In 
1863 he had charge of the suljscription list 
for filling the quota of men for the army 
from Danville and county. 

I'^or forty-six years ^Ir. English has been 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
cijntributing lil)erallv to its support and tak- 
ing an acti\'e part in its work in its various 
departments. He is now serving as a member 
of the board of trustees and for fifteen years 
Ire occupietl the position of superintendent 
of the Sunday-school. In 1872 he was elect- 
ed !)v the lay delegates of the Illinois con- 
ference as a delegate to the general confer- 
ence of the church, which was held in Brook- 
lyn in that year and has served once since 
that time in a similar capacity. For many 
years he was a trustee of the Wesleyan Uni- 
versity of Bloomington. His success has 
come to him through energy, labor and per- 
se\-erance, directed by an evenly balanced 
mind and by honorable business princijiles. 



202 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



From early life he made it his plan to spend 
less than his income. He has made the most 
of his opportunities and could never justly 
be called extravagant unless it was in the 
line of his benevolences. He is not slow to 
condemn injustice and dishonesty nor is he 
slow to reward faithfulness and there is in 
him a deep sympathy and abiding charity 
w^hich has won for him the respect and 
goodwill of his fellow men. He is a man of 
distinctive ability and his character is one 
which is above a shadow of reproach. He 
has been faithful to the high business and 
political offices in which he has been called 
to serve and is widely known and respected 
by those who have been at all familiar with 
his honorable and useful career. 



JOHN C. STEWART, 



D. V. S. 



Dr. John C. Stewart, wh<^ is success- 
fully engaged in the practice of veterinary 
surgery in Danville, was born in Ayrshire, 
Scotland. August 22, 1849, a son of Ouin- 
tin and Margaret (McCrindle) Stewart, 
who were also natives of Ayrshire. The 
father was a highly educated raan. being 
a graduate of the Glasgow University, and 
for some years he was principal of the high 
school at Ochiltree, Scotland, where he died 
in 1898, at the age of eighty-three years, 
honored and respected liy all who knew him. 
The mother of our subject had passed awa>- 
some years previous. They were the par- 
ents of eight children, all of whom arc still 
living in Scotland with tlie exception of our 
subjecc. 

Dr. Stewart grew to manhood in his 
native land and acquired his education in 
the school of which his father had charge. 



and he began his business career as an em- 
ploye in the office of the National Bank of 
Scotland. On leaving home he went tu the 
West Indies with his brother-in-law, John 
Wilson, but in 1873 returned to Scotland 
and in the fall of that year came to Ameri- 
ca. After spending about four years in 
Virginia he went to Indiana, in 1877, and 
became interested in the importation of fine 
horses from Scotland. In 1880 he was ; 
student in the \'etcrinary College of On- 
tario, Canada, and was later engaged in the 
practice of veterinary surgery in Indiana. 
Dr. Stewart removed to Danville, Illinois, 
in the summer of 1886, and here he has 
since made his home with the exception of 
two years spent in Chicago, having been 
appointed by President Harrison as veter- 
inary inspector in the stockyards of that 
city, which position he held for that length 
of time. On his return to Danville he re- 
sumed the practice of his profession and to- 
day has a splendid practice which extends 
far into the country for many miles in every 
direction. 

At Danville. November 11, 1896. Dr. 
Stewart married Miss Ethel Welch. The 
Doctor and his wife have a handsome hom< 
at No. 1 28 North Walnut street and he 
also owns other real estate in Danville, in- 
cluding his office and hospital at No. 17 
the same street. He has met with excellent 
success in the practice of his chosen profes- 
sion and is now serving as assistant state 
veterinary. Socially he is an honored mem- 
ber of Olive Branch Lodge. F. & A. ]\I. ; 
Hesperian Lodge, K. P., of Franklin. In- 
diana; the Order of Ben llnr and the Royal 
Arcanum. He attends the Presbyterian 
church, of which he was a member in the 
old country, and is a stanch supporter of the 
Republican jiarty and its principles. He 




U. R. EADER. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



203 



stands deservedly higli in the esteem of 
his fellow citizens and commands the confi- 
dence and regard of all with whom he 
comes in contact. 



ROY L. MURPHY. 



Roy L. Murphy, the editor and pro- 
prietor of the Fairmount Review, was horn 
at Mahomet. Illinois, July 7, 1870, his par- 
ents being David A. and Asenath Murphy. 
The father was a fanner by occupation and 
was a well known citizen of Champaign 
county. The subject of this re\'iew pur- 
sued his education in the public schools of 
Mahomet, where he was graduated in the 
class of 1896, after which he attended busi- 
ness college at Bloomington. Illinois, for 
two years. In his early youth he entered 
the printing office of his brother, C. W. Mur- 
phy, and finding the profession congenial 
he has since followed it. On the 15th of 
May, 1894, he became an employe in the 
office of the Sucker State Printing Com- 
pany at Mahomet and there learned the 
trade, working until the ist of October. 

1897, with the exception of the periods 
which he spent in school. Later he was 
employed on different papers in Champaign 
and afterward in the same capacity in other 
cities in the state. On the ist of September, 

1898, however, he embarked in a journal- 
isic venture on his own account, purchasing 
the Courier at Ogden, Illinois. He was the 
youngest editor in this part of the state 
at that time, being but nineteen years of 
age. He remained in charge of the Courier 
until the ist of February, 1899, after which 
he was employed in various printing offices 
until the ist of December, following, when 
he purchased the Review at Fairmount, 



where he has since been located. In the 
publication of this paper he has met with 
success, the circulation having increased as 
well as the advertising and job printing 
patronage. The enterprise is now proving 
a profitable one and Mr. Murphy has a well 
equipped office, from which he weekly is- 
sues a paper that is a credit to the town and 
to its owner. In his political affiliations he 
is a Republican and through the columns 
of his journal he advocates the cause of the 
party. 

On the 14th of November, 1899, at Sid- 
ney, Illinois, Mr. Murphy was united in 
marriage to Miss Maude Ethel McNichols, 
a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. W. McNich- 
ols, old and respected citizens of Tolono, 
Illinois, where the former is engaged in the 
drug and grocery business. They now have 
an interesting daughter, Lois Mae, bom 
December 31, 1900. Socially Mr. Murphy 
is connected with the Modern Woodmen of 
America at Fairmount and with the Ameri- 
can Home Circle. 



U. R. EADER. 



\J. R. Fader is a prosperous resident of 
Danville, whose success has practically been 
won since 1894 although the previous years 
of his connection with business affairs 
proved an excellent training school for him, 
enabling him to carry forward to successful 
completion all that he has undertaken since 
he began business on his own account. He 
is now in control of one of the successful 
and important concerns of Danville, being 
engaged in the repair and manufacture of 
bicycles and dealing in guns and sporting 
goods and electrical and gas fixtures, also 
doing work along the lines of electrical con- 
struction. 



204 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Mr. Eader is one of the Wdiiliy citizens 
of Vermilion county that Oliio has fur- 
nished to this locahty. His Ijirth occurred 
in Lima, that state, on the 14th of Jnne, 
1856. his parents being Thomas and Ellen 
(Coons) Eader. both of whi.ini were na- 
tives of Ohio. In the year i860 the family 
came to Illinois. Tlie father purchased land 
in Vermilion county upon which he carried 
on gcnerrd farming until 1871. In that year 
he came to Danville, purchased property 
and was here connected with tlie Danvilk 
Lumber Company for about ten years. He 
then sold his propertv and removetl to No- 
blesville. Indiana, where he purchased prop- 
erty and where he is now engaged in dealing 
in real estate and merchandising. He is 
al.so connected with the furniture and gen- 
eral store at that ])lace and is in partnership 
with his son, David F. Eader, in a similar 
enterprise at Noblesx'illc. Indiana. The 
mother of our subject died at Noblesville, 
Indiana, in 1896, and in 1901 the father 
was again married, i'.y the first union there 
were ten children, of whom the subject of 
this review is tlic eldest. The others yet 
living arc: I). P.: Samuel: Frederick; 
Mrs. Mary Shnmaker: ^Irs. Mirancla 
Mead: .Mrs. Rosa Hanners: and Sar.ah. 

In the schools of Vermilion countv ^Ir. 
Eader of this review pursued his education 
and from the age of eight years he has been 
dependent entirely upon his own resources 
for a living. He worked as a farm hand 
for his father and also for others in the 
neighborhood Init not wishing to make 
agricultural pursuits his life work he even- 
tually turned his attention to other lines 
of industry. In 1871 he became connectefl 
with the Danville Lumber Company and 
learned the machinist's trade. For eighteen 
years his connection with that company 



was continued, during which time he was 
advanced from one position to another as 
he gave evidence of having mastered the 
duties that devolved upon him, and he long 
served as foreman and manager. When 
he entered tiie ser\ice of that company he 
received ninety dollars per year and during 
the eighteen years which he served as fore- 
man he was i)aid four dollars and seventy- 
five cents per day, a fact which stands in 
incontrovertible e\idence of his value to 
the compan}'. In 1895, however, he sev- 
ered his connection with the com])an\- and 
entered lousiness on his own account. He 
at first handled l)icycles onlv and later he 
added sporting goods and estaljlished a re- 
pair department. At the present time the 
wheels which he handles are manufactured 
in his establishment. These arc called "Our 
Own Make" and there are four models. 
The oiUput in 1903 will reacli one thousand 
wheels. He is now employing lu'neteen 
men in the conduct of the liusiness, which 
IS divided into four de])artnients : re]iairing 
and manufacturing, the s])orting goods, the 
gun department and the electrical and gas 
department. He employs an experienced 
electrician and is engaged in electrical con- 
struction and deals in electrical suj^iplies. 
This branch of his business has proved one 
contributing in no small degree to his in- 
come. In fact his enterprise in all its de- 
partments is now paying well and the busi- 
ness amounts to more than twenty-five 
thousand dollars annuallv. Mr. Eader is 
also interested in gold mining in Washing- 
ton, being a stockholder in three mines, in- 
cluding the "Fortune," in which several 
prominent Dan\ille capitalists arc inter- 
ested. 

On the 20th of .Se]itcmber, 1883. in this 
city, Mr. Eader was united in marriage to 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



205 



Miss Lavinia Tanner, of Champaign, Illi- 
nois. Her parents are both deceased. Two 
children ha\e lieen born of this union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Eader : Makel and Horace, 
aged respectively seventeen and nine years. 
The former will graduate in the high school 
of this city in 1903 and is now pvn-suing 
special work in music and elocution. The 
family home is at Xo. 1002 North Walnut 
street and is an attracti\-e residence valued 
at six thousand dollars. Socially Mr. liader 
is connected \\-ith the Modern Woodmen 
of America, with the Tribe of Ben Hur 
and the Court of Honor, and in his pnlitical 
affiliations is a Republican. His splendid 
success in business has been achieved since 
1894. When he first opened his bicycle 
business he had no capital, Init he iiossessed 
an untarnished name and good credit. The 
growth of his business demanded larger 
quarters in the second year and has since 
annually increased in viilume and import- 
ance. A man of much natural aljility his 
success during the past nine years has heev 
uniform and rapid. As has l^een truly re- 
marked, after all that can he done for a 
man in the way of giving him early oppor- 
tunities for obtaining the requirements 
which are sought in schools and in book? 
he luust essentially formulate, determine 
and give shape to his own character and 
this is what Mr. Eader has done. He has 
persevered in the pursuit of a persistent 
purpose and has gained a most satisfactory 

reward. 

* « » 

ORIN L. McCORD. 

Orin L. McCord, who is well known as 
a representative of mercantile affairs in 
Danville, is now filling the position of coun- 



ty treasurer and is a worthy custodian of the 
public funds. With business dispatch he 
discharges the duties of the position and 
his integrity and honor are above question. 

Mr. McCord is a native son of Illinois, 
his birth having occurred in Putnam coun- 
ty, on the 6th of April, 1863, He is a son 
of Ninon A. and Susan (Child) ^NlcCord. 
The father died at the age of fifty-eight 
years, but the mother still sur\-i\'es and is 
now living at East Lynn, Vermilion county. 
Ninon A. McCord was a native of Bond 
county, Illinois, and in 1875 removed to 
this county, settling in Butler town.ship, 
where he followed farming throughout his 
remaining days, being recognized as one 
of the progressi\-e agriculturists of his com- 
munity. Unto him and his wife were bi.irn 
five children, all of whom are yet li\-ing in 
Vermilion county. These are: Orin L., 
Wilmot J., Warren C, Charles C. and 
Frank P. 

In taking up the personal history of 
Orin L. McCord we present to our readers 
the life record of one who is widely known 
in Vermilion county for he was brought 
here by his parents when only twel\-c years 
of age. He pursued his education in the 
public schools of East Lynn and during the 
months of summer, when school was not 
in session, he became familiar with the work 
of field and meadow, assisting in the labors 
of the home farm until he had attained 
his majority. He then entered upon his 
business career and not desiring to follow 
the pursuit to which he had been reared, 
he sought and obtained a clerkship in the 
employ of B. M. Ludden & Company of 
East Lynn, remaining in that employ from 
1874 until 1878. In the latter year he re- 
moved to Georgetown, Vermilion countv, 
where he liegan business on his own account 



2o6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



as proprietor of a grocery and restaurant, 
wliicli he conducted for three years. At tliat 
time Mr. McCord came to Danville and was 
employed as a salesman in the clothing 
house of Mike Plant & Company, with 
whom he remained continuously until 1902. 
His long connection with the house plainly 
indicates his fidelity to duty, his close ap- 
plication and his unfaltering honesty in 
Inisiness matters. On the Stii of February, 
1902, he received the nomination for the 
office of treasurer of Vermilion county, be- 
ing given a majority of thirteen hundred 
and se\enty-seven, which was the largest 
ever bestowed upon a Republican candidate 
for the office of treasurer of \^ermilion 
county. 

On the 15th of December, 1888, Mr. 
McCord was united in marriage to Miss 
Ella M. Barnes of Hoopeston, Illinois, and 
their union has been blessed with three 
interesting children, namely: Stella L., 
Edwin .\. and Clarence .\. The name of 
Mr. ]\IcCord is on the membership rolls of 
Damascas Lodge. K. P. ; the Odd Fellows 
Lodge No. 69; Northcott Camp, M. W. 
A.: and of the Royal Neighbors, and of all 
of these he is a valued representative, be- 
cause of liis pleasing personal character- 
istics, his strict adherence to the teachings 
and principles of the orders. Both he and 
his wife are members of the Rebecca de- 
gree of Odd I'ellowship and of the Court 
of Honor, and he was formerly president of 
the retail clerks' union. He is now inter- 
ested in the lireeding of thoroughbred poul- 
try, making a specialty of Bufif Cochins, 
and is an expert judge of poultry, being at 
the present time secretary of the Illinois 
State Poultry Association, His life has 
been one of continuous activity, in which 
has been accorded due recognition of labor; 



and to-day he is numl)ered among the sub- 
stantial citizens of his county. His inter- 
ests are thoroughl}' identified with those of 
the west, and at all times he is reach- 
to lend his aid and co-operation to any 
movement calculated to benefit this section 
of the country or advance its wonderful 
development. 



J. STEELE CATHERWOOD. 

James Steele Catherwood, a well known 
broker and real estate dealer of Hoopeston, 
was born in Belmont county, Ohio, April 
12, 1845, a son of James and Lydia (Tus- 
sey) Catherwood. The father was a native 
of Ireland and the mother of the state of 
Delaware. During his boyhood days the 
former came to the L'nited States and here 
learned the trade of a weaver. Later he and 
his wife's brother operated a cotton factory. 
In his early married days he removed from 
the east to Belmont county, Ohio, where 
he .engaged in merchandising, while later he 
turned his attention to farming. His death 
(Kcurred in Guernsey couny, Ohio, in 1854, 
when the subject of this review was only nine 
years old and in 1857 his widow removed 
to Shelby county and afterward to Christian 
county, Illinois, where she died at the very 
adxanced age of ninety-four years. She was 
the mother of ten children, of whom J. S. 
was the youngest son, but he had a younger 
sister. 

^Ir. Catherwood of this review acqtiired 
his education in the schools of Ohio and of 
Christian county, Illinois. His early oppor- 
tunities in that direction, however, were 
limited and his knowledge has largely been 
obtained since he reached his majorit)-. In 
April, 1864, Mr. Catherwood enlisted for 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL :rECORD 



207 



service in the Union army as a member of 
Company E, One Hundred and Forty-fifth 
Illinois Infantry, with wliich he served for 
six months, spending most of that time in 
Missouri in guarding commissaries. After 
his return he worked upon a farm for two 
years and in the winter of 1866 he again 
attended school. He then went to Decatur, 
Illinois, and continued his studies in the 
vicinity of that city. Subsequently he be- 
came a student in the Concordsville Acad- 
emv at Concords\'ille, Pennsylvania, where 
he remained for a year. He next entered 
the general store of his brother in Old Ston- 
ington. Christian county, Illinois, where he 
received his first business training, but as 
there were indications of failing health he 
went to Saline county, Kansas, which was 
then considered the "far west." This was 
in 1869 and for five years he remained upon 
the plains herding cattle. He owned a ranch 
and herd of his own and for two years he 
was located in Saline countv. for one year 
in McPherson county and for two years in 
Ellsworth county, meeting with a fair de- 
gree of success until the country became in- 
volved in the financial panic of 1873-4. 

Mr. Catherwood then returned to In- 
dianapolis, Indiana, and entered the employ 
of his brother as a traveling salesman. He 
covered the territories of Illinois, Indiana 
and Ohio and for three years was upon the 
road. On the expiration of that period he 
began merchandising on his own account at 
Fairfield, a little country crossroad town, 
being associated with L. L. Bennett under the 
firm name of L. L. Bennett & Company. 
Thev carried groceries, drugs, boots and 
shoes and dry goods. 

It was in that year, on the 27tli of De- 
cember, 1877, that Mr. Catherwood was 
united in marriac-e to ]\Iiss Marv Hart well, 



who later became distinguished as an au- 
thoress of marked ability. She is repre- 
sented on another page of this work. The 
marriage took place at the home of his 
brother, A. T. Catherwood, west of Hoopes- 
ton. For a time our subject and iiis bride 
lived in some rooms above his store, spend- 
ing about two years there. Mr. Catherwood 
then sold out to his partner and went to In- 
dianapolis, where he was engaged in the gro- 
cery business until October, 1882. He then 
again sold out and came to Hoopeston. 
Here he entered the employ of his brother, 
A. T. Catherwood, as a bookkeeper, a rela- 
tion that was maintained until April, 1885, 
when James Steele Catherwood was ap- 
pointed postmaster at Hoopeston by Grover 
Cleveland, succeeding Dale Wallace, who is 
now his partner. ]\Ir. Catherwood occupied 
that position until July, 1889, when he was 
succeeded by Charles W. W^arner. While 
acting as postmaster he formed a partnership 
with Charles A. Allen in the loan, insurance 
and collecting business and tog'ether they 
continued operations until May, 1890, cov- 
ering a period of four years. When this 
partnership was dissolved Mr. Catherwood 
entered into partnership relations with Dale 
^^^allace and they have since been thus con- 
nected. The firm does a general insurance, 
loan and land brokerage business. They 
have disposed of a number of additions to 
Hoopeston and have done the leading real 
estate business of the town for the past 
twelve years. To-day their real estate in 
this city is valuable. In February, 1888, the 
North Vermilion Loan & Savings Associa- 
tion was formed and Mr. Catherwood was 
chosen its secretary, in which position he has 
served continuously since, covering a period 
of fi.fteen consecuti\e years. He and his wife 
owned a farm of four hundred acres in Iro- 



208 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



quois county and one liiindred and sixty 
acres of land in (irant tnwiisliip. X'evniilinn 
county. 

Unto yir. and Mr.s. Catherwood were 
bom two children, a son, who died in in- 
fancy, and Hazel, who is now an art student 
in Chicago. Mrs. Catherwood died Decem- 
ber 26. 1902, and was laid to rest in Moral 
Hill cemetery. Vov twenty-one years James 
Steele Catherwood has been a resident of 
Hoojieston and gradually be has advanced 
to a prominent position in business circles. 



]\IRS. M.\RV 



llARTWELL CATHER- 
WOOD. 



Beauty is nature's language. It tinds ex- 
pression in earth and sky. in the tcjwering 
mountain, the 1)oundless prairies, the ever- 
changing sea or the tiny flower which grows 
in crannied wall, and above all in the char- 
acter de\'clopment ni man, when the soul 
s]jeaks through its environment in an ex- 
pression of eternal ])rincip!es. Well may 
art be accorded the highest place among the 
works of man when it reproduces in any 
form this language of nature, whether ui)on 
the canvas, in ihe marble or through the pen 
pictures which perhaps more clearly than 
any other art forms perpetuate the good and 
the beautiful. The world's debt of gratitude 
can never be ]5aid to those great souls who 
in story and song have presented with great 
clearness the beauty of life in its personifi- 
cation of our highest ideals, giving us an in- 
spiration for good which is as the "echoes 
tlKit roll from smi! u> soul, and grow for- 
ever and forever." .\ brave-hearted girl, 
whose beauty and purity of soul blossomed 
into the highest type of womanhood, Mary 
Hartwell Catherwood left {n tlic wiirld a 



rich legacy in her literary productions and 
Hoopeston, wiiich for some years claimed 
her as a resident, will ever honor and vher- 
ish her memory. She was born in Luray, 
Ohio, December 16, 1847, '^^'^ in 1856 ac- 
companied her parents to Alilford, Illinois. 
Perhaps her life story has been best told in 
the words of Dale Wallace, who read the 
following sketch at a ban(|uet of the Mary 
Hartwell Catherwood Clul) of Hoopeston, 
on which occasion Airs. Catherwood was 
present. He said : 

"Dr. Hartwell was an ambitious young 
man. He was of Scotch-Irish ancestry and 
possessed the fine intellect and hartly phys- 
ique of the rugged pioneers of the west. 
Married quite young, e\en before he fin- 
ished his course in c(jllege, he and his still 
younger wife and the baliies migrated from 
the red hills of Ohio to the black loam of Illi- 
nois, locating in the old village of Mil ford 
and living in the little brick house about a 
block north of the old mill. Here he prac- 
ticed his profession and gave the children the 
benefits of the limited school facilities then 
in vogue. There was much malaria and 
fevers unlimited in those early days and the 
yt lung doctor was overworked. Then he was 
himself stricken with the prevailing mal- 
ady, and after a brave struggle, passed be- 
yiind. During the year following, the 
youngest child of the family — Marcus — 
was bom. I'ut the mother, so wholly de- 
])cndent upun the strong arm and directing 
intellect of her husband, seeing nothing 
ahead but discouragement and possible des- 
titution, grieved herself into the grave a 
year later, leaving three helpless bairns de- 
uendent upon the generosity of friends. 

"Poverty develops genius. Wealth be- 
gets indolence. Show me the child born 
with a sih'er spoon in the mouth and I will 
shiiw vou a creature of ease, and laxiiv and 








'""'^^^^ Q^^^T^^^::^ 



^ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



211 



languor. There are ie\y exceptions to this 
rule. Ambition is deadened and energy- is 
not required. If Hilary Hartwell's father 
had left her in an independent financial con- 
dition, the world might have been deprived 
of her splendid genius. 

"At ten she was given a home and taken 
in charge by her grandfather Thompson at 
New Hebron, Ohio, and placed in the vil- 
lage schools. At f(jurteen she was teach- 
ing, being thrown upon her own resources 
to obtain proper clothing and to prepare the 
way for entrance into the female college at 
Granville, Ohio, where she completed a four 
}'ears" course in three years. She retired 
from that institution eiglit hundred dollars 
in debt. Her uncle. Cyrus Hartwell, hear- 
ing of this,' agreed that if she would pay the 
deljt in four years by her own efforts, he 
would make her a present of five hundred 
dollars. She did it — so did he. 

"While still a little girl in pinafores and 
pigtails down her back, she contributed 
poems to the local papers of New Hebron. 
She loved the wild and weird in nature and 
often roamed in the woods alone to dream. 
Like Joan d" Arc, she would hear \-oices and 
songs and rippling laughter and the \erses 
would come to her without elTort. An eld- 
erly gentleman of rare perception, remarked 
that while her poems were very beautiful, 
her field lay in prose story telling, and ad- 
^•ise(l her to try it. Then she began 'seeing 
things' as Riley says. The ambitious im- 
planted in her being by the elder Hartwell 
took entire possession of her and the future 
unrolled before her. She foreshadowed her 
destiny. She believed her career had been 
unveiled. If \-igor anil \-im, tireless energy, 
unceasing perseverance, economy and pri- 
vations would enaljle her to win. the in- 
domitable determination had her within its 
grasp, and she started on the voyage de- 



termined to never cease until she had reached 
the goal. Did she win, my friends? Did 
the little homeless orphan, who mastered a 
four years" course in college in three years 
by working nights, Saturdays and holidays 
— did she win? I say to you that Mary 
Hartwell Catherwood's name will be em- 
blazoned in glittering gold on the scroll of 
fame long after you and I are dead and for- 
gotten. 

"She wrote a short serial for Frank Les- 
lie — 'The Mill-Scott ^Million', and received 
her first check. Oh, the joy of that first 
check ! The happiness wrapped up in that 
first commercial recognition of her brain 
work was far and away beyond the size of 
the check. The new ribbon it would buy, 
and gowns, and brooches, and the manv lit- 
tle gim-cracks and furbelows that girls love 
to wear. She was saved. The die was cast. 
She journeyed out into the woods to hold 
sweet communion with her very own self, 
and to tell the good news to the birds, the 
trees, and the flowers and to the voices in the 
air, and the spirits of her departed parents. 
And she dreamed of the dav when ]\lary 
Hartwell would have a whole library of 
books all of her own composition. \Vasn"t 
that a ray of sunshine through the rift in 
the clouds that had hovered over her from 
the day of her mother's death? Then she 
began contributing to the lesser magazines 
— I.ippincott, Wide Awake, Golden Hours, 
Wood's Household, Youth's Companion — 
all short stories. _ The W^ide .\wake Com- 
]3any published four of her jux'eniles- that 
met with immediate popidarity and have 
since become classics. Then she was re- 
quested to contribute to a magazine called 
'Outing'. She demanded a deposit of 
twenty-five dollars in ad\-ance. which was 
cheerfully complied with. She forwarded 
the story and in due course it was returned. 



212 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



scratclied, interlined and oi)literated, witli a 
request to make some alterations. The de- 
mand was unjust and she knew it. liut her 
carefully prepared manuscript was practi- 
cally ruined. She refused to comply with 
their demand and also retained the retainer, 
wliich was entirely satisfactorj- to the pub- 
lishers. Some time later they requested her 
to submit them another, and this one, prov- 
ing exactly, in harmony with their ideas 
thev accepted and remitted promptly, but de- 
ducted the twenty-five dollars which they 
had advanced on the other article. Then 
there was an earthcjuake. But it was not 
destructive. 

"As Mrs. Catherwood is present this 
evening I feel perfectly safe in announcing 
that she was born in 18 — 47. Thirty years 
later she was married in the house on the 
Perkins farm, northwest of this city. Then 
a few A-ears later came her baby boy, who 
remained t() bless the unimi Imt a moment, 
then passed on to the higher life. It was 
during this period of .sorrow following that 
she conceived 'The Romance of Dollard,' in 
the preparation of which she lived for a time 
in Canada, and was about three years in gel- 
ting it readv for the publishers. I doubt if 
there is a person in this audience who knows 
that the publishers to whom she first sub- 
mitted that beautiful historical romance de- 
clined it, luit such is the fact. Harpers re- 
turned it. It was then for the first time that 
Mrs. Catherwood faltered by the wayside. 
Her heart was cracking and breaking up into 
bits, and she was thoroughly discouraged. 
And it was here that her husband came in 
with one of his beautiful songs: 'Never 
Give Up the Shi]), Mary.' and said 'Go down 
to New York and beard the lion in his den," 
and in a few days she was in the office of the 
Century, proud, indei)endent and defiant, but 
quaking inwardly. She submitted the work 



to Mr. Gilder, the editor, who inquired as 
to the nature of it. 'It is a serial — an his- 
torical romance.' 'M}' dear madam,' ex- 
clamied the kind old man, 'don't you know 
that we can't use that class of work here in 
New '^'ork?' She arose, and there was the 
siuell of burning tow somewhere about the 
premises. 'Mr. Gilder, will you do me the 
lavor of reading that manuscript?' 'I will 
send, it out to our regular reader and wdien 
it is returned then 1 will read it. But there 
is just as nuich chance of your being struck 
by lightning as there is of our acceptance of 
your work and publication as you desire it. 
.\s it will be several days before we can give 
\du a reply, you need not be to the trouble 
an<l expense of remaining in New York. 
Leave me your address and I will write you.' 

"Richard Watson Gilder had been up 
against propositions of various kinds in his 
long experience in the publishing business, 
but he did not know ^Irs. Catherwood. 

■' 'I will remain in New York, IMr. Gilder, 
until you accept or reject that work.' 

".\ few days later Mr. Gilder notified 
Mrs. Catherwood that lightning had 
struck, to call at the office and get her check. 

"Hiat publication elevated her into a 
cons])icuous position among the literary peo- 
ple of the United States, and the demand 
upon her pen from all the leading publish- 
ing houses was so great .she was unable to 
onl\- ]):irtially meet it. She was called the 
Parkman of the west and as Francis Park- 
n^'an was the most famous historical writer 
and romancer of the past generation, no 
greater compliment could have been be- 
stowed upon her. She received a personal 
letter of congratulation from that eminent 



man, cmup 



liinentinsr her accuracv of detail 



and Correctness of data, and expressing a 
wish to make her acquaintance. 'It is so 
rare' he remarked, 'in our latter dav his- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



213 



torical romances to find the historical facts 
so accurately portrayed". This was one of 
Mrs. Catherwood's most conspicuous char- 
acteristics. Her descriptions are perfect 
and from nature. Her facts are derived 
from personal observation and contact. Her 
characters, with few exceptions, are real. 
We all love history and when we can have it 
interspersed with facinating romance we 
love it all the more. She loved to visit the 
ruins of the forgotten past and live over 
again in her imagination the tragedies and 
comedies enacted there. If there was an old 
hermit to be found in the vicinity — Indian, 
Frenchman, Englishman or American — she 
would spend hours with him, pulling his- 
torical chestnuts out of the coals with the 
tongs of his retentive memory. And thus 
she broadened into the field which she has 
occupied for two decades without a success- 
ful rival. 

"Seventeen years ago this night, Mrs. 
President, the subject of this sketch was 
blessed by the arrival of a daughter, and 
Hazel has indeed proven a blessed comfort 
to her mother. We are celebrating the an- 
niversary of that happy event. Cheerful- 
ness, ambition, energy, determination, all 
came rushing back to her upon the advent of 
the little sunbeam. And tlien followed in 
due course some of the most remarkable pro- 
ductions of historical remance in the whole 
scope and range of American literature. 

"Did you know that ]\Irs. Catherwood 
in her earlier career contributed columns and 
columns of stories to various publications 
under a nom de plume? Do any of you re- 
member reading short fiction sketches writ- 
ten by one 'Lewtrah?' the name Hartwell 
spelled backward? Did you ever read the 
novel 'A Woman in Armor?' ^Irs. Cather- 
wood is not at all proud of that work. But 
from Tontv to Lazarre, the record is with- 



out a blemish. Lazarre is the last and great- 
est and brightest of the whole galaxy. It is 
the climax of her career. She may write an- 
other as good, but none better. 

"Those of us who knew her best will re- 
member her not only for her literary attain- 
ments, but also for her home accomplish- 
ments. As a wife, as a mother, as a neigh- 
bor, she was an exemplary character. There 
was no envy there, no jealousies, no bick- 
erings. Because of her great renown as a 
gifted author, we feel honored to have been 
classed among her intimate friends. And 
our babies a few years ago, who were her 
■Rosebuds' in the Sunday-school will some 
day be proud of that distinction. 

"It reciuired a struggle for Mary Hart- 
well Catherwood to give up her home and 
sever the friendly ties of this city. She was 
married here, her children were bom here, 
and her little boy sleeps in Floral Hill. She 
loved the people, she loved the town, she 
loved the country. But she in early life 
mapped out her career, and she felt that she 
had not vet reached the zenith, and could not 
with the limited resources at her demand. 
So she resol\-ed, very reluctantly, to leave 
us for a time and climb the heights of fame. 
She is almost at the top, and when she 
reaches the summit she will come back to us 
and when she conies we will all extend to 
her the glad hand and cordial greeting of 
true friends. 



"In all my wanderings around this world of care, 
In all my griefs — and God has given my share — 
I still have hopes my latest hours to crown, 
Amidst these humble bow'rs to lay me down ; 
To husband out lifes taper at the close. 
And keep the flame from wasting, by repose. 
I still have hopes, for pride attends us still. 
Amidst the friends to show my book-karn'd skill ; 
Around my fire an evening group to draw. 
And tell of all I felt, and all I saw ; 
And, as a hare, whom hound and horns pursue. 
Pants to the place from whence at first she flew, 
I still have hopes, my long vexations past,^ 
Here to return — and died at home at last." 



214 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Tlie little maiden reared in a liack- 
woixls district had attained natidual fame, 
hnt more than that she hail wnn l()\-e in 
countless homes tliroughout the country. 
Her friends were among the most distin- 
guished literary people of the country, drawn 
to her hy the kindest sjjirit of genius and 
congeniality, and when she passed away in 
Chicago, December 26, 1902, the news of 
her demise was received as that of a dear 
friend l>y thousands throughout the United 
States. James W'hitcomb Riley had the 
highest appreciation for her work and said 
that her death to his mind was a distinct loss 
to the fraternity of letters. He spoke of her 
as being conspicuous for her industry, sin- 
cerity and conscience. He sent his floral 
tribute when death called her as did the 
Bowen-Merrill Publishing Company of In- 
dianapolis, Otis Skinner, who is now play- 
ing the dramatization of her Lazarre, and 
many others of note, together with countless 
friends fron: her home town. Her life work 
is ended, but Mary Hartwell Catherwood 
has joined "that choir inx'isil.ile who live 
again in lives made better by their presence." 



THOMAS I-IUGHES. 

Thomas Hughes is a well known and 
prosperous farmer residing on section 15, 
\^ance township, \'ermilion county, Illinois. 
In his life he exemplified the typical "self- 
made man," for all that he h;is ac(|uireil has 
been secured through his own industrious 
efforts. He was born in Westmoreland 
county, Pennsylvania. February 28, 1831, 
and is a son of John and f.ydia (Musick) 
Hughes, both natives of I'enn.sylvania, where 
they were reared and married. The father 
engaged in coal mining and followed that oc- 



cupation for twenty-fi\e years. In 1856 they 
remo\ed to Indiana, and in 1866 came to 
\'ance township. X'ermilicm county. Illinois, 
making their home with the subject of this 
review who had come to V'ermilion county 
in 1864. John Hughes was a member of the 
iMiglish Lutheran churcli and his wife was 
for many years a member of the Ger- 
man Lutheran church. He was a Democrat 
in his political views but always declined 
to accept olYice. The father died in 1871, and 
the mother, surviving him for seven years, 
passed away in 187S. In their family were 
ten cliildren, nine of whom grew to years of 
maturity and four are still living, name- 
ly: John, who is a resident of Concordia, 
Kansas ; Thomas, of this review ; Mary, the 
wife (if James A. Burk. who lives at Bement, 
Illinois, and is a brother of the wife of our 
suliject ; and Lydia, who resides in Fair- 
mount. Illinois. 

Thomas Hughes had but limited edu- 
cational privileges. He was only able to at- 
tenil school for three months, which was all 
the schooling he ever recei\ed. This was 
a subscription school, conducted in a small 
frame schoolhouse in Ramsay Grove. His 
father was not a man of means, and luwing 
a large family of children he could not pro- 
vide them with the educational ad\-antages 
he would have liked. When the subject of 
this review was only ten years of age his fa- 
ther put him out to work, where he received 
his board and clothes until he was fourteen 
\-cars of age. He then obtained emi)loyment 
as a farm li;uid at two dollars i)er month and 
board. After this his salary was increased 
to three dollars and four dollars per month 
respectively, until he was seventeen years of 
age. Ilis father considered th.'it he was 
rather extravagant in the way he sjient his 
"large salary" of four dollars per month. 
Accordingly he hired him out to a farmer 




THOMAS HUGHES. 




MRS. THOMAS HUGHES. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



219 



for thirty dollars for six months' service or 
fi\-e dollars per month, and of this the father 
received one-half. Mr. Hughes worked 
hard, doing his full share of the work, 
swinging a cradle side hy side with full 
grown men and working in the harvest field 
all day long. Later he concluded to change 
his occupation and learn a trade, becoming- 
apprenticed to a carpenter, but when work- 
ing on the tall buildings he became dizzy and 
gave up that occupation. He then worked 
with his father in the coal mines during one 
winter anil in tlie spring became apprenticed 
to a blacksmith, with whom he made a con- 
tract to work for three and one-half years, 
and in compensation for his services he was 
to receive his board and clothing and at the 
end of the time he was to receive a suit of 
clothes besides three months' schooling. He 
labored hard in this position for three years, 
often working until twelve o'clock at night, 
shoeing horses and performing other duties. 
During that time he did not receive one dol- 
lar, scarcely presentable clothing and his 
board. He then worked for three months 
for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, 
after which he returned to his former em- 
ployer, working for him for six months and 
recei\-ing a salary of eleven dollars per 
month. He next entered the employ of con- 
tractors who were constructing a large dam. 
He made the iron work for this and received 
eighteen dollars per month for his services. 
This was the heaviest kind of labor. 

On the nth of November. 1852, in 
\\'estmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Mr. 
Hughes was united in marriage to Miss 
Martha J. Sanders, who was born May 16, 
1837, and died March 17, 1858. She was a 
daughter of Abraham and Mary (Robin- 
son) Sanders, who were married in Penn- 
sylvania, where they spent the remainder of 



politics was a Democrat. Mrs. Hughes was 
tine of a family of eight children, four of 
whom are still li\'ing, as follows : John, 
Sallie, Charity, the wife of William Irvin, 
:\m\ Mrs. Wilson, all residents of \\'estmore- 
land county, Pennsylvania. Lnto Mr. 
Hughes and his wife were born two chil- 
dren : John, born December 27, 1853, mar- 
ried Mary Jester, February 8, 1881, and 
died in October, 1899. Plis widow is now 
living in Catlin township, \'ermilion county, 
with their only child. Pearl. James, born 
December 18, 1856, was married Novem- 
ber 12, 1884, to Miss Effie Rice, and they 
have one child. Earl. He is a painter by 
trade and they make their home in Danville. 

.\fter his marriage Mr. Hughes removed 
to a small town in Pennsylvania, near where 
there were some extensive coal mines. Here 
he opened up a shop and began housekeep- 
ing in a miner's shanty. He had not a dol- 
lar in the world but he possessed energy and 
determination and with the assistance of a 
friend he was enabled to buy his tools and 
furnish his home, going in debt to the ex- 
tent of two hundred dollars. Within a year 
he paid off this intlebtedness besides earning 
his li\ing, and at the end of three years he 
had cleared five hundred dollars. He then 
removed to Parke county, Indiana, and 
opened a similar shop for himself. There he 
remained for nine years, during which time 
he was called upon to mourn the loss of his 
wife, whose death occurred March 17, 1858. 

On the 14th of August, 1859, Mr. 
Hughes was again married, the lady of his 
choice being Miss Nancy Y. Burks, the wed- 
ding taking place in Parke county, Indiana. 
She was born March 16, 1830, in that state 
and is a daughter of Moses and Louisa (Van 
Cleve) Burks, both of whom were natives 
of Kentucky. The father was born October 
their lives. Her father was a laborer and in 17. 1802, and died February 21. 1878. The 



220 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



mother's birtli occurred December 13, 1802, 
and she died about 1S96. This couple were 
married in Kentucky in 1825. Mr. Burks 
was a farmer by occupation and removed to 
Parke county, IncHana, in the '30s. There he 
entered land antl lived until his death. He 
was a member and an officer of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church and in politics was a 
Republican. He was the father of eleven 
children, four of whom are yet living: 
James A., a resident of Bement, Illinois; 
Nancy, the wife of our subject; Louisa J., 
the widow of Alex Breckenridge and a resi- 
dent of Putnam county, Indiana, and Moses 
R., of Parke county, Indiana. 

By his second marriage INIr. Hughes has 
six children. George, born March 11, 1861, 
was married December 30, 1886, to Dora 
Parish. They have two children, Charles 
A. and Cora, and reside in Vance township 
on the old homestead farm. William B., 
born July 22, 1863, was married February 
18, 1890, to Fanny Garners, and also re- 
sides on the old home farm. He is traveling 
representative of the Modern Woodmen. 
Mary L., born July 24, 1868, died Novem- 
ber I, 1869. Charles M., born September 
13, 1866, died June 18, 1894. An infant 
boy was born and died on the "th day of 
March, 1865. An infant daughter was born 
and died on the 22l\ of June, 1870. Mrs. 
Hughes also has a daughter by her first mar- 
riage, Margery A., who was born .\pril 29, 
184S, and was married December 24, 1874, 
to Robert McNott. She died June 3, 1896, 
and was the mother of six children, two of 
w hi 1111, IJarry and Nellie, are still living. 

In July, 1862, Mr. Hughes enlisted for 
si.xty da}'s' service in the L'ni(_)n army, join- 
ing Com])any D of the Seventy-eighth Vol- 
unteer Infantry. He took part in the battle 
of Uniontown, Kentucky, and was stationed 
on the Ixjrder line between Kentucky and In- 



diana. He and his company were captured 
by the Rebels, but they were soon paroled. 
His service embraced forty-five days. 

In 1864, Mr. Hughes brought his family 
to \'ermilion county, Illinois, where he pur- 
chased eighty acres of land at eight dollars 
per acre. This was prairie land, unim- 
proved and wild. But few settlers were in 
the county at the time and wild game was 
plentiful, including prairie-chickens, geese, 
dticks and deer. The prairie wolves were 
also numerous and often howled at niglrt 
near the pioneer home. Fairmount was then 
a town consisting of one-half dozen houses 
and three stores. Air. Hughes erected a 
comfortable frame house of three rooms — 
the finest and largest in the vicinity, in 1864. 
In 1865 he purchased an additional eighty 
acres adjoining bis original purchase, at fif- 
teen dollars per acre, giving his note in se- 
curity for payment. This land he cultivated 
and imi)ro\ed, making additional purchases 
as the years passed and he accumulated the 
capital, until he is now the owner of two 
hundred and ninety acres in Vance and Cat- 
lin townships. His residence stands on sec- 
tion 15, Vance township. His home is com- 
modious, pleasant and attractive in appear- 
ance, and he has on his place large and sub- 
stantial barns and all necessary buildings. 
He also owns city property in Marshall, 
Illiiujis. Mr. Hughes is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church of Jamaica, be- 
ing a trustee, steward and district steward in 
the same. He is a prominent Republican 
and has been associated wilii the party since 
1856, the year of its organization. Before 
that he was a \\'hig. He has held some of 
tlie offices in his township. .\ man of genial 
manner, a delightful companion and a true 
friend, he has won the esteem and regard of 
all with w horn he has been associated. The 
sterling characteristics which he possesses 



THE BIOGRAPklCAL RECORD 



221 



have won for him success and prominence 
and he is justly accounted one of the sub- 
stantial and wealthy men of Vermilion 
county. 



ALBERT G. OLMSTED. 

Albert G. Olmsted, whose connection 
with pioneer interests in Vermilion county 
has made his life record a part of the his- 
tory of this section of the state, was born 
October 14, 1831, in the vicinity of James- 
town, Chautauqua county. New York. He 
is descended from Puritan ancestry, his 
forefathers having been numbered among 
the early residents of New England. Later 
generations of the family became pioneers 
of Vermilion county, Illinois, the grand- 
parents and parents of our subject spend- 
ing much of their lives here. The Olmsted 
family purchased a ISIexiean land warrant 
in the early days for one hundred and twen- 
ty-five dollars, and for this amount secured 
one hundred and sixty acres of unbroken 
land, which, however, they never improved. 
Later owing to the rise in land values they 
sold it for one thousand dollars. George 
and Hannah (Roberts) Olmsted. the 
grandparents of our subject, were natives 
of New England, and in 1839 they emi- 
grated from their Ohio home to Illinois, 
with the father of our subject, the grand- 
father dying in this county two years later. 
His widow did not long survive him, pass- 
ing away in September, 1843. Their son, 
Stanley Olmsted, the father of our subject, 
was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and 
was reared amid the wild scenes of pioneer 
life both in the Buckeye state and in the 
Prairie state. After reaching years of ma- 
turity he wedded Almira Green, a native 

10 



of Vermont and they began their domestic 
life upon a farm near Jamestown, Chau- 
tauqua county. New York, where his father 
carried on agricultural pursuits for several 
years, developing a farm in the midst of 
the primeval forest in that section of the 
country. He subsepuently removetl from 
there with his family to Marietta, Wash- 
ington county, Ohio, but when five years 
had passed he again started upon his west- 
ward way and in 1839 came to Vermilion, 
county, making the journey down the Ohio 
river and up the Wabash river to Perrys- 
ville, whence he went to what is now known 
as Batestown. He settled in that vicinity 
among the pioneers of a new district. For 
some time he operated what was known as 
the Olmsted sawmill and in addition to 
manufacturing lumber he engaged in build- 
ing flatboats. That was the only mill where 
such boats were built and he turned out 
more than any other man in this section of 
the country. He became prominent and in- 
fluential in public affairs and was a member 
of the Masonic fraternity. His death, 
which occurred in 1S48, robbed the com- 
munity of a valued citizen. When ten 
years had passed his widow became the wife 
of Thomas W. Douglass. She has lived 
an earnest Christian life, being a devout 
member of the Presbyterian church. 

Of the ten children born unto Stanley 
Olmsted and his wife, Albert G. Olmsted 
was the second in order of birth. He was 
but eight years of age at the time of the 
emigration of "the family to Vermilion 
county and he pursued his education in a 
log schoolhouse, furnished with slab 
benches and an immense fire place. An 
entire log would be hauled into the school- 
room and laid across the fire and as the 
middle portion was l)urned it was pushed 



222 



THE BIOGRAPHiCAL RECORD 



over into the embers until it was entirely 
consumed. The greater part of his boy- 
hood was passed in Danville and Catlin 
townships. He can remember how in his 
early days, before the introtluction of 
matches, fires were started by striking flint 
together until the sparks ignited tow which 
was furnished for that purpose, and often 
when these necessaries were not to be had 
the neig-hbors would jjorrow from each 
other. All cooking was done in the old 
fire place, pots and kettles hanging from 
the crane while the baking was done in a 
skillet placed among the coals. The young 
girls went barefooted to and from church 
ser\ices, only wearing their shoes during 
the time of meeting, thus practicing econo- 
my, which was an important element in 
that pioneer period. On one occasion Mr. 
Olmsted drove an ox-cart to church, his 
grandmother and mother riding in the cart 
wiiile he walked beside it with pants rolled 
up to keep out of the dirt of the road. Cam]' 
meetings were frequently held in the for- 
ests, candles being fastened to the bushes to 
provide light. Mr. Olmsted was about sev- 
enteep years of age when his father died. 
He never lived in anything but a log house 
until the second summer after his marriage. 
After his father's death the support of the 
family largely devolved upon him. He 
rented land and began farming, his first 
plow having a wooden mold board. To 
cultivate grain he used a single shovel plow 
and single rope line, leather harness being 
nut then in general use. He cut grain with 
a cradle and when he was plowing the lady 
who became his wife, then a maiden of six- 
teen years, dropped corn for him in the fur- 
rows, never thinking then of the marriage 
which was afterward to take place. Mr. 
Olmsted has seen manv changes made in 



the machinery and farm implements and 
has always kept in touch with the general 
progress. 

On the 22d of July, 1855. was celebrated 
the marriage of .Albert (i. Olmsted and 
Elizabeth iVnn W'riglit, who was l)orn in 
tliis county, September 22, 1832, a daughter 
of Thomas N. and ]\Iary Brown (San- 
dusky ) W'right, who were natives of this 
p.irt of the county. Mrs. Olmsted was 
born on the old homestead which now be- 
longs to our subject, it having formerly 
been the property of her parents. She was 
a splendid housekeeper and a most ener- 
getic woman. She spun and colored tiie 
yarn and made most of the clothing for the 
family and Mr. Olmsted has in his posses- 
sion two beautiful quilts for which she spun 
and colored the yarn in 1858. Hers was 
also a iiospitable home and the stranger 
was always welcome there. Her parents 
were nati\es of Bourbon county, Kentucky, 
and when her father was nineteen years of 
age and her mother twenty they came to 
Vermilion county, Illinois, and were mar- 
ried six weeks later, in 1831. near Tndian- 
ola, immediately afterward settling on a 
farm which is now the property of Mr. 
Olmsted. There Mr. W'right built a log 
cabin. His wife died May 31, 1851, leav- 
ing fi\'e children of whom Mrs. Olmsted 
was the eldest. Mr. Wright afterward 
married Nancy Dougherty and he died No- 
vember 18, 1872. on the old homestead 
which he developed from a wild prairie. It 
was upon this same farm that five children 
were Ijorn unto our subject and his wife: 
Mary B.. now the wife of John H. Palmer; 
Charles, who married Agnes Emmett. 
whose death occurred November 17. 1887; 
^\'illiam C. who married Eva Beck; 
C.eorge E.. who wedded Nora Champion, of 




M. B. BAILEY. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



225 



Catlin, Illinois; and Albert C, who married 
Bessie Davis and is now a bookkeeper in 
the employ of the Chicago & Eastern Illi- 
nois Railroad. Mr. Olmsted also has eight 
grandchildren. 

After their marriage the parents located 
iipon a rented farm in Catlin township, 
which was their home-for several years and 
after that Mr. Olmsted purchased a place 
m the village of Catlin. He says the first 
beds he ever saw used were made of a few 
posts nailed together and the bedding placed 
upon them. The houses were built of round 
logs. In these early days he used to haul 
corn and pork to river towns, Attica and 
■dther places, and he would go to Liffayette, 
Indiana, to have his wool carded. Danville 
was the main trading point in these early 
days and was but a village. After remov- 
ing to Catlin he continued to rent land for 
"three years. In 1867, the second year after 
the purchase of the county farm, he was ap- 
pointed its superintendent and owing to his 
kindness to the inmates and his efficiency 
he was retained in that position for eight 
years, after which he tendered his resigna- 
tion, desiring to invest in - farm on his own 
account. He then became the owner of the 
property, which he now possesses on section 
27,, Catlin township, Mrs. Olmsted having 
inherited a portion of this land, while our 
subject purchased the remainder. He now 
has one of the best improved farms in the 
neighborhood, supplied with good substan- 
tial buildings and a splendid farm residence, 
where he and his wife resided happily to- 
gether for many years. He then retired to 
Catlin, where he has now resided for nine 
years. Mrs. Olmsted lived to rear and edu- 
cate her family and departed this life July 
26, 1 90 1. She Avas indeed a devoted and 
loving wife and mother, her manv excellent 



qualities endearing her to all with whom she 
came in contact. She was ever kindly and 
charitable and her good deeds were many. 
Mr. Olmsted has long been identified 
with the Vermilion County Fair Association 
and for seven years he acted as gatekeeper. 
He served for two years as a member of the 
board of supervisors, as school trustee for 
eleven years and his incumbency in the office 
of school director dates back to a period al- 
most beyond his memory. He has served 
as judge of elections for several years and 
has been deeply identified with the upbuild- 
ing and progress of the county along social, 
material, moral and intellectual lines. He 
is a member of the Cumberland Presbyter- 
ian church, of which he is now serving as a 
trustee and he belongs to Catlin Lodge, No. 
285, F. & A. M., in which he has served as 
master. Politically he is' a Democrat and ht 
assisted in the organization of the militia 
during the call for the draft. The history 
of Vermilion county is indeed a familiar 
one to him, because of his active connection 
with many interests which have contributed 
to the general progress and improA'ement 
here, from pioneer times down to the pres- 
ent. He has so lived that his name is a 
synonym of honor and no man is more de- 
serving of respect in this community than 
Alfred G. Olmsted. 



M. B. BAILEY. 



Whatever else may be said of the legal 
fraternity, it cannot be denied that members 
of the bar have been more prominent actors 
in public aft'airs than any other class of 
American people. The ability and training 
which qualify one to practice law also 



226 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



qualify liini in many respects for tlie duties 
which he outside the strict path of his pro- 
fession and w hich toucli the general interests 
of society. The subject of this record is a 
man who has brought his keen discrimina- 
tion and thorougli wisdom to bear not alone 
in professional paths but for the benefit of 
the community in which he lives, and he is 
now serving as mayor of Danville and state 
senator from the twenty-second senatorial 
district of the state. 

Mr. Bailey is one of Vermilion county's 
native sons, his birth having occurred in the 
town of Indianola, January 23, 1858. He 
parents were Joseph and Sarah (Brackall) 
Bailey. After attending" the public schools 
of Georgetown for some time he entered 
Earlham College, an old Quaker school at 
Richmond, Indiana, and on lea\ing that in- 
stitution was a student at the State Normal 
School at Normal, Illinois, for a time. In 
1883 he matriculated at Columbia College, 
Washington, D. C, where he was graduated 
in the law department in 1885. The follow- 
ing year took a post-graduate course 
there and was granted the degree of Master 
and Bachelor of Law. 

Prior to taking up the study of law Mr. 
Bailey had taug'ht school in ( ieorgetown 
township and also worked on a farm. In 
1879 he went to Colorado and spent three 
3'ears in the silver mines near Leadville. On 
his return east he was offered a position in 
the treasury department at Washington. O. 
C. and while there he pursued his law- 
studies at Columbia College. He began 
practice at Kansas City, Mi.s.souri, but only 
remained there a short time, returning tn 
Danville on the death of his mother in 1S88, 
and soon afterward he o])ened an office in 
this city. In 1889 he again went to \\'ash- 
ington to accept the pijsition of chief of the 
law division of the pension bureau and 



.serxed in that capacity until 1892, when we 
again find him in Danville. Here he has 
since engaged in the practice of his profes- 
sion and has met with most desirable suc- 
cess. 

On the 1 8th of January, 1899. Mr. 
Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Lucy 
Payne, a native of Rock Island, Illinois, and 
one of the four children born to Senator 
Payne and his wife. Her parents were also 
natives of Rock Island. Mr. am! Mrs. 
Bailey have one child, Joseph, born Decem- 
ber 6, 1899. 

Since attaining his majority Mr. Bailey 
has taken quite an active and prominent part 
in public affairs, and in 1894 was elected to 
the thirty-ninth general assembly, being a 
member of the lower house for two consecu- 
ti\e terms. In 1808 he was nominated by 
the Republican party for state senator, but 
owing to the supreme court's decision on the 
apportionment bill no vacancy existed. He 
was :igain nominated, however, in 1900 and 
this time was elected by a good majority. 
He became quite a prominent and influential 
meml)cr of the legislature, and in the thirty- 
ninth anil fortieth assemblies he served on 
the judiciary, building and loan, assessment 
and insurance committees, of which he was 
also a member after entering the senate. He 
took an active interest in the school board 
law, regulating the power of the boards and 
decreasing the cost of te.xt Ijooks. He also 
worked hard to get a bill passed reducing 
the rate on railroads from three to two cents 
and prohibiting passes, and took a special 
interest in mining legislation, being instru- 
mental in getting a purer grade of oil to be 
sold to the miners and also a law passed i)ro- 
viding the wages for labor should be paid in 
cash and thus doing away with the truck 
store system. He also secured the passage 
of the check weighman law. this giving the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



227 



miners the right to designate the man to 
weigh tlie coal and thus avoiding disputes 
between them and the operators. Mr. Bailey 
was chairman of the committee on mines 
and mining and also the committee on pub- 
lic grounds during the last session. In 
April. 1899, he was elected mayor of Dan- 
ville, and so acceptably did he fill that office 
that he was re-elected in 1901, carrying 
everv ward and precinct for the first time in 
the history of the city, and is the present in- 
cumbent. During his administration many 
needed improvements have been made, in- 
cluding the extension of all the railroad 
lines, and the doubling of the sanitary sewer 
system. Never were the reins of city gov- 
ernment in more capable hands, for he is a 
progressive man, pre-eminently public 
spirited, and all that pertains to the public 
welfare receives his hearty endorsement. 
Socially he is an honored member of the 
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the 
blue lodge and chapter of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Im- 
proved Order of Red Men. the .\ncient Or- 
der of United Workmen, the Fraternal 
Army of America, the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen 
of .\merica. He is deser\-edly popular, as 
he is affable and courteous in manner and 
possesses that essential qualification to suc- 
cess in public life, that of making friends 
readily and strengthening the ties of all 
friendships as time advances. 



HARVEY C. ADAMS. 

To his own unaided efforts may be at- 
tributed whatever success Harvey C. Adams 
has achieved or whatever prominence he has 
attained. He is yet a young man, but at the 
bar he has won a position wJTich would be 



creditable to many an older practitioner. A 
native of the neighboring state of Indiana, 
his birth occurred in Cass count}- on the 2d 
of February, 1870, his parents being Lewis 
and Hannah (Schuman) Adams, both na- 
tives of Ohio. In the state of his nativity 
the father was educated and reared to man- 
hood. After arri\-ing at years of maturity 
he wedded Hannah Schuman, a daughter 
of Christian and Anna (Fall) Schuman. and 
they now reside in Hutsonville, Illinois, 
having lived in or near that place continu- 
ously since 1875. 

Harvey C. Adams was eight years of 
age when the family took up their abode in 
Hutsonville, and entering the public schools 
there he began his education. He was af- 
terward for a short time a student in the 
Union Christian College at ]\Ierom, In- 
diana. Desiring to broaden his knowledge 
and realizing how important a factor in the 
affairs of life is education, he has spent 
much time in private reading and study. 
He pursued the Chautauqua course, also 
took a course in shorthand in the Northern 
Indiana State Normal school at Valparaiso, 
Indiana, and later, while acting as stenog- 
rapher in the office of the firm of Callahan, 
Jones & Howe at Robinson, Illinois, he 
took up the study of law and thus laid the 
foundation for his present successful career 
as a member of the bar. He was appointed 
by the circuit judge of Crawford county, 
Illinois, to the position of court stenograph- 
er. .\fter passing the civil service examina- 
tion he entered the treasury department at 
W^ashington, D. C. as stenographer. When 
six weeks has passed, during which time he 
gave proof of his business skill, adaptabil- 
ity anfl personal worth, he was transferred 
to the civil service commission as a stenog- 
rapher, and while thus engaged he took dic- 
tation from Theodore Roosevelt, who was 



228 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



then one of the tliree civil service commis- 
sioners. Through the kindness of Congress- 
man Joseph Cannon Mr. .\dams was trans- 
ferred to the postoflice department and this 
gave him an opportunity to pursue his law 
studies. Every step which he took, every po- 
sition which he filled, was regarded, as but a 
means to an end — that of the practice of 
law. His residence in Washington covered 
a period of almost three years, from 1890 
until the 4th of March, 1893. In June, 
1892, he was graduated in the Columbian 
University on the completion of a law 
course, and in I\Iarch of the following year 
he resigned his position and returned to Illi- 
nois, seeking a location as a lawyer. 

In April, 1893, Mr. Adams came to 
Danville, where for the past ten years he 
has practiced his profession, gaining a 
clientage which is \ery creditable for one 
so young. He now holds the position of 
secretary to Justice Jacob W. Wilkin of the 
Su])reme Court of Illinois. Mis law prac- 
tice, which he pursues in addition to his sec- 
retary work, consists mainly of probate bus- 
iness, chancery and the settlement of es- 
tates. 

On the 8th of November, 1892, was 
performed the marriage ceremony which 
united the destinies of Harvey C. Adams 
and Miss Blanch Meserve, a daughter of Dr. 
Stephen Decatur Meserve, of Robinson, Illi- 
nois, and they now have one son, Stephen 
Meserve Adams. The subject of this re- 
view endorses the principles and platform 
of the Republican party and upon that ticket 
he was elected to the office of city alderman 
in 1899 l)ut refused to serve a second term. 
Fraternally he is connected with the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Benevolent 
and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of 
Pvthias and the Modern Woodmen of 



America. From his early boyhood days 
Mr. Adams has depended entirely upon his 
own resources and efforts for advancement 
along educational, professional and financial 
lines and although he is yet a young man 
his life history proves conclusively that prog- 
ress in these directions may be made through 
strong delei'niinatinn. honorable purpose 
anfl laudable ambition. 



ELISHA C. R. FITHIAN. 

"Success," said Napoleon, "depends 
upon three things, energy, system and per- 
se\'erance." W iti: the realization of this 
truth Elislia C. B. Fithian has so directed 
bis business affairs that he has prospered in 
his undertakings and to-day he is one of the 
most extensive landowners of Vermilion 
county. He is also one of its pioneer citi- 
zens, for his birtli occurred November 8, 
1837, in Danville, when that city was but a 
village. His parents were Dr. \\'illiam and 
Orlethea T. ( Berry j Fithian, who are men- 
tioned elsewhere in this volume. The son 
pursued his early education in a little log 
building called the Williams school, his first 
teacher being a Scotchman named Robin- 
son. He was not only a good instructor, 
but he also exemplified his belief in the old 
adag^e "spare the rod and spoil the child." 
This was a subscription school and the 
teacher "boarded around'' in the homes of 
the diff'crent pupils. Later Mr. Fithian was 
a student in the White Seminary, a Presby- 
terian institution, where he continued for 
some time, acquiring a good English edu- 
cation. 

After completing bis school duties he 
entered the general store of his lather in 




E. D. B. FITh I AN 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



2 si 



Dan\^ille, remaining there for aljout a year. 
He tlien came to tlie farm in Oakwood 
township, for he believed that the outdoor 
life would prove beneficial to his failing 
health. He took charge of his father's farm 
of thirty-seven hundred acres, very little of 
which was at that time tuider cultivation. 
Mr. Fithian began breaking the prairie, us- 
ing five or six yoke of oxen to a breaking 
plow A\hich would turn a furrow of twenty- 
two inches. He broke a tliousand acres in 
this way, but much of it had to be gone over 
again, often as many as three or four times, 
for there had been no ditching done and the 
warm water would again start the prairie 
grasses. Finally Air. Fithian gave up the 
attempt to transform into cultivable fields 
■ the low land and used it as pasture. He 
tin^ned his attention to the stock business 
on an extensive scale. His father was a 
large stock man and he had gained practical 
knowledge of the business. When the rail- 
roads were built through this portion of the 
state he made shipments of his cattle to 
Chicago. He remembers distinctively, how- 
ever, the early conditions of the county 
when there was much game, includ- 
ing prairie chickens, ducks, brant and geese. 
There were also larg'e numbers of prairie 
wolves that might be heard howling at night 
or seen skirring over the country in the day- 
time. Mr. Fithian has seen as many as 
sixteen deer in a single herd pass through 
his orchard. At night, if the corn was not 
well fenced, the deer would enter the fields 
and eat and tramp down the crop. As time 
passed, however, marked improvements 
were made in methods of agriculture, with 
all of which Mr. Fithian' kept abreast, in 
fact, he lias ever been regarded as one of 
the most progressive agriculturists of this 
part of the state as well as one of the most 
extensi\-e and prosperous landowners. 



On the 23d of February, 1865, occurred 
the marriage of Mr. Fithian and Miss Anna 
M. Hayes, a native of Athens county, Ohio, 
and a daugliter of John and Adaline ( Neb- 
lock) Id ayes, both of whom were natives 
of Pennsylvania and were of Scotch and 
German descent, respectively. Their mar- 
riage was celebrated in Ohio and Mr. Hayes 
was a carpenter by trade. Jn 1850, accom- 
panied by his wife and chililren, he drove 
across the country to Danville in a prairie 
schooner, as the old covered wagons at that 
time were called. The journey occupied 
twetity-one days and at night the family 
camped by the roadside. After reaching 
Vermilion county Mr. Hayes spent a few 
months in Danville and then located a half 
mile south of the old town of Homer, 
Champaign county. There he purchased 
land ui)on which he resided for seven or 
eight years, after which he returned to Ver- 
milion county, where he lived upon a farm 
a half mile from the Fithian homestead, 
his home being in Oakwood township, 
where he spent his remaining days. There 
his death occurred in 1885 and his wife 
passed away on the home place in 1894. 
They were the parents of twelve children, 
of whom six are now living, namely : Mrs. 
Fithian; John, of Vermilion cotinty; Mrs. 
Edith McCoy, of Kansas ; William, of In- 
diana ; Mrs. Lydia Cass, of Danville ; and 
James, who is also living in this county. 
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fithian has 
been blessed with five children: Paul H. 
is a practicing physician of Fithian ; Lalla 
is at home; Elisha C. B. is living upon a 
part of his father's farm, and is married to 
Christiana Illk, by whom he has two chil- 
dren, George William and Anna Dorothy ; 
John. Charles, who is also upon his father's 
farm, married Sarah Reese and has one son, 
Orion P>. ; and David W. is a practicing 



232 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



dentist of Rossville. He wedded Jessie 
Fellow. 

Mr. Fithian was made a Mason in 1875 
and belongs to Fairmount Lodge, No. 590, 
F. & -\. AI. His wife is a member of the 
Methodist church and his political support 
is given the Republicans, but while he keeps 
\\ell informed on the issues of the day he 
lias never consented to hold office except 
that of school director. He has eleven hun- 
dred acres of valuable land and lor some 
years he has been living practically retired, 
having rented almost all of his land to his 
sons. Mr. Fithian is well informed con- 
cerning the history of Vermilion county 
from an earlv epoch in its liistory. In the 
year 1834 he had an aunt in Iowa who re- 
turned to Danville on her wa_\- to Oliio and 
here she was joined bv the mnlher of our 
subject who, taking her baby son with her, 
accomjjanied the aunt to thf^ir old home in 
the Buckeye state, making the entire trip 
on horsel)ack. This fact goes to shdw what 
the pioneer women of that day were capa- 
ble of. On one occasion Mr. Fithian's fa- 
ther sent by wagon to Ohio for two McCor- 
mick rea]5ers, which Cduld nut then lie pur- 
chased in the west. In those early days our 
subject hauled wheat to Attica, Indiana, 
and if prices were "high" he could sell for 
fortv cents per Inishcl. Cdhi brought eight 
and ten cents per bushel and in his boyhood 
T\Tr. I-'ithian would measure corn from the 
crib in a half bushel measure and would 
pass it through ilie window to the men on 
the f)utside. .As time passed Mr. Fithian, 
taking his part in the agricultural work of 
the county, became a leader in ])rogress and 
im])rovement in his line of activity and by 
the capable control of his business interests 
he won splendid success. He has, however, 
never allowed the accumulation of wealth 
to in anv wav warri his kindlv nature and 



there is no man in the community who en- 
joys to a wider extent the esteem and regard 
of those with whom he was associated. 



WILLIAM M. SILVER. 

It would be impossible to give a com- 
plete history of Hoopeston without mention- 
ing William M. Silver, for no resident of 
the town has done so much for its improve- 
ment as Mr. Silver, who in the line of his 
business affairs has continually added to the 
citv's growth and upbuilding. He is a con- 
tractor and builder and a large part of the 
brick structures in the town stand as monu- 
ments to his enterprise and skill. He enjoys 
a s])lendid reputation as a representative of 
this department of business activity and is 
a man whose business honor and integrity 
are beyond question. 

'Sir. Silver was born in Shelby county, 
Ohio, in the town of Sidney, in 1844. His 
father. Peter Silver, was born in Frank- 
fort, Kentucky, and having arrived at years 
of maturity he wedded Man,' Benham, of 
Ohio. He, too, was a contractor and build- 
er and died in Hoopeston in 1883, while his 
wife passed away in 18S8. They had been 
residents of this place from 1875. and were 
well known people here. They had the fol- 
lowing children : William M.. of this re- 
view ; Joseph M., a resident of Leavenworth, 
Krmsas; Mrs. Sarah ^Morris, of Peoria. Illi- 
nois; Mrs. Abbie Boggs, who is living in 
Warsaw, Indiana : and Mrs. Mary E. Hall, 
of Hoopeston. 

\\'hen only about si.\ months old Will- 
iam M. Silver of this review was taken by 
his parents to Elkhart county, Indiana, 
where he remained until fifteen years of age, 
during which time he attended school. He 
then went to Kosciusko county, Indiana, 



TflE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



233 



and from that place entered the army on 
the 27th of April, 1862, when only abont 
eighteen years of age, joining the Twelfth 
Indiana Infantry under the command of 
Captain Samuel Boughton and Colonel W. 
H. Link. He was also under Generals Lo- 
gan and Sherman and lie served for mort 
than three years but was never wounded. 
At Richmond, Kentuclcy, on the 30tli of x^u- 
gust, i86->, he was taken prisoner and after- 
• ward was paroled and sent to Indianapolis 
to the parole camp, where he remained until 
the 14th of November, of that year. On 
that date he was exchanged and went to the 
south at once, proceeding to Memphis, Ten- 
nessee, and on to Vicksburg, participating 
in the siege of that city until its surrender. 
Later he went with his command to Chatta- 
nooga and also took part in the battles of 
Missionary Ridge and Knoxville, and later 
went into winter quarters at Scottsboro, 
Alabama. .\t that point he remained until 
the 1st of May, 1864, when the regiment 
started on the Atlanta campaign, participat- 
ing in many of the hotly contested engage- 
ments W'hich preceded the siege and fall of 
the city. With his regiment Mr. Sil\"er then 
continued with Sherman on his celebrated 
march to the sea and after the surrender of 
Savannah he was in the Carolina campaign 
and continued northward to Washington, D. 
C. his regiment participating in the grand 
review, leading Sherman's army in that cel- 
ebrated military pageant on the 24th of May, 
1865. Mr. Silver was there mustered out 
on the 8tli of June and received his final 
discharge on the 20th of June following. 
He was in twenty-one engagements, taking 
part in every battle in which his regiment 
participated with one exception. He 
marched a little more than six thousand 
miles in three years and was in all of the 



southern states except Texas and Florida. 
During all of this time he made the long- 
marches on foot. His military record is a 
most creditable one and he certainly deserves 
the gratitude of the nation for what he ac- 
complished in aiding in the struggle to main- 
tain the L^nion intact. 

After his return home My. Silver began 
learning the brick layer's trade at Warsaw, 
Indiana, beginning that work in 1866. He 
remained there four years. During that 
time he was married in the month of Feb- 
ruary, 1866, to Miss Sarah Bybee, who died 
eleven months later. In 1868 he was joined 
in wedlock to Jennie McGrew, of Warsaw, 
Indiana, and removed to Elkhart, Indiana, 
where he remained inUil 1871. In that 
year his second wife died and the two chil- 
dren of that union both passed away in in- 
fancy. Succeeding the great fire in Chicago 
in 1871 Mr. Silver went to that city, where 
he followed his trade for eighteen months 
aufl then came to Logan county, Illinois. 
In January, 1873, he was united in marriage 
to Mary A. Weaver, and removed to Mid- 
dletown and later li\'ed in Lincoln, where 
he continued until 1879. the year of his ar- 
rival in Hoopeston. Mr. Silver began con- 
tracting here for brick and stone work and 
still follows his business with splendid suc- 
cess. He has taken contracts for work all 
ovei' the eastern part of Illinois and western 
Indiana. In Floopeston he erected the city 
hall, the west side school, the N. Brillhart 
house, ten storerooms for J. S. McFerren, and 
with three exceptions all of the brick store 
buildings in Hoopeston. He also erected the 
Cunningham House, the Catherwood resi- 
dence and the additions to the McFerren 
residence. He built the first building of the 
Union Canning Company and many others 
of the business structures here, his services 



234 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



being- in constant demand because of his 
thorough understancUng of tlie business and 
his faithfuhiess to tlie terms of a contract 
and his known rehabihty in all trade transac- 
tions. 

In 1901, Mr. Silver was called upon to 
mourn the loss of his second wife, who 
passed away in January of tliat year, leaving 
three living children. There was also one 
child by the first wife, Abbie J., now the wife 
of X. E. Weaver, of Hoopeston, who is as- 
sociated with her father in the contracting 
business. She has five children. The other 
members of Mr. Silver's family are: Le- 
ona G. ; Nellie, the wife of I.. A. Blakeley, 
a brick layer of Danville; and Harry Clyde, 
at hotne. 

In social relations Mr. Silver is promi- 
nent, being a valued member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and of the 
Grand Army of the Republic. His political 
support is given to the Republican party and 
he is the present member of the city council 
from the third ward. He is now serving his 
third term in that position and he filled tli' 
position of township supervisor for one full 
term and for one year of an unexpired term. 
His home is on Market street and he owns 
five tenement houses here. His time and at- 
tention are largely given to his contracting 
and building interests and during the winter 
months he also operates a broom factory 
which adds in a degree to his income. Mr. 
Silver well merits his success, for it has been 
worthily won. He found the opportunities 
he sought — which by the way are always 
open to the energetic, ambitious man — and 
making the best of these he has steadily 
worked his way upward. He possesses 
resolution, perseverance and reliability and 
his name is now enrolled among the best 
citizens of ^^ermilion countv. 



ERNST BLANKENBURG. 

Ernst Blankenburg, who is the leading 
retail dealer in wines, liquors and cigars in 
]3anville, was born in Eberswaldr, Prussia, 
on the 6th of October, 1843, his parents be- 
ing \\'illiam and Caroline (Torge) Blanken- 
burg, both of whom were natives of Prus- 
sia. The father died in the year 1871, 
when sixty-nine years of age, and his wife 
passed away in 1874. at the age of sixty- 
two years, iliey reared a family of nine 
children, in the '60s they crossed the At- 
lantic to the new world, establishing their 
hor.ie in Danville. Our subject was the 
fourth in order of birth in a family of nine 
children, of whom those still living are: 
(iottlieb; August; Louise, the wife of 
George Rust ; and Ernst. Those who have 
passed away are : William, Frederick, 
Christian, Lewis and Ferdinand. 

In the public and private schools of his 
nati\-e town in Prussia Ernst Blankenburg 
pursued his education. He has been a res- 
ident of Danville since 1867, coming here 
wIkmi a young man of twent\--four vears. 
He was first employed as a clerk, serxing 
in that capacit)^ for three years in the dry- 
goods store of William Hessey, after \\liich 
he estal)lished a brewery which was later 
sold to John Stein. In 1875 '^^ established 
his present business which he has now con- 
ducted for more than twcnty-se\'cn \-ears. 
He retails wines, liquors and cigars and is 
conducting the largest establishment of the 
kind in Danville, realizing a handsome and 
gratifying profit from the enterprise. 

In 1880 ]\Ir. Blankenburg was united 
in marriage to ]\liss Mary S. Lee of this- 
city ;uul they now ha\-e two children, a 
daughter and a .son, Edna and Russell. 
Tliev also lost one son, Herman, who died 




ERNST BLANKENBURG. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



237 



at the age of three years. Mr. Blankenburg 
is a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows and is secretary of the Dan- 
ville Socialer Turn Verein. He is a gen- 
tleman of affable manner, genial and cour- 
teous and is a leading German-American 
citizen of Danville. 



GEORGE T. RAY. 

There is nothing in this world that will 
take the place of skillfully directed labor and 
this fact Mr. Ray has realized as be has car- 
ried on his life work. It is to his industn,' 
and enterprise that he owes his place among 
the progressive and substantial farmers of 
Ross township, his home being on section 
30. Among the honored pioneer settlers be 
is likewise numbered for he dates his resi- 
dence in Vermilion county from 1835. The 
family is of German origin, his great-grand- 
father being a native of Germany. The 
grandfather, George Ray, was born in Union 
county, Pennsylvania, whence he removed 
to Ohio, settling near Circleville, in Picka- 
Avay county. His son, John Ray, the father 
of our subject, was born at Buffalo Valley, 
Union county, Pennsylvania, and was 
reared to mature years in Ohio, where he 
formed the acquaintance and married Eliza- 
beth Glover, who was likewise a native of 
the Keystone state. He turned his atten- 
tion to farming, which he followed in Pick- 
away county for a number of years and 
in 1S31 he came to Illinois, settling in Will 
counU . where he resided until the spring of 
1832 when he had to take his family to Fort 
Dearliorn on account of an Indian uprising. 
After a short time, however, he made his, 
way southward to Vermilion county, In- 



diana, where he continued until the Indian 
troubles were settled. He then removed to 
this county in 1835, entering three hundred 
and twenty acres of land in Ross township, 
located on sections 29 and 30. He at once 
began to break this, fenced it and in course 
of time developed a good farm. The entire 
country around, too, was an almost un- 
broken wilderness and in true pioneer stvle 
the family lived. There the father spent his 
remaining days, jjassing away on the 4th 
of March, 1856. His wife long sm"vi\-ed 
him and was caUed to her final rest Feliruary 
13, 18S2. In their family were three sons 
antl three daughters, but two of the daugh- 
ters are now deceased. Those living are: 
William G., who resides in Alvin : John, Avbo 
owns and operates a part of the old home- 
stead ; and Sarah Ann, the wife of John 
Hitchens, a blacksmith of Alvin. 

When but a small boy George Ray be- 
came a resident of Vermilion county and on 
the old home farm his boyhood days were 
passed. Amid the wild scenes,of the fron- 
tier he shared with the family in all the hard- 
ships and trials incident to the establishment 
of a home aiuid pioneer surroundings and 
when his strength and age would permit he 
assisted in the work of clearing and develop- 
ing the farm. As a companion and helpmate 
for life's journey lie chose Miss Mary E. 
Hickman, their wedding being celebrated in 
Catlin township, October 29, 1863, the lady 
being a daughter of Hiram Hickman, a na- 
tive of Kentucky, who, when a small boy, 
went to Tennessee and afterward to Ohio. 
In the latter state he married Martha A. 
Allen and subsequently they removed to Illi- 
nois, settling in Vermilion county about 
1835. Mrs. Ray was born in Brown county, 
Ohio, was reared in this county, and pursued 
her education here and in the Georgetown 



238 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



liigh scliool. For several years prior to her 
marriage she was a successful teacher and is 
a most estimable lady, who has been to her 
husband a faithful companion and helpmate 
on life's journey. They began their domes- 
tic life on a part of the old Ray homestead, 
our subject clearing the land and preparing 
it for the plow. He afterward built a good 
substantial residence, a large barn and made 
many important and \aluable improvements. 
The home was blessed by the ]jresence of five 
children : Daniel V., who is married and 
has three children, Mary E., Angelena, and 
George T., and resides in Jamesburg, Illi- 
nois, where he is engaged in the practice 
of medicine; (leorge A., a lawyer of Ross- 
ville: Frank H., who is married and is living 
in Chicago, having two children, Ruth and 
Paul Keneth : Benjamin, who is married, has 
one child. Bertha ]\r.. and resides with his 
parents ; and Charles, who completes the 
family. 

Politically Mr. Ray is a Jeffersonian 
Democr.'it, who in 1852 voted for Franklin 
Pierce, age having given to him the right of 
franchise for the first time at that election. 
He served for several years as township 
school trustee and also as director and has 
e\'er been earnestly interested in the ad- 
vancement of the schools and the emi)loy- 
ment of good teachers, believing that edu- 
cation is one of the bulwarks of our nation. 
From pioneer times down to the present he 
has been a witness of the substantial de\-el- 
opment of Vermilion count)'. ]-le c;uiie 
here when much of the land appeared just 
as it did when nature completed her work. 
It was the haunt of deer and other wild ani- 
mals and venison furnished m.nny a meal for 
the early settlers, while wild fowls were fre- 
quently seen on the pioneer board. .A num- 
ber of years have passed ere the wild prairie 



grasses had ctuircly been replaced by the 
fields of waxing grain in the midst of which 
to-day stand substantial farm houses, whik 
towns and villages have here and there 
sprung up. Mr. Ray's memory forms a 
connecting link between the pioneer past 
and the progressive jjre.sent and he has manv 
interesting incidents to relate of \'ermilion 
county's history. 



J. P. BAIFEY. 

J. P. Bailey, a well known carpenter and 
contractor of Dan\-ille ami an honored vet- 
eran of the (^i\il war. is a native of this 
county, his birth having occurred February 
8. 1S42. seven miles southeast of George- 
town on the horseshoe l)end of the Little 
\'ermilion river. His father, James S. 
Bailey, was born in Chillicothe, Ross coun- 
ty Ohio, and on reaching manhood was 
m.-irried in Newport, Indiana, to Miss Orena 
West, a native of Vermilion county, that 
state, who died on the 3d of Xo\-eniber, 
1853. He continued to reside in Newport 
until iS(')~. when be remoxed to Sangamon 
county. Illinois, where his death occurred 
December 25. 1S73, his remains being in- 
terred in Blunk cemetery-, fifteen miles 
southeast of Springfield. By trade he was a 
coo])er. In religious faith he was a Pres- 
Inierian. x\as also connected with the Mason- 
ic lodge and was a stanch supporter of the 
Republican party. His brother, William 
Bailey, was a prominent old settler of Ver- 
milion county. Indiana, where he served as 
sheriff and coviiUy clerk at an early day. 

Our sul)ject is one of a family of three 
children, but his brother is deceased. His 
sister. Marv. is the wife of \\'illiam H. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



239 



Gowdy, of Covington, Indiana. Mr. Bailey 
began Iiis education in the Billings school 
at the crossroads near his home prior to the 
election of President Pierce, the "temple of 
learning" being a log structure furnished 
with slab seats, and the school was con- 
ducted on the subscription plan. After the 
removal of the family to Perrysville, Indi- 
ana, he attended the ]jublic schools at that 
place and made his home there until after 
the outbreak of the Civil war. Since the 
death of his mother, when he was eleven 
years of age, he has been dependent upon his 
own resources for a livelihood, working on 
a farm the first summer. The following 
winter he carried the mail from Perrysville 
to Georgetown and Danville, Illinois, and 
the next summer drove a three-mule team 
on the canal from Perrysville to Toledo, 
Ohio. During the next winter he drove the 
stage for Teller Brothers from Covington 
to Armiesburg, Indiana, and on giving up 
that position he began learning the mill- 
wright's trade in the construction of the 
old Williams mill at Hillsboro, Indiana. La- 
ter he was employed on the Smith & Jones 
mill in Fountain county, that state; the 
Kirkpatrick mill at Perrysville and the 
woolen mill at that place. He helped to 
build the old North street church in Dan- 
ville in 1857, and assisted in the erection of 
the seminary at Perrysville in 1859, besides 
a great many mills throughout the country. 
During the dark days of the Rebellion, 
however, [Mr. Bailey laid aside all personal 
interests and offered his services to his 
country, enlisting at Perrysville, Indiana, 
September 9, 1861, in Company D, Thirti- 
eth Indiana Volunteer Infantry under Cap- 
tain Weldon and Colonel I. Bass, of Fort 
Wayne. His regiment was mustered in at 
Indianapolis and assigned to the Army of 
the Cumljerland. They participated in quite 



a number ui skirmishes in Tennessee and 
their first important engagement was the 
battle of Shiloh in 18(12. In 1864 the com- 
mand was transferred to the Army of the 
Tennessee and was with Sherman on his At- 
lanta campaign until the surrender of that 
city, after which they returned to Nashville 
under the command of General Thomas. 
They next went to Huntsville, Alabama, 
and from there started to Richmond to re- 
lieve the Army of the Potomac, but in the 
spring of 1865 were transferred to New Or- 
leans and from there went to Victoria, Tex- 
as, where Mr. Bailey was mustered out on 
the 25th of November, 1865. He was 
wounded in the left side by a minie ball dur- 
ing the second day's fight at Nashville, De- 
cember 16, 1864. 

Returning home Mr. Bailey resumed 
work at the millwright's trade, which he 
continued to follow until 1890, since which 
time he has devoted his attention to carpen- 
tering and contracting with good success 
and is to-day one of the leading Inisiness 
men of Danville, where he has made his 
home since 1879. He has erected a great 
many of the ele\'ators in this county besides 
other buildings and has always faithfully 
fulfilled his part of every contract. 

On the 23th of March, 1865, in New- 
port, Indiana, Mr. Bailey married Miss 
Frances A. Seay, who was born in George- 
town, Illinois, April 26, 1846, a daughter 
of Thomas A. Seay. As a child she made 
her home with Elisha R-iiney, of George- 
town, but was later adopted by Dr. Perkins, 
of Eugene, Indiana. After a short married 
life of fourteen years she died April 12, 
1879, leaving four children, namely: Min- 
nie, the wife of William Buckley, of St. Lou- 
is, Missouri; John G.. a candy manufacturer 
of that city; William H., who married Lena 
Miller and resides in Danville, where he as- 



240 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



sists his father in business; and .Maud, wife 
of Jerome Alaloy, of Pertli Amhoy, New 
Jersey. 

Mr. Bailey was again married, l-"ebru- 
ary 16, 1886, his second union being with 
Miss .\mie E. Ohver. wiio was born eight 
miles north of Danville, in Vermilion county, 
April 6, i860, a daughter of Bushrard and 
Melvina (Kritzer) Oliver. Her father was 
a native of Bourbon county, and her mother 
of Rainesville, Indiana, but they were mar- 
ried in Danville, Illinois. The father was a 
farmer by occupation, a Democrat in poli- 
tics and a member of the Christian church. 
He died on the 23d of May, 1894, but his 
wife is still living and now makes her home 
witJT our subject. In their family were six- 
teen children, of w'hom twelve are still living. 

Mr. Bailey is a prominent member of 
several civic societies, including the Grand 
Army of the Republic, the Independent Or- 
der of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen 
of America, the Royal Neighbors and the 
Mutual Protection League. Politically he is 
identified with the Republican party and has 
taken a ver}' influential and prominent part 
in public affairs, having served as deputy 
sheriff at Dexter, Missouri, and as city mar- 
shal, councilman and mayor of Dexter. He 
is pre-eminently public-spirited and progres- 
sive and as faithfully discharges his duties 
of citizenship in times of peace as when he 
followed the old flag to victory on southern 
battle-fields. 



THOMAS \\OOLVERTON. 

Among the native sons of Vermilion 
county is numbered Thomas Woolverton 
and his life history sets at naught the old 
adage, that "a prophet is not without honor 
save in his own countrv." There is there- 



fore particular interest attaching to the sub- 
ject of this re\icw in his business career. 
He is a native son of the county where he 
has passed his active life and has so directed 
his ability and efforts as to gain recognition 
as one of the representative men of Hoopes- 
ton. He to-day is the owner of the Hoopes- 
ton machine shops, an enterprise of magni- 
tude and importance returning to the owner 
and proprietor a very desirable annual in- 
come. 

Mr. Woolverton was but thirteen years 
of age when he started out in life for him- 
self. His birth occurred in Grant town- 
ship in 1 85 1. His father. Colonel Abel 
W'oolverton, was commander of a regiment 
in the war of 181 2 and was a farmer by oc- 
cupation. He came of a family that lived 
near Cincinnati, Ohio, prior to the emigra- 
tion to Illinois. In the year 1S50, how- 
ever. Colonel W'oolverton sought a home in 
the Mississippi valley and located in Grant 
township, Vermilion county, settling on 
government land on the North Fork. He 
became one of the early settlers of the com- 
munity. He had finn faith in the future of 
this ]:)ortion of the state and he foretold the 
building of the two railroads which now 
cross the county. Colonel Woolverton se- 
cured a large tract of land in this locality 
and began the development of a farm. There 
were many wild animals here, including 
woKes, and among the wild game there 
were numbered deer, geese, brant and ducks. 
The mother of our subject died when he was 
but six years of age and the father afterward 
married ag"ain. Thomas Woolverton has 
one sister, i\Irs. Sophia J. Holmes, of 
Hoopeston, and one brother, Charles. 

At the time of his father's death, which 
occurred when he was thirteen years of 
age, Thomas Woolverton started out in life 
on his own account. He was but a bov, vet 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



241 



lie possessed courage and self-reliance and 
determined that he would win for himself a 
•creditable position in the business world. 
He herded cattle at an early day and en- 
. gaged in farm labor until his marriage, 
which occurred in 1871, Miss Eliza J. Fort- 
ner becoming his wife. The lady is a native 
of Indiana and her parents are both now de- 
ceased. By this marriage there are two liv- 
ing children, Mrs. Ed. R. Knox, whose hus- 
band is deputy circuit clerk in Danville, and 
N. G., a lawyer who is now in partnership 
with Charles A. Allen, of Hoopeston, and 
is serving as city attorney. 

For several years after his marriage Mr. 
Woolverton engaged in farming and was 
the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of 
valuable land, but after about six years he 
abandoned the plow and removed to 
Hoopeston, where he opened a meat market 
Avhich he conducted for six years. By going 
security he was forced to begin life anew. 
Eater he was elected township assessor and 
•constable and served in this office until about 
seventeen years ago when he began selling 
farm machinery in a small way. He has car- 
ried on this business with ever increasing 
success and he is now proprietor of the 
Hoopeston machine shops and does an ex- 
tensive business in McCormick harvesters, 
the Deere plows, buggies, wagons and har- 
ness ; in fact, he carries everything needed 
upon a farm in connection with its cultiva- 
tion. He has a machine shop and a general 
repair shop, forty by one hundred and twen- 
ty feet, and part of this is two stories in 
height. During the busy season he employs 
fifteen men in the shop and does all kinds of 
repair work from the repairing of a hammer 
to a threshing machine. His macine shop 
and implements are upon the west side of 
Bank street, the harness and buggv empor- 
ium on the east side, but these are near to- 



gether so that he gi\-es his personal super- 
\-ision to all branches of his business. He 
engages in the manufacture as well as the 
repairing of harness and also i^epairs bug- 
gies. The shop on the east side of the 
street is fifty by sixty feet and he also nas 
two stores wdiich he rents. The business has 
constantly grown in volume and importance 
until it is now the leading industrial and 
commercial concerns of the town and the 
owner has become one of the substantial 
residents of Hoopeston. Long since has he 
regained his lost possessions, pushing for- 
ward to continued success in the conduct of 
the enterprise which has proved to him a 
profitable one. 

In his political views J\Ir. Woolverton is 
a stalwart Republican and was appointed to 
fill the unexpired term of \V. R. Clark on 
the board of supervisors. At the next reg- 
ular election in 1894 he was elected to fill 
that office, which he has held continuously 
since, and bv re-election he is now serving 
for the fourth term and is one of the most 
prominent and \-alued members of the 
board. He has served as its chairman for 
t\\o different terms and is now chairman of 
the committee on buildings and grounds. 
For eight years he was justice of the peace 
in Grant township and was at one time a 
member of the city council of Hoopeston, 
filling the office before the city was divided 
into wards. No public trust reposed in him 
has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree 
and he has the entire confidence of his fel- 
low men concerning matters of importance 
to the city. Fraternally he is connected with 
the blue lodge of Masons, with the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he 
has served as noble grand, with the Forest- 
ers and with the Modern Woodmen of 
America. He has a pleasant home at the 
corner of Bank and Penn streets and he 



242 



TtlE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



owns hall a block in tlie center of the town 
on wliich are located his Inisiness blocks. 
He was a resident of this place when the 
entire locality was covered with rosin- weed 
and milk-weed and prairie grasses grew in 
abundance. He herded cattle on the pres- 
ent site of Hoopeston, but as the years have 
passed he has witnessed great changes, a 
transfonnation being wrought which has 
contril)uted in a marked degree to the im- 
])ro\enien_t antl upbuilding of the eiuire com- 
munit}-. Mr. Woolverton possesses marked 
energy and keen perception. This enables 
him to form his plans readily and he never 
wavers in carrying them to a successful 
completion. His close application to busi- 
ness and his excellent managemeiU have 
b; ght to him the high degree of prosperity 
which is to-dav his. 



H. W. HARRIS. 



H. W. Harris is now living a retired 
life on his farm on section 15, Ross town- 
ship, five miles east of Rossville. Here he 
has a valuable property of two hundred and 
forty acres and thereon has made his home 
for forty-eight years. His residence in the 
county covers a longer period, however, for 
he arrived here in February, 1848. He was 
born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. July 6, 
1827, and comes of a family of English an- 
cestry. Plis grandfather, Samuel Harris, 
settled in Alaryland at an early day and 
there Jesse Harris, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born on the 21st of July. 1800. 
In the city of his nativity he was reared and 
was there united in marriage to Lydia Ann 
Warner, whose birth occurred in Wilming- 
ton. Delaware. By trade he was a cooper 
and followed that pursuit througliout most 
of his active business life. In his later 



years, however, he became general agent for 
H. J. Williams, a prominent attorney of 
IMiiladelphia. In the year 1841 he left 
Pennsylvania and took up his aliode in Ross 
county, Ohio, where he resided for seven 
years, when he came to Illinois and here set- 
tled in Ross township, Vermilion county, 
spending his last years upon the home farm 
of his son, H. W. Harris. 

The last named was reared in Philadel- 
phia to the age of fourteen years and began 
his education in the public schools there. 
The remainder of his boyhood days were 
passed in Ohio upon his father's farm and 
in 1848 he came to Vermilion county, Illi- 
nois, where he began earning his own liv- 
ing by working as a farm hand by the 
month. In the fall, howe\'er, he returned to 
the Buckeye state, making the journey on 
horseback in order to vote for Zachary Tay- 
lor, casting his first ballot in that year. 
\\'hen his mission was accomplished he once 
more came to Illinois, where he worked on 
a farm until he decided to engage in agri- 
cultural pursuits on his own account and 
rented a tract of land. In the new work he 
prospered and when he hail acquired S(ime 
capital he purchased his present farm of 
one hundred and sixty acres in 1853. It 
was then a tract of raw prairie on which 
not a furrow had been turned or an im- 
provement made, but he broke it and fenced 
it and otherwise developed the pro])erty, 
luaking it a valuable tract of land, which 
returned to him golden liar\-ests in reward 
for the care and labor whicli he Ijestow^ed 
upon the fielils. .\s his financial resources 
increased he added to the farm and now 
within its boundaries there are two hun- 
dred and forty acres of good land. He 
erected a neat and substantial residence, 
also a large barn and other necessary out- 
buildins's. These were but a few of the im- 




H. W. HARRIS. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



245 



pro\enients which he made. He planted an 
orcliard, tiled his tields and divided the 
farm by well kept fences. He also raised 
good stock and although he came to Ver- 
milion county a poor man he gradually 
worked his way up\vard until he gained a 
place among the substantial residents of the 
county. 

Air. Han"is has been twice married. In 
Indiana in 1853, he wedded Nancy Clark, 
who died in 1864. leaving five children: H. 
P., who is married and li\-es near Wichita, 
Kansas; Emma, the wife of Walter Wood, 
of Hoopeston ; Isabella, the wife of Chris- 
topher Fred, of Fulton, Indiana; Edwin 
Stanton, who is married and follows farm- 
ing in Oklahoma; and Olive, who married 
George Holtz, of Ross township. After the 
death of his first wife Mr. Harris wedded 
Mary Money, a native of Kentucky, who, 
when a young lady, came to this county 
and on the 22d of June, 1865, gave her hand 
in marriage to Mr. Harris. There are six 
children of this marriage: Salome J., the 
wife of Charley W. Smith; Lydia A. ; Jose- 
phine; John; Minnie, the wife of Albert 
Statzell, of Williamsport, Indiana : and 
Jesse S., who with John assist? in the opera- 
tion of the home farm. 

Politically Mr. Harris was originally a 
Whig and joined the ranks of the Republi- 
can party upon its organization. He voted 
for John C. Fremont in 1856 and has never 
failed to cast his ballot for each presidential 
nominee of the party since that time. He 
first voted for Taylor in 1848. In 1875 he 
was appointed to the position of school 
treasurer and was elected and re-elected to 
the otilice until he served for tw^enty-seven 
consecutive years. He has also been a del- 
egate to numerous count\' conventions of 
his party. I-^rom pioneer times down to the 

present he has watched the growth and de- 
11 



velopment of Vermilion county, having seen 
a swampy land reclaimed for purposes of 
civilization by tiling and cultivation and 
modern farming methods have been intro- 
duced and carried on until the country has 
been made to bloom and blossom as the 
rose. The work of progress has also been 
instituted in this city and Mr. Flarris feels 
a just pride in wdiat has been accomplished 
here. He is now a venerable man of seven- 
ty-fi\-e years, receiving the respect and hon- 
or which should e\er be accorded one who 
has advanced far on life's journe\'. 



A. WARD. 



Eighty acres of good farming- land on 
section i, (jcorgetown township, constitutes 
the farm of A. Ward, who is there carrying 
on general agricultural pursuits and stock- 
raising. He has resided in Vermilion cmin- 
ty since 1871 and is a native of Switzerland 
county, Indiana, born on the 5th of January, 
1833. His parents were Bennett and Nancy 
(Boggs) Ward, the former a native of 
North Carolina and the latter of Kentucky. 
In an early day the father removed to Indi- 
ana, where he lived for a number of years. 
He afterward spent a few years in Missouri 
and while there his wife died. Subsequent- 
ly he retmmed to Vermilion county, Illinois, 
making his home with the subject of this re- 
vlew until his death, which occurred on the 
3d of July, 1 88 1. 

A. Ward is the only one of the children 
born unto his parents now residing in \'er- 
milion county. He pursued his education 
in the district schools of Delaware county, 
Indiana. He settled upon a farm there, 
making it his place of abode until 1871, 
when he came to this county. In 1875 he 



246 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



bought his present farm on section i, 
Georgetown township. Throughout his en- 
tire lite he has carried on the occupation to 
wliich he was reared and in his farming 
methods is progressive, keeping in toucli 
with tlie best methods of cuhivating the soil 
and caring for stock which are in vogue at 
the present day. When he located here the 
land was all covered with timber, but he 
cleared this and has placed his fields under 
a high state of cultivation. His farm is to- 
day well improved with modern equipments 
and he is successfully carrying on general 
farm work and stock-raising. 

Mr. Ward was first married while liv- 
ing in Delaware county, Indiana, to Miss 
Phoebe Edginton, a nati\e of Ohio. Her 
father removed to Delaware county, Indi- 
ana, at an early day and there died. Mrs. 
W'ard passed away at her home in this coun- 
tv in 1877. Of seven children born of that 
marriage five are yet living: Alonzo, who 
resides in Kansas; Wilson, who married 
Maggie Rogers and is living in INIead coun- 
ty. Kansas; Franklin, who resides at home 
with our subject; Grant, who wedded Mar}- 
Rosenbarger and is living in Veedersburg, 
Indiana; and Cooley, who married Maude 
Man ley and resides in Georgetown, where 
he is conducting the Rival Restaurant. 
Those deceased are Mary, Amanda and Cal- 
vin. After the death of his first wife Mr. 
Ward was again married, his second union 
being with Mary J. Estes, a native of El- 
wood township, Vemiilion county, born in 
October, 1845. Her parents, Laborin and 
Polly (Chambers) Estes, were very early 
settlers of this county, coniing to Illinois 
from North Carolina and here they spent 
their remaining days. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. \\'ard Imld member- 
sliip in the Christian church of Georgetown 
township and are faithful to its teachings 



and principles. He has always \((ted with 
the Democracy but has ne\er Ijeen an office 
seeker. His life has been one of untiring 
industry and since coming to Vermilion 
county he has accomplished a great amount 
of work, in clearing his land, preparing it 
for the plow and placing it under the higli 
state of cultivation in which it is to-day 
found. 



ROBERT PIOLMES. 

The story of a successful career is al- 
ways a matter of interest and althougli jeal- 
ousy is sometimes manifest the great major- 
ity rejoice in advancement, especially when 
one has risen to prominence and success from 
a humble financial position. This Robert 
Holmes has done and to-day he is controlling 
one of the most extensive and important 
industrial enterprises of \''ermilion county. 
He was born in Sandusky, Ohio, December 
25, 1858, and is a son of William and Re- 
becca (Thomas) Holmes, the former a na- 
ti\e of New Castle, Delaware, and the latter 
of \\'ales. They were married in Sandusky 
and a year later located in Marion, Ohio. 
The father was a machinist by trade and 
conducted a shop there, making that place 
his home until his death, which occurred on 
the i8th of December, 1872. His political 
support was given the Republican party and 
he was e\er a progressive and loyal citizen. 
His wife died March 18, 1899. In their 
family were five sons and four daughters, 
of whom three sons and three daughters are 
yet living, Robert being the eldest. Grant, 
a ])artner of our subject, now conducts a 
machine shop and makes his home in Dan- 
ville. Sherman is engaged in gold mining 
in Dutch Guiana, South America, and is 
also a partner of the firm of Robert Holmes 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



247 



& Brothers, incorporated. Mary is the wife 
of Dr. \V. H. Snaveley, a resident of Seff- 
ner, Florida. Mattie is the wife of J. A. 
Johnson, who is living in Thomotosassa. 
Florida; and Hattie is the wife of Howard 
Bolander, of Marion, Ohio. 

Robert Holmes began his education in 
the schools of Marion and afterward 
worked in machine shops there. Owing to 
his father's early death he was forced to be- 
gin work when only thirteen years of age 
and was there employed until he had at- 
tained his majority. In 1880 he came to 
Danville and secured a position as a ma- 
chinist in the Chicago and Eastern Illinois 
Railroad shops, where he remained for si.x 
months. He then accepted the agency of 
the Huber engine and thresher which is 
manufactured in Marion. He established an 
agency in this city in partnership with P. T. 
Baker and conducted the business with suc- 
<:ess for ten years, when his partner sold out 
to W. W. Kent and the latter relation was 
maintained for a year. Mr. Holmes then 
purchased his partner's interest and in- 
creased the business, extending its scope. In 
1893 his brothers removed to Danville and 
he became a partner in the business. It was 
then that the firm established a machine shop 
at Nos. 30 and 36 North Hazel street. 
Since then the business has constantly 
grown and they now occupy not only the 
machine shop space but also a building one 
hundred and twenty by one hundred and 
fifty feet, extending from No. 49 to No. 53 
North Hazel street. It is in this building 
that the main offices are located. The firm 
of Robert Holmes & Brothers employs more 
than fifty workmen in the machine shops. 
They make a specialty of locomotive bell 
ringers and air compressors and also of the 
manufacture of shaker screens for coal min- 
ers. They do a big business in mill and mine 



machine-repairing and sell everything in the 
Une of farm machinery and also "everything 
on wheels," as their advertisement reads. 
This includes all kinds of vehicles, makins: a 
specialty of high grade automobiles. The 
output of the house is now very extensive 
and the business has reached large and prof- 
itable proportions. 

In his political views Mr. Holmes is a 
Republican, but has never sought or de- 
sired office and in fact has always refused 
to become a candidate for political prefer- 
ment, although as a private citizen he is ever 
true to the welfare of his city, state and na- 
tion and is deeply interested in the success 
of party principles. He belongs to Damas- 
cus Lodge, K. P., and to the Danville Lodge 
of Elks. Coming to this city without cap- 
ital, accepting a position as an employe, he 
stands to-day as a worthy representative of 
what may be accomplished through earnest 
effort combined with a thorough knowledge 
of the business undertaken, capable manage- 
ment in its control and honorable dealings 
in the relations with the public. 



M. t. PORTERFIELD. 

M. F. Porterfield, a representative of the 
banking interests of Vermilion county now, 
owning and conducting the Porterfield Bank 
at Fairmount, was born in Pennsylvania, on 
the 17th of February, 1849. His parents, 
James B. and Elvira H. (Blaine) Porter- 
field, were also natives of the Keystone state. 
The father was a tanner and harness-maker 
and in the year 1856 came westward with 
his family, first settling in Monmouth, War- 
ren county, Illinois, where he remained for 
a year. He then removed to Champaign and 
became a contractor for the Illinois Central 



24i$ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Railroad Company, making his lionie in tiiat 
place until the fall of 1862. He next set- 
tled upon a farm near Sidney, this state, and 
later he retired from active life, spending his 
last years in the town of Sidney. There he 
died in February. 1891, and his wife passed 
away in 1895. In their family were six sons 
and three daughters, all of wIkmh are yet 
living, namely: Al. V., of this review; 
Mary B.. who is living in Sidney; E. N., 
who is engaged in the real estate and loan 
business at Kearney, Nebraska; S. E.. who 
is engaged in the grain business with his 
youngest brother. J. Bert, at Sidney; J. C, 
who is employed in the veterinary depart- 
ment of the Union Stock Yards of Chica- 
go; Carrie F., the wife of Charles J. Free- 
man, a resident of Decatur; L. W., who is 
engaged in the grain trade in Champaign ; 
and Nettie, the wife of John F. Largent. a 
lawyer of Salt Lake City, Utah. 

M. F. Forterfield pursued his early edu- 
cation in the public schools near Sidney and 
later continued his literary course in the 
State University of Illinois, at Urbana, 
while he jircpared for business life in a com- 
mercial college. He was one of the orignial 
students of the State University, entering 
in the winter of 1869-70. After putting 
aside his text books he lived upon the farm 
witli liis father until 1873, when lie i)ur- 
chased a tract of land .southeast of Sidney 
and began farming on his own account, 
there carrying on agricultural pursuits un- 
til 1891. In that year he came to h'ainnount 
and established the Forterfield Bank, which 
he is now conducting. It is a private bank- 
ing institutiiin, well meriting public support 
because of the ca]jability and enterprise of 
the owner. Mr. Forterfield also owns the 
bank building and other business blocks in 
l"airni(innt and an elegant residence which 
is the faniih' home. 



On the ist of January. 1885. near Fhilo, 
Illinois, Mr. Forterfield was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Belle J. Cole, who was torn 
in W'orthington, Massachusetts, August 5, 
1861. a daughter of Charles ]•'. and Maria J. 
( Fease) Cole, who were likewise natives of 
the Bay State. In the year 1S63 they came 
west, locating near Philo, Champaign coun- 
ty. ui)on .'1 farm. There the father died in 
1898 but the mother is still !i\-ing. In their 
familv were three sons and four daughters, 
but one son and one daughter have now 
passed away. The home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Forterfield has been blessed with three chil- 
dren : N. Raymond. N. Mildred and Wil- 
lard B. 

Mr. Forterfield is a member of the Mod- 
ern Woodmen Camp and of the Court of 
Honor and he belongs to the Cumberland 
I'rcslivterian church. His father was a 
Whig and upon attaining his majority Mr. 
Forterfield becariie a Republican, having 
since given earnest and loyal support to the 
]iart\'. While there has been nothing e.xcit- 
ing or adventuresome in his business career, 
the history of his success is one of interest, 
because it shows what can be accomplished 
when one has strong deternfination and 
laudable ambitic^n. guided by sound judg- 
ment. The.se are the (|ualities which have 
gained success to I'airniounl's popular 
banker, making him a jirosperous citizen of 
\'ernnlion countv. 



ABRAM B. SMITH. 

-\bram B. Smith, a retired farmer of 
Danville, was born in eastern Tennessee on 
Christmas Day. 1817. He is a son of Jos- 
eph and Sarah (lirown) .Siuith. Ixith of 
whom were natises of eastern Tennessee. 




A. B. SMITH. 




MRS. A. B. SMITH. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



253 



and resided tliere until 1828, when they 
came to \'ermiiion county. lUinois, casting 
in their lot with its iirst settlers. Only ten 
years before had the state been admitted to 
the Union and this portion of Illinois was 
largely wild and unimproved, awaiting the 
awakening touch of the white race to trans- 
form it into one of the richest agricultural, 
industrial and commercial sections of this 
great commonwealth. Joseph Smith took 
up his abode in Georgetown township, 
turned his attention to agricultural pursuits 
and improved a good farm, upon which he 
made his home until called to his final rest 
at the age of seventy-three years. His wife 
has also passed away. They were the par- 
ents of thirteen children, of whom five are 
now living: Eliza, the widow of William 
Gantz and a resident of Georgetown town- 
ship; Abram B., of this review: Amanda, 
the wife of Andrew Runnells. of George- 
town township; Michael E., who is engaged 
in selling farm implements in Brockstown, 
Illinois; and Catherine, the wife of Adam 
Kyger, of Missoiu'i. The others were all 
reared here and most of them died in Ver- 
milion county. 

Like the other members of the family 
Abram B. Smith pursued a common-school 
education, the schoolhouse being five miles 
from his home. He was only eleven years 
of age when with his parents he came to 
Vermilion county. In 1841 he settled on a 
farm in Georgetown township, where he 
lived until his removal to Danville, devot- 
ing his energies to the tilling of the soil. 
He married Eliza E. Lockett. a native of 
^^irginia and a daughter of Richard Lock- 
ett, who was one of the early settlers of 
Georgetown township and of Dan\-ille. 
Throughout his entire life Mr. Lockett car- 
ried on agricultural pursuits and in early 
davs he also conducted a grist mill in Dan- 



ville township. His death occurred in 
Georgetown. 

For many years Mr. and Mrs. Smith 
traveled life's journey together and were 
then separated by the death of the wife, 
which occurred December 6, 1898, while she 
was on a \'isit to a cousin in Chicag'o. Unto 
them were born nine children but Lockett 
R.. Sarah J., Dora E. and Mary Alice are 
all deceased and buried in the McKindree 
cemetery. David A. is engaged in farming 
in Georgetown township. Matilda A. is the 
wife of Hiram W. Ross, a resident of Dan- 
\-ille. Joseph H. is a farmer of Edgar coun- 
ty. Illinois. Tilmon C. is engaged in the 
practice of law in Danville. Charles New- 
ton was born in Georgetown township. Jan- 
uary 25, i860, and frcini the common 
schools of his native county he entered the 
State Normal School at Normal, Illinois, 
graduating from that institution in the class 
of 1882. Choosing the profession of medi- 
cine as a life work, he then matriculated at 
Rush Medical College of Chicago and was 
graduated with the class of 1885. For two 
years he successfully engaged in practice at 
Homer, Illinois, but on account of failing 
health he was compelled to give up the prac- 
tice and is now living retired in Dan\ille. 
•He married Miss Mary L. Walker, a daugh- 
ter of George Walker, deceased, who was an 
early settler and prominent citizen of Taze- 
well ciiunty, Illinois. 

After his marriage Abram B. Smith en- 
gaged in farming in Georgetown township 
until his removal to Danville. He took up 
his abode here on the 4tli of August, 1899, 
and has since lived retired, occupying a 
pleasant home at No. 509 Buchanan street. 
He also owns a house on Jackson street, 
another on Park street, and has two houses 
and lots in Homer, Illinois. He is likewise 
the owner of three hundred and forty acres 



254 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



of land in Georgetown township and the 
rental of his property brings him a good in- 
come. His success in life was due entirely 
to his own labor and diligence, together 
with the assistance of his estimable wife. 
By their frugality they became the owners 
of six hundred and sixty acres of choice 
land in \'ermilion county, a part of which 
has since been divided among his cliildren, 
though Mr. Smith still retains the old home- 
stead of three hundred and forty acres. 

While residing upon his farm he served 
as school director but has never been an 
off'ce seeker, his farming and stock-raising 
interests leaving him no time for political 
work. In early life he was a Whig, al- 
though his father was a Democrat. He cast 
his first presidential vote for William Henry 
Harrison and after the dissolution of the 
Whig party became independent. He holds 
membership in the ^lethodist Episcopal 
church of Georgetown township and is one 
of the leading retired citizens of Danville. 

For seventy-four years Mr. Smith has 
resided in \'ermilion county and its history 
is therefore familiar to him. He has been 
an eye witness of almost its entire growth 
and development ; has seen its wild lands 
claimed for farming purposes and de\-el- 
oped into very rich and ]iroductive tracts; 
has seen the county crossed by a network of 
railroads so that it is supplied with splendid 
transportation facilities ; has seen hamlets 
grow into thrixing towns and villages, 
while Danville lias developed from a little 
country crossroads into a city of metropoli- 
tan proportions. Throughout all these 
years Mr. Smith has followed the even ten- 
or of his way as a farmer, yet has kept in 
touch with the general progress and im- 
provement, has kept informed concerning 
the leading questions of the day, and at all 
times he has been loyal and true to the best 



interests of his community, so that he well 
deserves representation in this volume as 
one of the representati\e men of Vermilion 
county. 



D. BYRON HAGGARD. 

Through the years of his identification 
with the business interests of Danville D. 
Byron Haggard enjoyed the highest respect 
of his fellow townsmen by reason of his 
strict integrity and sterling worth, and in his 
death the community realized that it had 
lost a valued citizen. He was Ijorn in Lo- 
gansport. Indiana, on the 6th of December, 
1839, a son of John and Cynthia Haggard, 
of that state. His father was a tinner by 
trade and for some time conducted a hartl- 
ware store in Logansport. Both he and his 
wife died in Kokomo, Indiana. 

During his boyhood David Haggard had 
only the advantages of a common-school ed- 
ucation but by reading and observation in 
subsequent years be became a well informed 
man. In 1858 he received the offer of a po- 
sition in the dry -goods store of IMr. Moore, 
of Danville, who had formerly been a resi- 
dent of Lafayette, Indiana, and with whom 
Mr. Haggard had prexiously been ac- 
quainted. Accepting the office he came to 
Danville that year and engaged in clerking 
for a few years or until Mr. Moore sold out. 
He then formed a partnership with a Mr. 
Miller, under the firm name of Miller & 
Haggard, and they embarked in the retail 
boot and shoe business, which thev carried 
on quite successfully until their store was 
destroyed by fire in 1861. With character- 
istic energy they then rented a small room on 
Vermilion street and put in a stock of boots 
and shoes. Prospering in their business 
they subsequently removed to more commo- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



255 



dious quarters in order to meet the growing 
demands of their trade. The partnership be- 
tween Mr. Miller and Mr. Haggard was of 
comparatively short duration and after it 
was dissolved our subject was alone in busi- 
ness throughout the remainder of his life. 
His brother Edward, who was a shoemaker 
by trade, worked for him in the store until 
the Civil war broke out, when he entered 
the L'nion army and died in Andersonville 
prison. They were the only members of the 
family to come to this county. 

In April, 1859, Mr. Haggard was united 
in marriage to Aliss Charlotte Creamer, who 
was born in Champaign county. Ohio, Feb- 
ruary 21, 1840. Her parents, Moses and 
Margaret (Reed) Creamer, were natives of 
Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively, and 
the father spent his entire life in the Buck- 
eye state, where he died when Mrs. Haggard 
^vas quite young. Her mother subsequently 
married John Moftltt. now deceased, and 
his death occurred in December, 1901. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Haggard were born five 
children : Minnie, a graduate of the Dan- 
ville high school, is now a teacher in the 
public schools of the city and resides at home 
with her mother. Carrie is the wife of John 
Elwood, a civil engineer living in Chicago. 
Ella is the wife of Charles Harmstead, who 
is a dealer in harness, buggies, etc., in Ur- 
bana, Ohio. Grace is the wife of George 
Rearick, a prominent attorney of Danville. 
Royal, the only son, died at the age of two 
years. 

Mr. Haggard continued in active busi- 
ness until a few months prior to his death, 
which occurred on the 7th of December, 
1872, and he was one of the leading shoe 
merchants of the city. He was what the 
world terms a self-made man, for all that 
he had was obtained through his own well 
directed efforts. He began business in Dan- 



ville on capital borrowed from his father and 
his partner, Mr. Miller, but he was soon able 
to pay off this. By untiring industiy, strict 
attention to his business affairs and sound 
judgment he met with well merited success 
in his undertakings and won an enviable po- 
sition in business circles. By his ballot he 
usually supported the men and measures of 
the Republican party, but he never cared for 
otificial honors. Socially he was a worthy 
member of the Masonic order in Danville. 
His widow still makes her home in Danville, 
occupying a pleasant residence at No. 312 
North Hazel street, where she antl her hus- 
band lived for a numlaer of years, and she 
also owns other valuable property in the 
same locality. She is an earnest member of 
the First Methodist Episcopal church of the 
city, and is a most estimable lady of many 
sterling qualities, who has a large circle of 
friends in Danville. 



JOHN W. KEESLAR. 

John W. Keeslar, who is filling the po- 
sition of states attorney in Danville, having 
been elected to the office in 1900, for a term 
of four years, is one of Vermilion county's 
native sons, his birth having occurred on the 
24th of August, 1864. His parents were 
Charles W. and Sarah (Snyder) Keeslar, 
natives of New York and Ohio respectively. 
The maternal grandfather, also a native of 
the Buckeye state, emigrated westward 
with his family in 1849 and estab- 
lished his home in Pilot township, Ver- 
milion county. The father of our sub- 
ject settled in the same township in 1858 
and is li\'ing a retired life there, after many 
years' connection with agricultural pursuits. 
He has also been prominent in public affairs 



2s6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



and from 1878 until 1885 he filled the office 
of chairman of the board of super\isors. 

No event of special importance occurre<I 
to vary the routine of farm life for John \\ . 
Keeslar in his youth. He became a student 
in tile pulilic schools and later continued his 
studies in the University of Illinois, as a 
pupil in the law department of the Illinois 
Wesleyan University of Eloomington ancl 
on the completion of his course he was 
graduated in the class of 1888 and was ad- 
mitted to practice in Dan\ille in 1889. He 
continued in ])raclice until 1899 and formed 
a partnership in that year. In 1900 he was 
elected states attorney. In this office he 
was elected in 1900 as States Attorney. In 
this office he is displaying conscientious re- 
gard for duty and tor the welfare of the com- 
munity. During his term in office he has 
sent more people to the penitentiary than 
from any other county outside of Cook. In 
the prosecution of cases which come to him 
he is diligent and persevering, entering the 
courtroom well jirepared by reason of pre- 
vious study and investigation of the authori- 
ties and percedents bearing on the points in. 
contro\'ersy. While a young man the pub- 
lic and the profession have confidence in his 
ability, because of his native talents, his 
strong indi\idu;ility and an earnest desire 
to succeed, which is manifested in liis wi rk 
in the courtroom. 

In 1 89 1 Mr. Keeslar was united in mar- 
riage to Miss I'"ri"ie Sandusky, a daughter of 
J. C. and Mary J. Sandusky, of Vance town- 
ship. \'crmilion county. Their home is now 
brightened by the jiresence of an interesting 
daughter, Nellie. Mr. Keeslar belongs to 
the Masonic lodge, to the Knights of Pythias 
fraternity, to the Court of Honor and to the 
Modern Woodnian Cam]) of Dan\illc. but 
while he enjoys social life and its pleasures 
and has the bish retrard of manv friends he 



lets no outside inlluence or attractions 
swerve him from the faithful performance 
of his duty. His preparation of cases is 
slKirough and he seems almost intuili\cly to 
grasp the strong points of law, in fact no 
detail seems to escape him and his cases are 
fought with such skill, ability and power 
that he rarely fails to gain the verdict de- 
sired. 



JOSI.\H SANDUSKY. 

Progress and impnn-ement depend upon 
labor and energy, and the upbuilding of 
\'ermilion county was due to the aggregate 
endeavor of men of strong determination, 
unilagging diligence and honorable purpose. 
.\mong this class was numbered Josiah San- 
dusky, who for many years was actively and 
])ron'inently engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. He was a man whose business record 
was unassailable because he did not take ad- 
\antage of the necessities of his fellow men, 
but in the legitimate chamiels of trade 
gained the competence which ultim.ately 
crowned his efforts. 

Mr. Sandusky was born in Carroll 
townshi]), this county, on the iith of Se])- 
tember, 1837, a son of Abraham and Jane 
.Sodowsky. The Sodowsky family was 
founded in .America by James Sodowsky, a 
Polish exile of noble birth, proud spirit and 
lofty patriotism. When his love of lilierty 
could no longer tolerate the despotic rule 
of Russia, he became the leader in a rebel- 
linn against the czar, and when defeated, but 
not subdued, he came to America — "the 
land of the free and the home of the brave." 
Later he married the sister of Governor In- 
sli]i. of the colony of Virginia, and among 
their descendants was Harvey Sodowsky, a 
brother of the subject of this review. In 




^JOSIAH C^AMP,! iC|/ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



259 



the course of years representatives of the 
family changed the spelHng of the name, in- 
cluding the brothers of dur sul)ject. Two 
of these brothers, William and -\braham 
Sandusky, are now prominent farmers andi 
stockmen of Carroll township, Vermilion 
county. Harvey Sodowsky, however, re- 
tained the ancestral spelling of the family 
name. 

The spirit which led James Sodowsky, 
the emigrant, lirst to fight for liberty and 
then come to .America has been manifest in 
his descendants throughout succeeding 
generations. It was sh(nvn by the Sodow- 
skys who fought for the liberty of the colo- 
nists of the new world, and how their hearts 
must hri\e rejiiiced at the glorious outcome 
of the struggle; it was again shown I>y gal- 
lant soldiers of the name in the war of 
1812: and in the subjugation of the western 
wilderness they bore a part. Daniel Boone 
opened the gates of Kentucky and soon he 
was followed into "the dark and bloody" 
region by the grandfather of our subject, 
who settled there just after the close of the 
Re\'ohitionary war. Abraham Sandusky, 
the father, was born in that state and mar- 
ried Jane McDowell, by whom he had eight 
children, of whom Josiah Sandu.sky was the 
youngest. As will be seen some of the mem- 
bers of the family have anglicized the spell- 
ing of tlie old Polish name, while others 
ha\-e retained the original orthography. 

Josiah Sandusky obtained his education 
in the district schools in early youth and 
through reading, observation and experi- 
ence in later years. He became an extreme- 
ly well informed man for he not only read 
broadly but mastered what he read and pos- 
sessed a retentive memoiy. As the years 
passed he gathered a large and well selected 
library with the contents of which he be- 



came very familiar and many of his most 
pleasant hours were spent in the compan- 
ionship of his books. Throughout his busi- 
ness career he carried on general farming 
and stock-raising. He remained at home 
until his father's death, which occurred 
when the son was about twenty^five years of 
age. After this he entered into partnership 
with his brother Aljraham, which connec- 
tion was continued for many years. From 
his father he inherited some land but to this 
he added from time to time until at his 
death he was the possessor of about one 
thousand acres of valuable land in eastern 
lllini.iis. He became one of the best known 
cattle men of the state and at the time of his 
demise possessed one of the largest herd of 
di'.chess cattle in the world. Stock dealers 
would come from all parts of the United 
States and Canada and buy of him, and he 
was also one of the leading breeders of fast 
horses, both running and trotting stock. At 
the sale which was held subsequent to his 
death his horses brought about five thou- 
san<l dollars, while the sale of cattle re- 
turned to the family ten thousand and seven 
hundred dollars. Mr. Sandusky did much 
t(_) improve the grade of stock raised in this 
portion of the state and thereby materially 
advanced prices, thus his labors proving of 
benefit to the entire locality. In the man- 
agement of his alTairs he was careful, syste- 
matic and methodical and above all he was 
strictly honest in every trade transaction, 
lie became one of the owners of the Indian- 
ola Fair Association and he did e\'erything 
in his power to promote the interests of ag- 
riculturists. 

Mr. Sandusky was united in marriage 
on the i8th of December, 1873, to Miss 
Margaret Moreland, a native of Bourbon 
county, Kentucky, and a daughter of 



26o 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Thomas and Catherine T. (Hedges) More- 
land, who were also natives of Kentucky. 
On the paternal side Mrs. Sandusky is of 
Scotch-Irish descent. Her great-grand- 
father, William Moreland, came to Penn- 
sylvania before the Revolutionary war and 
it was his son William who removed to 
Kentucky and in that state married Marga- 
ret Whaley. There he lived at the town of 
Morelandville. in Fayette county, about 
twelve miles from Lexington on the Paris 
and Lexington pike. The village was 
named in his honor and the Masonic lodge 
at that place also bears his name. William 
Moreland and his wile were the parents of 
three sons and a daughter, of whom 
Thomas }Joreland, the father of Mrs. San- 
dusky, was the third in order of birth. 
Thomas Aloreland engaged in breeding and 
dealing in fine horses in Kentucky and when 
his health gave way he came to Illinois, 
hoping here to regain his strength. He set- 
tled in Carroll township, Vermilion county, 
in 1857, but died in 1864. In Bourbon 
county he had married Miss Catherine T. 
Hedges, a daughter of Peter Hedges, a na- 
tive of \^irginia. The Hedges family was 
connected with the nobility of England, be- 
ing descended from Sir Charles Hedges, 
who was promine'nt at the court of Queen 
Elizabeth. The first of che name to come to 
America was Joseph Hedges, who was dis- 
inherited by his father for marrying out- 
side of the nobility, Init he was true to the 
woman \\bom he loved ;nul wedded, a mer- 
chant's daughter. He then brought his 
bride to the new world, settling with the 
Virginia colony at Jamestown. Thomas 
Moreland and his wife became the parents 
of nine children, of whom si.x are now liv- 
ing: Susan .M., the widow of Josiah San- 
duskv: I-"annie 7... who makes her home 



with her elder sister; William H., a resi- 
dent of Paris, Illinois; Peter H., of Indian- 
ola ; John T., of Marshall, Missouri; ajid 
Kate, the wife of Charles Cooper, of Green- 
castle, Indiana. Mr. Moreland died in Jan- 
uary, 1864, and his widow, long surviving 
him, passed away in August, 1897, at the 
age of sixt}-ninc years. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Sandusky 
was blessed with fi\e children, but the first 
born, a daughter, died in infancy, and the 
third, a son also died in infancy. Pearl, the 
second child, is the wife of Forrest Pyne, 
of Los Angeles, California, whom she mar- 
ried on the 29th of October, 1902. Abe 
1 1. and Will J. are at home with their moth- 
er and the latter is attending school in In- 
dianola. 

Josiah Sandusky was a home man and 
was ba])piest when he had his family 
around him. In politics he was a Republi- 
can, but never consented to hold office, pre- 
ferring to de\-ote his energies to his busi- 
ness atYairs and to the enjoyment of the 
I)leasures of the home circle. He passed 
awav Fcbruar\' 13, KjiOI, and was laid to 
rest in tlie Sandusky cemetery in Carroll 
township. The life record of Mr. Sandusky 
covered niore than sixty- two years and his 
history is that of an upright, honoraiile man 
who a!wa}s li\ed at peace with his neigh- 
bors and was trustworthy in all life's rela- 
tions and who enjoyed the un(|nalified con- 
fidence and regard of those with whom he 
was associated. Tlie companionship be- 
tween himself and liis wife was largely 
ideal, their mutual lo\e and confidence in- 
creasing as the years passed liy. He found 
in her a faithful and devoted companion 
and helpmate and was to her a loving and 
considerate liusband. He also gave to them 
a name untarnished b\- anv unwortbv act. 



1 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



261 



GEORGE F. COBURN. 

George F. Coburn, who is a practitioner 
at the VenniHon county bar and makes his 
home in Danville, was born in Brown coun- 
ty, Ohio, December 29, 1841, his parents 
being Francis D. and Nancy (Daulton) Co- 
burn. The father w^as a native of New 
Hampshire, and a son of Jerah Meel Col- 
burn. In colonial days the family name was 
spelled with an "1," but in recent years that 
letter has been dropped from the surname. 
The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
a Revolutionary soldier who fought for the 
independence of the nation, when the yoke 
of British oppression became intolerable. 
He served in the battle of Bunker Hill and 
Concord and was present at the surrender 
of Burgoyne. He \\as a native of Massa- 
chusetts and after the establishment of the 
Republic he reuKn-ed from that state to New 
Hampshire and later to Maine, settling near 
Paris about 1800. In 181 1 he started over- 
land for the new and wild district of the 
west and in 1812 he took up his abode near 
I\Ja}sville, Kentucky, where he spent his re- 
maining days, passing away about 1820, 
when seventy-five years of age, his remains 
being interred in the Maysville cemetery. 
He married Miss Davis, who was born on 
the island of Nantucket and died about 
1823, when seventy-five years of age. 

In his early youth Francis D. Coburn ac- 
companied his parents on their removal to 
the south. In the spring of 1844 he became 
a resident of Vermilion county, locating in 
the southern portion of Danville townsliip, 
where he lived until called to his final rest. 
Flis second wife died May 4, 1847, ^t the age 
of thirty-two years, having been born Au- 
gust 5, 1814. She passed away when the 
subject of this review was only six years of 
age, leaving four children : Lucy, deceased 



wife of Henry T. Kyg'er; Henry; George 
Francis ; and John, now deceased. After 
the death of his first wife Francis D. Coburn 
was united in marriage to Cynthia (Bock) 
Morgan, a daughter of Achilles Morgan, one 
of the pioneer settlers of Vermilion coun- 
ty. Illinois, who died at the house of Mr. Co- 
burn, the father of our subject, on the 20th 
of January, i860, when he had attained the 
age of eig-hty-seven years, six months and 
eleven days. The third marriage of Francis 
D. Coburn occurred in January, 1848, at 
which time both he and his wife were fifty 
years of age. He followed farming through- 
out his business career and was an enterpris- 
ing and progressive agriculturist. He kept 
everything about his place in a neat and 
thrifty condition and was also a prominent 
Mason, a well read man and a gentleman of 
excellent judgment, whose sterling worth 
commended him to the confidence and re- 
gard of all with whom he came in contact. 
His third wife died August 28, 1882, at the 
age of eighty-four years, nine months and 
eleven days. She was an excellent Chris- 
tian woman and a devoted mother to her 
step-children. During the last five years of 
her life she was blind but she bore her afflic- 
tion with Christian fortitude and patience. 
The sick of the neighborhood found her 
verv helpful and her sympathy was broad 
and her charity generous. While she was 
unfaltering in her condemnation of wrong 
she was always quick and willing to aid one 
who had stepped from the path of rectitude 
to return to a course that would command 
respect and confidence. With her husband, 
George Bock, she came from West X'irginia, 
locating in \"ermilion county in 1830. From 
that time until her death she remained an es- 
teemed resident of this portion of the state. 
It was in the year 1843 that George F. 
Coburn was brought by his parents to Ver- 



262 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



milion county, Illinois. U])on tlie home 
farm he was reared and at an early day he 
became accustomed to the tasks of field and 
meadow. Jn the winter nnjnths lie attendc<l 
the common schools, hut during" the summer 
seasons he worked upon the lumie farm from 
the ag'e of ten years. When a youn<^ man of 
nineteen years he began teaching in the 
country schools and was quite successful in 
that work. While thus engaged he devotetl 
his lei.sure hours to the reading of law, mas- 
tering Blackstone in that way. Through 
five seasons, beginning in 1861. he continued 
his work as an educator in the schoolroom 
and during one summer he also taught. In 
i860, when twenty-four years of age he he- 
came a law student in the office of Judge O. 
I-. ]')avis, who directed his studies until. 
having acquired a good knowledge of tlie 
principles of jurisprudence and the methods 
of legal procedure, he was admitted to the 
Vermilion county bar. in March. \X(ij. The 
following summer he opened a law office and 
continued an active practitioner at the Ver- 
milion county bar until the spring of i88g, 
with the exception of the year 18-1, when, 
owing to his father's illness, he was ol)liged 
to return to the farm, remaining there tor 
aboiu a year. Jn 1872, however, he again 
opened his office in Danville. He was 
elected justice of the peace here and served 
for three terms in a capable manner, with 
credit to himself and satisfactiim td his con- 
stituents. He retired from that position in 
1 90 1 and then resumed the private practice 
of law, which he has successfully continued. 
During his serx'ices as justice there came be 
fore him seventv-seven hundred and tliirty- 
one civil cases and thirteen hundred and 
twentv-nine criminal cases, making a total 
of nine thousand and sixty. Flis decisions 
were strictly fair and inipartial and few of 
his rulings were ever reversed. He also 



married five hundred and thirty-two couples 
during that time. 

Mr. Coburn had two children, but Wesl- 
mer F. died June 13, 1877, at the age of 
three years. His married daughter, Mrs. 
Lena C. Dibble, is living in North Stam- 
ford. Connecticut. Mr. Coburn continued 
to make his home in Danville township until 
about twelve years ago, since which time he 
has maintained his residence in the city. He 
has i>ne of the finest libraries in eastern Illi- 
nois and is not only well versed in his profes- 
sion, but has knowledge of Latin, Greek and 
many scientific subjects. He is also largely 
ac(|uainted with history and biography and 
thus his reading has covered a wide range, 
making him a man of scholarly attainments 
and broad general information. He be- 
longs to the Methodist Episcopal church 
and is an active worker in the Siuiday- 
school, having ser\-ed for thirty-four years 
as superintendent and teacher in that 
branch of church work. He belongs to the 
Modern Woodmen organization and was 
l)resident of the local camp some time. 
A nrin of genial temperament, of high moral 
character, of splendid intellectual attain- 
ments and marked ability in the line of his 
chosen profession, George F. C'oburn com- 
mands admiration at the bar and respect 
among his fellow men rnnong whom he has 

so long lived. 

— ■ » » » 

.M'STIX S. PRICE. 

For thirty years Austin S. Price has 
been engaged in the real estate business in 
Dan\'ille and i.s now the land and emigra- 
tion agent for the Frisco System at this 
place. .At eleven .\. m.. on the 13th of De- 
cember, 1833. in comprmy with his father 
and two brothers, he drove into the public 




A. S. PRICE. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



265 



square of Danville, which was then a village 
of five or six hundred inhabitants. Since 
that time he has been interested in the wel- 
fare of the city and has contributed in no 
small degree to its improvements and pro- 
gress, but his efforts have also had a wider 
scope and range .and his labors have been 
an important element in the development of 
various sections of the country, which 
through his labors have largely been 
opened u]i to the work of cultivation and 
improvement. 

Mr. Price is a native of Johnson county, 
Indiana, born on the 26th ni June. 1840, 
his parents being William and Letitia 
( Huston ) Price, both of whom are now de- 
ceased, the father having died at the age 
of seventy-eight years, while the mother's 
death occurred at the age of sixty-seven 
years and the former was laid to rest in the 
cemetery at Danville and the latter in Plig- 
ginsville. The father was a farmer by occu- 
pation and through the tilling of the soil pro- 
\ided for his family, of whom our subject 
is now the <jnly surviving member. Two 
brothers were killed in the Civil war. Ezra 
died as the result of the ninth wound which 
he had sustained, while John's death was 
also occasioned by wounds sustained in 
battle. 

Untler the parental roof A. S. Price, of 
this review, was reared and the public 
schools afforde<l him his educational priv- 
ileges. For about ten years after his arrival 
in Danville he was connected with agricult- 
ural interests in Vermilion county. For a 
time he engaged in the operation of rented 
land and later he owned and cultivated a 
tract of eighty acres. Leaving this county 
]\Tr. Price removed to Indianapolis, where 
for three vears he was connected with a 
brewery. In 1867, however, he returned to 
Danville and for four or five years there- 



after w;is engaged in farming. On the ex- 
piration of that period he took up his abode 
in tlie city and entered the real estate busi- 
ness which he bus since carried on continu- 
ously for about thirty years, save when he 
traveled upon the road for six months, sell- 
ing flour for Mr. Gregg. For a number of 
years Mr. Price conducted a hea\y emigra- 
tion business. At one time he ran a train of 
ten cars of freight and also carried thirty- 
three passengers to Greenbrier, Alabama. 
He has run emigration trains to Mississippi, 
Tennessee, Missouri and Oklahoma, selling 
lands in these states and territories and also 
in Virginia, Kentucky and Iowa. In 1900 
he took up the exclusive work from Dan- 
ville for the F'risco System, handling lands 
in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, 
Indian Territory and Texas. The railroad 
system which he represents owns and oper- 
ates eight tliousand miles of its own tracks 
and is known as the Frisco System. Mr. 
Price says that its tracks through the south- 
west and southeast are nearly as numerous 
as were the cattle paths which used to lead 
through the hazel brush of V'ennilion coun- 
ty forty-se\'en years ago. Mr. Price has 
controlled land which he has had both for 
sale and exchange all along the line of this 
railroad, his real estate being as cheap for 
the purcliaser as were the lands in Ver- 
milion county in the earlv days. The busi- 
ness which he has done has reached an ex- 
tensive figure and he is a trusted representa- 
ti\-e of the Frisco Railroad Company which 
he represents. 

On the 24th of June, 1861, Mr. Price was 
united in marriage at Higginsville. Illinois, 
to Sarah E. Hull, who was born in Indiana, 
February 3, 1843. Fourteen children \nve 
been born of this union, of whom only eight 
are !i\ing. James W., who wedded Mollie 
Weingart, is a real estate agent and 



266 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



draughtsiiian li\iiig in (."(n-inglon. Indiana. 
Henry S., who is married and was formerly 
foreman in the fertihzer works at Wilming- 
ton, Delaware, but is now in Arkansas. 
Austin E.. who married Lillie I'lu^mas, is a 
sign writer and printer of Champaign, Illi- 
nois. John R. is a school teacher in Indian 
Territt)ry. Edgar E. is at home. Evelyn 
is the wife of L. S. Davis, a clerk of Dan- 
ville, by whom she has four children — 
Lewis, Raymond, Russell and Ruth. Al- 
pha is the wife of Theodore M. Eoot. of 
Danville, by whom she has one daughter, 
Madge. Emma E., the youngest, is at 
home. All of the children have been edu- 
cated in the schools of Danville. 

Mr. Price has a pleasant home at N'o. 
11.30 Gilbert street and also has some prop- 
erty on Main street. Pie is a Seventh Day 
Adventist and in his political views is a Pro- 
hibitionist. He has a wide acquaintance 
and is widely known for his progress and 
business ability and for the active interest 
which he has taken in public affairs and in 
the general progress. In manner he is free 
from all ostentation and display, but his in- 
trinsic worth is recognized and his friend- 
ship is most prized by those who know him 
best, showing that his character will bear 
the scrutiny of close acquaintance. He is 
a generous-spirited, broad-minded man, a 
true type of the American spirit and an em- 
l)odiment of that progress which in the last 
few years has drawn to this country the 
admiring gaze of the nations of the world. 



WILLIAM HART. 



William Hart, now deceased, was born 
in Montgomery-, Ohio. February 20. 1832, 
his parents being John and Nancy (Ireland) 
Hart, who were natives of the Buckeye state 



and were of Scotch-Irish extraction. In the 
year 1845 ^^ ilhani Hart accompanied his 
parents on their removal to \'ermilion coun- 
ty and lived with them until he attained his 
twenty-third year. He was reared upon a 
farm in Ohio and this county and remained 
upon the old home place in Illinois until the 
inauguration of the Ci\'il war. In the mean- 
time he had become acquainted with Miss 
Sarah E. Dougherty and on the 6th of De- 
cember, 1853, they were married in Oak- 
wood township. Slie was born August 15, 
1833, '" Vermilion county and was reared 
upon the Jordan place. Her parents were 
Maybury and Nancy (Hickman) Dougher- 
ty, pioneer settlers of Vermilion county w ho 
entered land from the government and here 
de\eloped a farm. Her mother rode horse- 
back from Brown county, Ohio, carrying a 
babe in her arms, this child being now Mrs. 
Littler, a resident of Oakwood township. 
Mr. Dougherty drove a four-horse team 
hitched to a prairie schooner and thus the 
family made the westward journey in the 
year 183 1. Mrs. Hart now has in her pos- 
session an old bureau and cupboard that 
were made by hand and were owned by her 
tnother. These she cherishes as mementoes 
of her parents and as relics of pioneer times. 
L'nto Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty were born 
three daughters and a son : Mrs. Melinch 
A. Littler, of Oakwood township; Mrs. 
Sarah E. Hart; Mrs. Margaret Jeffers, of 
\''ermilion county; and Jacob B., who died 
during the Civil war. He enlisted in the 
Union army and being taken ill i)assed away 
nine days after leaving the hospital at Keo- 
kuk. Iowa. 

Mrs. Hart was married in her twenty- 
first vear and with her hus1)and she went to 
his father's farm, where he engaged in gener- 
al agricultural pursuits, there living until af- 
ter the president issued his call for loyal men 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



it-j 



to aid in suppressing tlie rebellion of the 
south. He then enlisted in Company G, One 
Hundred and Twenty-tifth IIHnois Infantry 
and he too was taken ill while in the service 
and died of bone erysipelas in the hospital 
at Nashville, Tennessee. He had enlisted in 
September, 1862, and had participated in the 
battle of Perrysville. He was appointed ser- 
geant and held the rank of second lieutenan.t 
at the time of his death, which occurred on 
the 2d of April, 1863. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hart have been ijom 
five children : John, who is living on the 
old family homestead: Samuel, who is rep- 
resented on another page of this work ; Mrs. 
Mary E. Watkins, of Oakwood township ; 
William, who is an invalid living with his 
mother ; and one that died in infancy. Mrs. 
Hart has twenty-five grandchildren and one 
grea t-grandch i Id . 

At our subject's death Mrs. Hart was 
left with the care of her children, the eldest 
of whom was but nine years of age. ohe 
has since carried on agricultural pursuits 
with the assistance of her sons, and she pur- 
■chased forty-eight acres of land to which she 
has added another tract of forty acres, so 
that she now has a good farm that yields 
rich crops, bringing to her an excellent finan- 
■cial return. In the early days she was noted 
for her spinning and weaving and her life 
Tias always been one of earnest industry and 
toil. She can remember well when corn was 
hauled to Chicago and sold for fitteen cents 
per bushel, while com in the shock was sold 
for six cents per bushel. The country was 
full of deer and all kinds of game and during 
her childhood days Indians were very nu- 
merous in this portion of the state. She can 
remember attending church with her fa- 
ther's family seated upon a sled drawn bv 
oxen, James Ashmore being the first preach- 
er. She also tells of the earlv settlers bor- 



rowing fire from a neig-hlx)r if their own fire 
went out. She has cooked many a meal at 
the eld fashioned fireplace long before cook- 
stovts came into general use and has made 
candles which were the only means of illum- 
ination in her girlhood days. She still makes 
a few of these' in order to have them to carry 
an lund the house. In her girlhood days she 
frequently attended campmeeting and can 
remember when as a little maiden she would 
carry her shoes to Sunday-school, putting 
tliem on just before entering the meeting 
house and removing them after the school 
was adjourned. Such were the pioneer con- 
ditions which surrounded the family at an 
early day, and Mrs. Hart has witnessed the 
development of the county throughout the 
passing years, taking great interest in what 
has been accomplished and the improved 
methods of work and of living which have 
been introduced. 



JOHN GOODWINE, Jr. 

John Goodwine, Jr., resides on section 
I, Middlefork township, and is familiarly 
called "Jack" by his numerous friends in 
\'ernu'lion county. He is one of the sul> 
stantial farmers and stock dealers of this lo- 
cality and owns and operates a farm of fif- 
teen hundred acres of well improved land, 
pleasantly situated within about a mile of 
Potomac. He is a native son of Illinois, his 
birth having occurred in this county De- 
cember 2, 1848, his parents being John W. 
and Jane (Charlton) Goodwine. A sketch 
of the father appears on another page of this 
work. The subject of this review was reared 
to manhood in his native county, spent his 
boyhood days on the old home farm and in 
the common schools he acquired his educa- 



268 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



tioii, also attending W'arren Academy in In- 
diana. W'lien al)out nineteen years of age 
he left home ad started out on his own ac- 
count. He was engaged in herding stock 
and in other work until 1870. 

On the 22<\ of Dcccmher. US70, Mr. 
(i<3()(hvine was united in marriage to Mary 
K. Alexander, who was horn in Middlefork 
township and is a daughter of John C. and 
Esther .Ale.vander, who were among the 
first settlers of the county. The young 
cuple hegan their domestic life upon a 
farm. Mr. Goodwine hegan U) improve the 
place upon which he now resides. The happy 
married life of the young coui)le was of 
short duration, however, for on the jgth of 
Octoher, 1872, Mrs. Goodwine passed away. 
After her death the husband went west to 
Colorado, where he remained until the fol- 
lowing year, returning then to Vermilion 
county. On May 14, 1874. he was united 
in marriage to Lidora A. Lane, a daughter 
of R. 1 1. and Mary Lane, who came to Ver- 
milion county from Ohio about 1864, the 
daughter being reared and educated in this 
county. Mr. Goodwine took his wife to his 
farm whereon he is yet li\-ing and at once 
hegan to culti\'ate and improve the place. 
He commenced here with about five hundred 
acres of land which was partiall_\- inipro\'C(l. 
Mis father has since given him more land 
and he has also purchased seven hundred 
acres, 9.0 that tfi-day his farm is a \ery ex- 
tensive one. embracing fifteen hundred 
acres. He has erected a good and substan- 
tial residence, commodious bam an<l out- 
buildings, has planted an orchard, has tiled 
and fenced his place, haxing o\er thirt\'-five 
miles of tiling on the farm. In connection 
with the cultivation of grain he is engaged 
in raising and feeding stock, fattening on an 
average of from one to two hundred head of 
cattle annuallv and also a large number of 



hogs. He is now making a specialty of 
short-horn and double standard polled Dur- 
ham cattle and has a nice herd of some sev- 
enty-five head. He also has a new breed of 
hogs called ''American thin rind swine." 
riiey are \ery prolific and good feeders an<l 
his stock has always found a ready sale on 
the market. Mr. Goodwine is one of the 
first breeders of this stock of hogs in the 
country and also one of the most extensive. 
Some of his hogs were placed on exhibition 
at the Chicago Interstate .Swine Show, in 
December, lyoi . where he took a good many 
premiums. • 

The home of Mr. Goodwine was blessed 
witli one daughter, horn of his first mar- 
riage, .Anna, now the wife of L. D. Lane, a 
farmer of X'ermilion county. Ten children 
graced the second marriage, but they lost 
three of the number. Those still living are 
as follows: John W., who is cashier of the 
Goodwine Bank at Armstrong, of which our 
subject is the owner; W'illmr 11., who is 
married and resides on a farm in Middlefork 
township: L'lys.ses S., Cora. Everett. Vesta, 
and Wayne, all at home. The children de- 
ceased are. Xora. who died at the age of 
eight years, and \'ill;i. at the age of two, 
while one died in infancy. The first two 
passed away in 1886. dying of diphtherii 
only four days apart. Politically Mr. Good- 
wine was formerly identified with the Re- 
pul)lican party for a number of years. He 
has ever !)ccn a stanch temperance man and 
a behe\'er in the princi]des of i)rohibition and 
for a number of years he has now been iden- 
tified with the Prohibition party. He has 
never wanted or sought office, preferring to 
give his attention to his f;u-ming and exten- 
sive business interests. In the fall of 1002. 
however, lie was the Prohibition nominee 
for the legislatine. Mr. Goodwine has been 
a resident of A'ermilion countv almost con- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



269 



tinuously for nearly fifty-four years and has 
witnessed the wonderful growth and devel- 
opment of the county. He has seen the 
swamps and sloughs drained, the prairies 
broken and fenced, the roads constructed 
and the towns built up. Jamesburg is built 
on the farm where he was born, in Blount 
township. Mr. Goodwine has always been 
a loyal and progressive citizen and at the 
time of the Spanish- American war he be- 
gan raising a company, of which he was to 
have been captain, but was disappointed in 
his patriotic desire on account of the sud- 
den termination of the war. He is well 
known in Danville and throughout the coun- 
ty as a man of tried integrity and worth, 
who has met with splendid success in busi- 
ness affairs and everything that he under- 
takes he carries forward to successful com- 
pletion. He has thus become one of the sub- 
stantial business men of the township. In 
all trade transactions he has ever been found 
honorable and trustworthy and those who 
know him — and his friends are many — en- 
tertain for him high regard. 



JAMES KNIGHT. 

James Knight, deceased, was for many 
years numbered among the leading and hon- 
ored citizens of Danville, where he con- 
tinued to make his home until called to his 
final rest. He was born on the 12th of May, 
1832, at Rouse Point, Clinton county. New 
York, his birthplace being near Lake Cham- 
plain, and he was a son of Dr. James and 
Alice (Henderson) Knight, who were na- 
tives of Edinburg, Scotland, whence they 
emigrated to America after their marriage, 
locating at Rouse Point, New York. The 
father, who was a physician, engaged in the 

12 



practice of his profession there up to the 
time of his death. Our subject was the only 
son of the family to come to Vermilion 
county, but he has one brother, Alexander 
Knight, who came to this state and is now 
living in Centralia, Illinois. Another 
brother brother, Rol>ert Knight, is a resident 
of Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Our subject acquired his early education 
in the common schools of his native state 
and there grew to manhood. Coming west 
in 1857 lie first located in Springfield, Il- 
linois, and soon afterward became identified 
with the building of the Wabash Railroad, 
being overseer of construction for a time. 
In 1858 he took up his residence in Dan- 
ville and had charge of a construction train 
here for a few years until the completion of 
the road in this section. In the capacity of 
of conductor he ran the first train into Dan- 
ville over the Wabash road, his run for 
some time being between this place and 
Ouincy and later between Danville and To- 
ledo. He remained in the train service until 
1865, when he was made station agent for 
the same company at Danville, and held that 
position for several years. On leaving the 
railroad company Mr. Knight embarked in 
the boot and shoe business, which he carried 
on for some time and later turned his atten- 
tion to real estate, Iniving and selling all 
kinds of city property in Danville, but his 
last days were spent in retirement from 
business at that place. 

In i860 Mr. Knight was married in 
Danville to Miss Mary Elizabeth Probst, 
who was born in this city, December 20, 
1836, and is a daughter of James and Nancy 
(Barnes) Probst, natives of Pennsylvania 
and Kentucky, respectively. Her father 
came to Dan\'illeat a ver\ early day when the 
Indians were still numerous in this locality. 
In his younger years he followed the tail- 



270 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



or's trade, Imt later discdnlinucd business in 
order to devote his entire time to his ot^cial 
duties. For some time he served as constable 
in Danville and suhsequently filled the office 
of sheriff of Vermilion county for a number 
of years and also count}' treasurer. After 
leaving office he lived retired up U> the time of 
his death. He was a \ery pri )minenl and high- 
ly respected citizen of Danville, with whose 
interests he was closely identified for many 
years. Unto Mr. and Airs. Knight were 
also l)orn three children, as follows: Charles 
F., who now holds a position with the Lartz 
Wall Paper Company, of Chicago, and re- 
sides in that city; Alice, wife of B. H. Bab- 
bit, business manager for the Albert Peats 
Wall Paper Company, of Chicago ; and 
Grace, who is at home with her mother. The 
family ha\'e a beautiful home at 204 Frank- 
lin street and occupy an enviable position in 
the social circles of Danville. 

In politics Mr. Knight was a staunch 
Republican, Init he never cared for the hon- 
ors or emoluments of public office. Socially 
he was connected with the Masonic order, 
being a charter member of the Commandery 
of Danville, and was also a Knight of 
Honor and was a prominent luember of both 
lodges. In 1863 he went to California and 
was identified with railroad work. After 
a useful and well spent life he passed quietly 
away on the 22d of October, 1900, honored 
and res])ected by all who knew him. In busi- 
ness affairs he was prompt, energetic and 
notably reliable, and generallv carried for- 
ward to successful completion whatever he 
undertook. At his death he left consider- 
able priii)ertv which his widow still owns, in- 
cluding several business blocks on North 
street near the .^etna Hotel, the Byers lilock 
and also much valuable property on Wahnit 
street and sixteen and a half acres near Lin- 
coln Park. Those who knew Air. Knight 



intimately speak in unqualified terms of his 
sterling integrity, his honor in business and 
his fidelity to all the duties of public and 
private life. His death occasioned the deep- 
est regret throughout the community and 
Danville thereby lost one of its most valued 
citi/ens. Mrs. Knight is a member of the 
l'resl)yterian church and is a charming lady 
whose gracious manner wins her many 

friends. 

*—*■ 

SAMUEL BLACK. 

.Samuel Black is a retired farmer living 
in I'ithian. Lie was born in Warren coun- 
ty, Indiana, August 30, 1837. His grand- 
father, John Black, was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania and served his country as a loyal .sol- 
dier in the war of 1812. At an early day 
he came to Kentucky and in the year 1834 
he was killed by an elephant while attending 
the circus at Covington, Indiana. James 
Black, the father of our subject, was born 
in Kentucky and in early manhood went to 
Indiana, where he became acquainted with 
and wedded I'diza .\nn Odell. a native of 
Xew "S ork, who was descended from Hol- 
land ancestry. They located upon a farm 
in \A'arren county. Indiana, where James 
Black devoted his time and attention to ag- 
ricultural pursuits until 1856. He then 
c.ime to \'ermilion county, settling in Oak- 
wooil township, three miles northwest of 
Fitliian. Purchasing land he lived thereon 
until his death, which occurred in 1894. 
His wife had passed away in 1882. They 
were consistent members of the Methodist 
F.jiiscopal church and Mr. Black was first 
a Whig in politics and afterward a Repub- 
lican. In their familv were ten children, of 
whom four are yet living: John, a resident 
of Butler countv, Kansas; Samuel, of this 




SAMUEL BLACK 




MRS. SAMUEL BLACK. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



275 



review; Harriet, the wife of William Jen- 
kins^ who resides 011 the old home place 
jiortliwest of Fithian ; and Rebecca, the wife 
of Oliver Thomjpson, whose home is four 
miles northwest of Fithian. 

In early life Samuel Black suffered 
greatly from ill health. He is to-day, how- 
ever, a man of robust manhood, weighing 
two hundred and forty pounds. In early 
life he engaged in farming and his pur- 
•chases of land made him the owner of two 
hundred acres in Oakwood township. 
Throughout his business career he carried 
on its cultivation and improvement and 
when his labors had brought to him a com- 
fortable competence he put aside farm work 
in 1892 and removed to Fithian, where he 
is now living retired in a splendid home 
which he purchased. 

On the 25th of March, 1858, Mr. Black 
was united in marriage to Priscilla McCarty, 
the wedding taking place near Muncie, Illi- 
nois. The lady was born in that locality, 
August 14, 1840, a daughter of John and 
Miriam (Sewell) McCarty, both natives of 
■Ohio. They were married in the Buckeye 
state and there lived upon a farm until their 
removal to Oakwood township, Vennilion 
■county, Illinois, about 1840. There they 
lived until called to their final rest, the fa- 
ther passing away in 1880 and the mother 
in 1901. He was a Democrat and served 
his fellow townsmen in the offices of con- 
stable and justice of the peace. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Black were born 
nine children : William, who resides in the 
province of Alberta, British Columbia, 
where he follows farming, married Mattie 
Mansfield and they have five children. 
Mar}' Alice is the wife of John McKinney, 
who is serving as deputy sheriff of Cham- 
paign county and resides in Urbana. and 
they have five children. Minnie became the 



wife of Myron I'aylor and afterward mar- 
ried Jesse Blue, a resident of Nebraska, 
by Avhom she has two children, while two 
two children were born of her first mar- 
riage. George, who is in the employ of the 
Chicago Si Eastern Illinois Railroad Com- 
pany and resides in Danville, married Clara 
Anderson and has three children. Frances 
married Alois Rueb and with their three 
children they reside in Chandler, Oklahoma. 
James died at the age of fifteen years. John 
married Grace Kirkpatrick and is living in 
Fithian, Illinois. Abbie Florence is the wife 
of \V. W. Soward and resides in Fith- 
ian. They have two children. Charles 
is married and has one child. His home is 
now in Collins, Iowa. In February, 1891, 
Mr. Black was called upon to mourn the 
loss of his first wife, who was laid to rest 
in Steams cemetery. On the 27th of No- 
vember, 1894, in Catlin, Illinois, he wedded 
JVIrs. Jennie (Kistler) Harper, who was 
born in Pennsylvania in 1850, a daughter 
of AT. F. Kistler, a native of the same state. 
By her first marriage she had one son, 
Charles Harper, who is now residing in 
Catlin. Mrs. Black was one of a family of 
eight children born of her father's first mar- 
riage and by his second marriage there were 
two children. Mr. Kistler was a Republi- 
can in politics and was a member of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian church. 

When the country became involved 
in civil war, Mr. Black laid aside all per- 
sonal considerations, and in August, 1861, 
enlisted in Company F, Twenty-sixth Illi- 
nois \^olunteer Infantry. When his first 
term expired he re-enlisted in the same com- 
pany and regiment and during his four 
years' service participated in fifty-four bat- 
tles. These included the siege of Atlanta, 
the siege of Corinth and the battles of Cor- 
inth, Goldsboro, Holly Springs, Island No. 



2/6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



lO, Jackson, Mississippi, Kenesaw Mount- 
ain. Mission Ridge, Resaca and Vicksburg. 
He was also with Sherman on the cele- 
brated march to the sea and was in the 
grand review at Washington, D. C. Al- 
though in so many engagements, Mr. Black 
was fortunately never wounded or injured 
in any way. It is estimated that he marched 
six thousand nine hundred and thirty-one 
miles during his service. The war having 
ended he was mustered out on the 22d of 
July, 1865, and finally discharged at 
Springfield, Illinois. 

Mr. Black sometimes supports the Re- 
publican party and at other times votes the 
Prohibition ticket, being a strong temper- 
ance man. He served as road commissioner 
one term but has never been a politician in 
the sense of office seeking. He l)elongs to 
the Methodist Episcopal church and is serv- 
ing as one of its trustees. In the enjoyment 
of a well earned rest, he is now living re- 
tired in Fithian and is one of the respected 
citizens of that locality. 



ZACHARIAH ROBERTSON. 

Zachariali Robertson has reached the 
eightieth milestone in life's journey and to- 
day he is numbered among the highly re- 
spected citizens and pioneer settlers of \'er- 
milion county, his home being on secticm 
3''), .Vewcll township, where he owns one 
hundred and fi\-e and a half acres of land. 
He was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, 
October i, 1822, a son oi Zachariali and 
Elizabeth (Jones) Robertson, who were 
also natives of Harrison county. Zachariah 
Robertson, .Sr., was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionarv War. When our subject was 
twelve years of age the family came to \'er- 



milion county, Illinois. The father was 
married a second time and had nineteen 
children altogether. Mr. Robertson of this 
review has one sister living. Mrs. Delilah 
Starr, the widow of Solomon Starr. She is 
the second survivor of a family of ten chil- 
dren. When the Robertsons came to Il- 
linois they made the journey overland in an 
old time "prairie schooner," camping out by 
the wayside at nights. Our subject waded 
the Wabash river driving the stock through. 
When they arrived here deer was plentiful 
and there were many prairie chickens, 
cranes, ducks and wild turkeys. Hunting 
and fishing were sports in which the settlers 
might easily indulge and find good reward 
for their expenditure of time. Zachariah 
Robertson, Sr., lived to be ninety-four years 
of age, dying in Newell township on the land 
where Bismark now stands. There his wife 
also passed away. Mr. Robertson entered 
forty acres of land and upon this he built 
a log cabin. He was numbered among the 
pioneers who felled the forests and broke the 
prairie, thus pa\ing the way for civilization 
and laying the fountlation for the present 
progress and prosperity of the county. 

Zachariah Robertson of this review pur- 
sued his education in one of the old time log 
schoolhouses in which an immense fire- 
])lace occupied an entire end of the room. 
The seats were formed of slabs, resting upon 
wooden pins and the desks which were used 
were similarly constructed. In the summer 
months Mr. Robertson assi.sted in the work 
of the home farm. At the age of nineteen 
years he left school altogether and began 
working in the neighborhood as a farm 
hand, being thus employed for several years. 
He then rented land for a time and after- 
ward entered fifty-two and one-half acres 
of wild prairie for which he had to ])ay 
one dollar and a halt per acre. Willi char- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



277 



acteristic energy he began to break and im- 
prove this and to the property he has added 
from time to time until he now has one hun- 
dred and five and a half acres. He manu- 
factured his first plow which had a wooden 
mold board and the next was a single shovel 
plow. He first cut his grain with a sickle 
and afterward with a cradle. He knew the 
use of a crane from practical experience and 
would light the fire with flint. It was the 
custom to always keep a fire burning and if 
it would go out one would often visit a 
neighbor and borrow a little fire. The old 
dipped candles were used for illuminating 
purposes before kerosene was used. When 
the young girls would go to church they 
would carry their shoes until they neared 
the house of worship, when they would sit 
down upon a log and put them on before 
entering the meeting. Such were pioneer 
customs and conditions but while the early 
settle'rs had to endure many hardships and 
privations they also experienced many 
pleasures which are not known at the pres- 
ent time. Through the greater part of his 
active life Mr. Robertson carried on gen- 
eral farming but is now largely living retired, 
leaving the care of his place to his sons. In 
early days he made several trips to Chicago, 
taking produce with him and it required 
twelve days to go and come. He would 
sleep out upon the ground at night by the 
side of his wagon. There were many 
sloughs and ponds, creeks and rivers to be 
forded. He saw Chicago when it was but a 
village and Danville a mere hamlet. Church 
was first held in the home of Peter Starr 
and afterward in a log schoolhouse. In his 
father's family there were eleven daughters, 
who aided materially in furnishing the 
family with clothing. Mr. Robertson would 
take the sheep to the creek and wash them 
and after this thev were sheared and the 



wool carded, then the daughters would take 
their place at the spinning wheel and thus 
the family clothing was supplied. Mr. 
Robertson has ever taken a deep interest in 
general progress and improvement, in the 
building of good roads, in the establishment 
of churches and schools and in the develop- 
ment of farms. He has served as township 
commissioner of highways and as school 
director and has ever been active and help- 
ful for the general good. 

On the 25th of August, 1842, Mr. Rob- 
ertson wedded Abigail Starr, a daughter of 
Peter Starr. She was born in Preble coun- 
ty, Ohio, July 8, 1824, and by her marriage 
she became the mother of the following chil- 
dren : Priscilla J., the wife of Jacob Deek; 
Mrs. Rachel Mesmore; Celina, who was 
scalded to death when about seven years of 
age; Jacob, who married Melissa Britting- 
ham: Peter, who wedded Belle Byers; Cath- 
erine, the wife of William Cox; Maggie, 
the wife of John Smith; Isaac, who married 
Irene Cox; William, who wedded Clara 
Ringel ; James, who married Rebecca Phil- 
lips, and died in 1901 ; Anna, the deceased , 
wife of William Chumley; and Delilah and 
Solomon, twins, who died in infancy. The 
mother dqparted this life December 25, 
1877, when about fifty-two years of age. 
She was a devoted mother, a model wife 
and earnest Christian woman and thus she 
left to her family an untarnished name. Mr. 
Robertson is well preserved for a man of his 
years. His eyesight and physical faculties 
are scarcely impaired and he possesses the 
vigor of a man of much younger age. He 
has always voted the Democratic ticket and 
has long been one of the standard bearers 
of the party in this locality. At the age of 
sixteen years he became a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church and has since 
been identified therewith, serving as a class 



278 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



leader and as superintemlent (jf tlie Sunday 
school for a number of years. He has long 
been numbered among the substantial, hon- 
ored and respected citizens of Newell town- 
ship and in tliis V(jlume well deserves men- 
tion. 

•-•-• 

HENRY B. KESTER. 

Mure than a halt century ago Henry B. 
Ke-Ster became identified with building in- 
terests in Danville and to-day there stands 
in the city a building which he erected in 
185 J. Other structures of his building may 
also be seen as the visible evidence of his 
life of thrift and industry. At the present 
time he is living retired, making his home 
at No. 7j8 Wayne street. He came to this 
county on the 2d of May, 1850. 

A native of West Virginia, he was born 
in Clarksburg, that state. May 28, 1828, his 
parents,, George and Al)igail (Bennett) 
Kester, being also natives of Clarksburg. 
Tile father there resided imtil 1831, when 
he removed to Morrow county, Ohio, set- 
tling on a farm which was his home until 
his death. His widow afterward came to 
\'ermilion county and spent her last days 
here. Of their eleven children, but four are 
living, the eldest being Henry B. The oth- 
ers are: Mary, the wife of Thomas Math- 
ews, a resident of Hoopeston. Vermilion 
county; Russell B., a resident of Vermilion 
county; and Sarah J., the wife of James 
Whitbeck, of Lawrence, Kansas. Those 
who have passed away are : .Mexander, 
Josiah, Sinmn. Mihon, Hester A.. William 
and Harriett. 

When about three years of age Henry 
B. Kester was taken by his parents to Mor- 
row county, Ohio, where he pursued his 
education in the common schouls. He then 



learned the carpenter's trade in Mt. Gilead, 
following it at that place for about four 
years. On the expiration of that period he 
came direct to Danville, arriving on the 2d 
of May, 1S50. He soon secured employ- 
ment as a carpenter and as a contractor was 
early recognized as one of the leading rep- 
resentatives of his line of business in this 
city. He erected some of the first liuildings 
here and his patronage steadily increased as 
the \ears passed In- until he employed a 
large force of workmen to assist him in exe- 
cuting his contracts. 

On the 5th of ]May, 1S53, Mr. Kester 
was united in marriage to Catherine 
Umphenour. who was born near her hus- 
band's boyhood home in West \'irginia. 
Her father, George Umphenour, was an 
early settler of Danville and followed farm- 
ing in this localitv until his death. Se\'en 
children lia\e been l)orn unto Mr, and Mrs. 
Kester : Charles Edwaril, who died in in- 
fancy; George Franklin, deceased; Albert 
Eugene, who married Martha Lynch and is 
a carpenter of Danville; Henry Lewis, who 
died in childhood; Francis E., who mar- 
ried Flora E. .Ailsworth and is a train dis- 
patcher on the \'v'abash Railroad at Deca- 
tur, Illinois; and (jeorge W. and Minnie, 
who died in childhood. 

After his marriage .Mr. Kester contin- 
ued contracting and building until the 6th 
of I'cbruary, i8()5, when he joined Com- 
pan\- E, One Ilundred ami I'orty-ninth Illi- 
nois Regiment, under the command of Cap- 
tain Laferty and Colonel W. C. Kcifner. 
This company did garrison duty until after 
the close of the war and at Dalton, Georgia, 
on the 27tli of January, 1866, Mr. Kester 
was honorably discharged. He then re- 
turned to Danville, resumed his former 
business interests here and until his retire- 
ment continuouslv followed his trade with 




H. B. KESTER. 




MRS. H. B. KESTER. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



28.3 



the exception of the years 1881 and 1882, 
which he spent in Florida as a pattern-mak- 
er for tiie Florida Southern Raih'oad Com- 
pany. In 1883 he again took up his resi- 
dence in Danville and in connection with 
his buikling- interests he also worked in a 
planing mill here until 1899, when he re- 
tired from business to enjoy a comfortable 
competence which had been secured through 
indomitable energy, perseverance and close 
application to the work in which, as a young 
tradesman, he embarked. In that year he 
built his present home which he has since 
occupied. He has held a few minor offices 
such as school director, but has never been 
a politician in the sense of office seeking. 
He votes with the Democracy on cjuestions 
of national importance but at local elections 
votes independently of party ties. A prom- 
inent and influential member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church of Danville, he served 
as one of its class-leaders for several years. 
His life history illustrates most happily for 
the purpose of this work, that success is not 
a matter of genius but the outcome of judg- 
ment and experience and that an upright 
character commands respect and regard in 
this country which is not hampered by caste 
or class. 



W. H. CURRENT. 



W. H. Current, who is engaged in grain 
dealing in Indianola, was born in East Dan- 
ville, on the 4th of September, i860, a son 
of J. M. Current. He pursued his educa- 
tion in Danville and in the country schools, 
putting aside his text books when eighteen 
years of age. He afterward devoted his en- 
tire attention to work upon his father's farm 
until he v>-as twenty-three years of age, when 
he was married and started out in life for 



himself. On the 29th of November, 1883, 
he wedded Miss Lavina Gibson, who was 
born in Vermilion county, September 13, 
1863, their wedding being celebrated at her 
home southwest of Fairmount. Her father 
was Thomas Gibson, a native of Marion 
county, Illinois. The home of uur subject 
and his wife has been blessed with four chil- 
dren : Bertha M., born February 15. 1887; 
Fred F., born July 29, 1889; Clara I., born 
August 15, 1893; and Seymour M., born 
August 24, 1896. 

After his marriage Mr. Current located 
on a farm near the old home place and there 
resided continuously until 1892, when he re- 
moved to Fairmount where he worked for 
his father, who was engaged in the grain 
trade. In 1899, ho\\ever, his father sold 
out to the firm of Hill & Crow, and removed 
to Homer, Champaign county, Illinois, 
where he is now engaged in the grain trade. 
In 1898 Mr. Current of this review came to 
Indianola, arriving on the 12th of Decem- 
ber. Here he purchased the Downey ele- 
vator and has since carried on the grain 
trade on his own account, handling a large 
quantity of corn and other cereals each year. 
He owns eighty acres of land four miles 
southwest of Fairmount, and his property 
possessions also include city real estate. He 
is likewise agent for a number of insurance 
companies and his varied business interests 
are successfully conducted, so that he is now 
regarded as one of the prosperous residents 
of his community. Politically he is an earn- 
est Republican and is a member of Ver- 
milion Lodge. No. 265. A. F. A. M.. of In- 
dianola, the Benevolent and Protectixe Or- 
der of Elks, of Danville, the Modern Wood- 
men of America and the Fraternal Army. 
He is also connected with the Royal Ameri- 
cans and in two of these lodges, the Masonic 
and Fraternal Armv, he has filled the office 



284 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



of secretary. He belongs to the Methodist 
Episcopal church of Indianola ami is serv- 
ing; as one of its trustees and stewards. His 
life has been quietly passed in the faithful 
performance of the duties of public and pri- 
vate life in the direction of his business and 
in the ])roniotion of measures or movements 
calculated to advance the general welfare. 



A. H. CLUTTER. 



.\. H. Clutter, who is now li\ing a re- 
tired life in Sidcll, was for many yeru's ac- 
tixely and prominently associated with 
farming interests in Vermilion county. He 
is also nunil)ered among the early settlers of 
Illinois, dating his residence in the state 
from 1853. so that through almost a half 
century he has been a witness of the de\-el<ip- 
ment and progress which has placed this 
great cummnnwealtli in the frmit rank nf the 
galaxy of states which forms the Union. 
Mr. Clutter is a native of Pennsylvania, his 
birth h;iving occurred in Greene cnunty, 
January i. 1840. His father. Abraham 
Clutter, was born in W'ashington county. 
Pennsylvania, in 1785, and the grandfather 
of our subject. John Clutter, was a nati\'e of 
New Jersey and served his country as a sol- 
dier in the war of the Revolution. The 
family is of German lineage and was found- 
ed in Xew Jersey at a \-ery early epoch in 
American history. hVom his nati\e state 
John Clutter removed to Pennsylvania 
where he lived to the ripe old age of ninety 
years. Abraham Clutter was there reared 
to manhood, and after reaching years of ma- 
turity he wedded Lydia W'inget. a native 'of 
Ohio and a daughter of Stephen W'inget. 
who removed from Ohio to Pennsylvania, 
A farmer by occupation, .\braham Clutter 



followed that pursuit in order to provide for 
his family whom he reared upon a farm in 
Greene count}-, Pennsyhania. He died in 
]March, 1843. in th prime of life. His wife, 
surviving him for a long period, carefully 
reared her family to whom she was a most 
devoted mother. A. H. Clutter of this re- 
\iew is one of a family of seven sons and 
seven daughters, all of w-hom grew to ma- 
ture >-ears and reached advanced ages, al- 
though the subject of this review and one 
si.ster are now the only survivors, she be- 
ing Mrs, Mary Elliott, a widow who is re- 
siding in Ohio, \\'est \'irginia. 

In the county of his nativity A. H. Clut- 
ter was reared upon his father's farm. He 
received but limited school privileges, but 
his training in the work of field and mead- 
ow was not limiteil. When a young man 
he came to the west, arriving in Illinois in 
1855. He joined his three brothers who had 
previously located in \'ermilion cotinty ami 
here be Ijegan work as a farm hand for one 
of his brothers by wdiom he was employed 
for three years, at feeding and caring for 
the stock. In August. 1861, Mr. Clutter 
and there took charge of the home farm 
which he continued to operate for eighteen 
years, purchasing the interest of the other 
heirs in the old homestead which he suc- 
cessfully conducted. He was married in 
(h-eenc county in October, 1863, to Miss 
Mary Miller, who was born, reared and edu- 
cated there and engaged in teaching prior 
to her marriage. Her father, Joseph Miller, 
was one of the early settlers of Greene 
county. 

In 1881 Air. Clutter returned to \'ermil- 
ion county. Illinois, and located on the .\sa 
Daniels farm near .-\rmstrong. superintend- 
ing that place. Subsequently he became su- 
perintendent of the Hiram Sibley farms in 
\'ermilion county, acting in that capacity 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



285 



for six years. He then rented land and en- 
gaged in farming on his own account until 
1895, when he purchased a lot in Sidell 
and erected thereon a nice residence. He 
afterward sold that property and he has pur- 
chased and improved other property. At 
the present time he is living retired, enjoying 
a well merited rest, for his life has been one 
of industry and earnest toil. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Clutter was 
blessed with ten children, of whom two sons 
and three daughters are yet living: Joseph 
Reed, who resides in North Dakota upon a 
farm, and is married, and has two daugh- 
ters and a son; Nevada, the wife of Robert 
Phillips, a druggist of Springfield, Illinois ; 
Fannie, the wife of M. E. Pancoast, a con- 
tractor and builder of Danville, by whom 
she has two sons and a daughter; Jcjhn, a 
resident farmer of Sidell township, who is 
married and has two sons ; and Nettie, who 
is occupying a business position in Omaha, 
Nebr.'iska ; Thomas Miller,^ who w as edu- 
cated in this county and was one of its suc- 
cessful teachers. He died January 27, 1903, 
at the age of twenty-three, lacking three 
weeks. Of the children who have passed 
away, the first born died at the age of four 
years. \Villiam died at the age of eighteen 
years. Jennie grew to mature years and 
passed away at the age of twenty-four. Ida 
became the wife of James Morrison and died 
at the age of twenty-eight years. 

Politically Mr. Clutter has been a life- 
long Democrat, having cast his first presi- 
dential vote for General George B. Mc- 
Clellan in 1864, and for each nominee of 
the party since that time. In local elections 
however, he has always been independent, 
supporting the men whom he thinks best 
qualified for office regardless of party affili-, 
ations. He was elected and served for one 
term as a member of the town board, filling 



the position for three years, and he is now 
ser\'ing as police magistrate of Sidell. He 
also served for a number of years on the 
school board and did effective service in pro- 
moting the cause of education. Forty- 
sev'en years ago he came to Illinois, casting 
in his lot among the early settlers of Ver- 
milion county at a time when the work of 
progress and improvement had scarcely 
been begun here. There were large herds of 
deer and venison was no rare dish upon the 
board of the early settlers. There were also 
wild geese and other wild game, and wolves 
were frequently killed, but all these have 
disappeared and the swamps and sloughs 
ha\'e been drained, the prairies broken and 
fenced and the work of cultivation carried 
on until now- this is one of the garden spots 
of the great state of Illinois, famed through- 
out the nation as an agricultural district. 
He has also witnessed the introduction of 
the railroad, the telegraph and telephone, 
and along many lines of improvement and 
progress he has assisted materially, taking 
a deep interest in what has been accom- 
plished here. 



MRS. ANN E. SMITH. 

For almost sixty-nine years this lady has 
made her home in Vermilion county and has 
therefore witnessed nearly the entire growth 
and development of this section of the state, 
her familv being pioneers here. She has 
seen the wild lands transformed into fine 
farms, while towns and villages have Sprung 
up and developed into flourishing cities with 
all the luxuries and advantages of the older 
east. 

Mrs. Smith is the widow of Edwin 
G. Smith, who was also one of the early set- 
tlers of the county, having located here in 



286 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1848. He was a native of England, boni 
in 1825, and was a son of Joseph Smith, who 
was also born in that country and with his 
family came to iVmerica in 1848. On land- 
ing in this country he made his way direct to 
Vermilion county, illincMs, where he en- 
gaged in farming until his death. 

Edwin Giles Smith was reared and edu- 
cated in his native land, lieing nearly grown 
on the emigration of the familv to the new 
world. J-le had previously learned the 
blacksmith's trade and after coming to Dan- 
ville, he followed that occupation through- 
out the remainder of his life, but he was not 
long permitted to enjoy his new home as he 
died on the 5th of October, 1854, at the early 
age of twenty-nine years. His political sup- 
port was always given to the Democratic 
party. He was a very industrious, energetic 
and enterprising man and had already at- 
tained a fair degree of success when called 
to the world beyond. 

In Danville was celebrated the marriage 
of ]\Ir. Smith and Miss Ann E. Greggson. 
who was also born in England, October 24, 
1827, her parents being George and Ann 
(Hazeldine) Greggson, natives of the same 
country-, where the father was employed as 
a shepherd. In 1834 he brought his family 
to America and took up his residence in Ver- 
milion county. Illinois, where he died the 
following year. Of the two children born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Charles E., the 
older, died in October, 1854, and Edwin G., 
who became a prominent druggist of Dan- 
ville, died in 1890. The father was a char- 
ter member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge 
of Danville, and Mrs. Smith is a faithful 
member of the I'irst Methotlist Episcopal 
church. She owns and occupies a nice home 
at No. 305 North Hazel street and has other 
valuable property in Danville, including a 
residence ;it No. 307 the same street. She 



is widely and favorably known in the city 
where she has so long resided and has a host 
of warm friends who esteem her highly for 
her sterling worth. 



EK.VXCIS GALNES. 

I'rancis Gaines scarcely needs an intro- 
iluction to the readers of this volume. He 
was a ]iarticipant in pioneer e\-ents. as well 
as those of later-day progress, and thus with 
the "Past and Present of \'erniilion Coun- 
ty'' he has lieen identifietl. improving the 
business opportunities wliich the county has 
offered to its citizens, and in return render- 
ing valuable aid in the work of improvement 
and progress here. For many years he was 
engaged in general farming and stock-deal- 
ing, but since 1883 has lived retircil in In- 
dianola, where he has a commodious and 
pleasant home. His circle of acquaintances 
is a wide one and all who know him are glad 
to claim the friendship of this honored man. 

Mr. Gaines is a native of Ohio, his birth 
ha\ing occurred in Clark county, near 
South Charleston. July _'8. 1823. His 
parents were Alexander and Mary (Chris- 
pin) Gaines, the former a native of \'ir- 
g'inia and tiie latter of New Jersey. The 
Chrispin family was of German lineage and 
the (iaines family in America is descended 
from Irish ancestry and was represented in 
the patriot army during the war of the Rev- 
olution. Benjamin P. Gaines, the grandfa- 
ther of oin- subject, went to Ohio in pioneer 
times, becoming one of the first settlers of 
Greene county. He was a shoemaker by 
trade and \\ould travel from house to house, 
making shoes for an entire family, and then 
proceed to the next house on his route. 
The farmer would take his hides to the tan- 




FRANCIS GAINES. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



289 



ner, returning home with the tanned leath- 
er, preparatory to the visit of the shoemak- 
er. Benjamin P. Gaines hved to be about 
seventy-five years of age and followed his 
trade to the last. 

Alexander Gaines spent his entire life 
in Greene county, Ohio. Settling in the 
midst of a heavily timbered district he be- 
gan to clear a farm. He did not follow the 
cultivation of grain to any extent but gave 
his attention to the cattle business, first 
making his purchases in Ohio and later in 
Indiana and Illinois. He would come to 
this state, purchase two or three hundred 
head of cattle and then- drive them to the 
east, selling in the markets of either Ohio or 
Pennsylvania. lie continued to engage ac- 
tively in the cattle business until seventy- 
five years of age, when he retired to pri- 
vate life, having in the meantime removed 
to Cedarville, Greene county, Ohio, where 
his last days were passed. He died Sep- 
teml>er, 1886, and had he lived another 
month he \\'Ould have reached the age of 
eiglity-six years. He was regarded as one 
of the leading cattle men of Ohio, his excel- 
lent judginent concerning stock enabling 
him to make very judicious investments, 
and thus in his business he prospered. 
Unto him and his wife were born eleven 
children, of whom six are yet living, but 
none are residents of Vermilion county 
with the exception of our subject and his 
brother Jonathan, who was the fourth in 
order of birth and is now a resident of Car- 
roll township. Another brother, James, is 
one of the large landowners and prosperous 
residents of Edgar county, Illinois. The 
mother died in 1882, at the age of eighty- 
five years. 

The conditions which surrounded Fran- 
cis Gaines in his youth were those of most 
farmers' boys. He had, perhaps, more op- 



portunities than some and less than others. 
Altog'ether his early youth was a period of 
earnest toil for he was the eldest of the six 
sons of the family and his services were 
needed on the home farm. He had to begin 
plowing before he was ten years of age and 
he used a wooden mold board to turn the 
furrows. His educational privileges were 
e.xceedingly limited. He had to go two 
miles to school and after wading through 
the snow that distance would sit all day in 
wet boots. The schoolhouse was built of 
logs and had a puncheon floor, slab benches, 
and a plank placed on pins driven into the 
wall served as a writing desk. There were 
no l:)lackboards and the text books were 
quite primitive. In one end of the room 
was an immense fire-place that would ac- 
commodate a six-foot log. Mr. Gaines was 
eleven years of age before he mastered the 
alphabet and most of his knowledge has 
been gained through observation, reading 
and experience, but possessing an observing 
eye and retentive memory he became a well 
informed man ere he had been in the busi- 
ness world many years. As a boy and 
youth he was always busy. His father be- 
lie\'ed in keeping his sons employed and 
when the work of the fields was over they 
were sent into the timber, so that there were 
few leisure moments that fell to their lot. 
The only coats \\-hich Francis Gaines had up 
to the time he was twenty-one years of age 
were woven and made by his mother, who 
spun and wove for her entire family. In 
early life the father had learned the tailor's 
trade and after working hard all day he 
would return home at night and assist his 
wife in cutting and making clothes for the 
children. 

In February, 1842, Mr. Gaines came 
with his father to Illinois, visiting Edgar 
and A^ermilion counties, where thev bought 



290 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



two luindred head of cattle, which they 
drove to market in Lancaster county, Penn- 
syhania. It required alx)ut sixty days to 
make the trip to tlie east. Danville was then 
a little village with few improvements. 
James Gaines and our suhject came west in 
1846 and herded a bunch of cattle for his 
father for four months, the father propos- 
ing to give his sons half the proceeds for 
their assistance, so when the cattle was sold 
the}' found that they each possessed three 
hundred dollars, having sold them for four- 
teen dollars and fifty cents apiece. .\s Fran- 
cis Gaines had married the year before he 
and his wife started west with four cows and 
twenty head of sheep. They left their Ohio 
home in .August. 1847. accompanied by his 
sister and her husband, who had a similar 
outfit. On arriving in Vermilion county. 
Mr. Gaines took up his abode in a house 
Axliich his father had purchased for him a 
short time before. Immediately after his 
arrival he entered forty acres of land and 
his father had purchased eighty acres for 
him. Four years later he bought one hun- 
dred and si.xty acres that his father had en- 
tered, lie made his first two payments 
with the [iroceods on corn which he sold at 
twelve and a half cents per bushel, which 
was a good price in those days. Mr. Gaines 
Udw has three hundred acres of \alu.il)le 
land on sections 32 and 33, Carroll town- 
slii]). 

On the 27th of Novemlx^r, 1845, Mr. 
Gaines was married to Mary J. McFar- 
land, daughter of Arthur McFarland. one 
of the early settlers of Greene county, Ohio. 
They became the parents of se\en children, 
but onlv two reached mature \-ears. Sarah 
A. is the wife of F. D. Neblick, who is 
farming on her father's land, ami they have 
three children. Dale, Mabel and Edith. Ed- 



mund B., the son, resides near \'irginia 
Hill, Montana, and has three children, For- 
rest. Raymond and Beulah. Mrs. (iaines 
died on .\i)ril 20. 1871, and on the 29th of 
October following Mr. Gaines wedded Mrs. 
Josei)liine Gaines, a daughter of Leonard 
and Catherine ( Ikuim ) Patterson and the 
widow of his brother William. The only 
child of this marriage died in infancy. By 
her first husband Mrs. Gaines had a .son, 
Frank, who is engaged in farming in Car- 
roll township. He married Ada Kilgore 
and has one child. Buena Lillian. Mrs. 
Gaines was one of seven children and the 
eldest of the three now lix'ing, the others 
being; Emm;i, wife of William A'anneman, 
of Ridgefarm. Illinois; and John Harvey 
Patterson, who resides on the old Patterson 
homestead in Carroll township. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gaines are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church of Tndianola, to 
which he has lielonged for fifty-two years 
and for a half century he has been steward 
and also a trustee. For many years he voted 
the Democratic ticket but is now a Prohi- 
bitionist. He served as school director for 
twch'e years, was commissioner of high- 
ways three years, was school trustee six 
years and was elected supervisor but refused 
to serve. Until 1883 Mr. Gaines lived upon 
his farm and then built a commodious resi- 
dence in Indianola, which he has since oc- 
cujiied. Here through the past twenty 
years he has lived retired from active Ijusi- 
ness, having for more than a quarter of a 
century been an active factor in the agricul- 
tural circles of the county. His trustworthi- 
ness in business made his word as good as 
any bond c\er solemnized by signature or 
seal, and his uprightness in all life's rela- 
tions has commanded for him uniform con- 
fidence and regard. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



291 



J. A. INGLES, M. D. 

Not to know Dr. Ingles, of Hoopeston, 
is to argue one's self unknown. He has for 
many years practiced here and his kindly 
manner, deep sympathy and sincere interest 
in his fellow men, combined with his medical 
skill, have made him the loved family phy- 
sician in many a household. He traces his 
ancestry back to 1750, when the family was 
founded in America by representatives of the 
name who came from Scotland to the new 
world. The grandfather of our subject was 
James Ingles who settled in Beaver county, 
Pennsylvania, there carrying on the occupa- 
tion of farming. When the country became 
involved in war with the mother country he 
joined the American army and fought for 
the independence of the nation. His death 
occurred in Beaver county when he had at- 
tained the advanced age of ninety-three 
years. 

The Doctor's father was born in the 
same county and became a minister 
of the Associate Presbyterian church. 
As a pastor of that denomination he la- 
bored largely in northern Indiana, but 
his death occurred in Edina, Missouri, in 
1864, when he was sixty-six years of age, 
his birth having occurred in 1798. His wife 
bore the maiden name of Eliza J. Hillis and 
was born in Madison county, Indiana. Her 
father being Judge David Hillis, a distin- 
guished citizen of an early dav who served 
as judge of the circuit court and later rep- 
resented his district in congress. He was a 
civil engineer by profession and did much 
of the surveying of the state of Indiana, be- 
coming a pioneer settler of Jefferson county. 
Not only did he render his country service in 
civil life but also in military circles was he 
known as a defender of the best interests of 
his nation, for he served in the war of 1812. 



He was the only member of his family who 
ever took a prominent part in politics, but the 
judge was recognized as a leader of public 
thought and action in his community and he 
left the impress of his individuality upon the 
place of his residence. His daughter, Mrs. 
Ingles, died on the 31st of August, 1893, 
when more than eighty years of age. In 
their family were four children, James, J. 
A., Sarah and Ealy. 

Dr. Ingles, whose name introduces this 
record, attended the district common schools 
of Indiana and worked for his father until 
the spring of 1864, when he started out upon 
an independent business career. Wishing to 
make the practice of medicine his life work 
he prepared for this calling as a student in 
the .Starling Medical College, of Columbus, 
Ohio, which he entered in 1868. There he 
remained for two years, after which he be- 
gan practice in southern Illinois, being lo- 
cated for twenty years at Morea. Continu- 
ing his reading he secured a certificate of 
practice from the state board of health in 
1878 On the 19th of September, 1889, he 
came to Hoopeston, where he opened an of- 
fice and has since remained, devoting his at- 
tention to medical and surgical work. He 
has a fair share of public patronage and his 
ability is being continually augmented by his 
reading and research in the line of his pro- 
fession. 

In Parke county, Indiana, in 1861, Dr. 
Ingles was united in marriage to Miss Amy 
S. Ramsay, a native of that state. They 
now have four children, David W.. who is a 
barber, of Portland, Oregon, and married 
Carrie Chaffee : John S.. who is express agent 
on the Illinois Central Railroad at Paxton, 
this state and married Marguerite McCoy : 
Harry E., a plumber, li\ing at home; and 
Amy Grace, the wife of J. F. Mitchell, of 
Oklahoma. 



292 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



The Doctor resides with liis wife and son 
on Soutli Market street, where he lias a 
pleasant home. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican. He is a member of the Tri-County 
Medical Society. For about three months 
he was in the United States service during 
the Rebellion, being connected with the Fif- 
tieth Missouri Mounted Infantry as a mem- 
ber of Company A. under the command of 
Colonel Wirtz. The regiment was in the 
eastern part of the state, doing scouting duty 
to protect against bushwhackers, being en- 
gaged in chasing Quantrall's band most of 
the time This was in the latter part of 
1864. The Doctor is a man of many estima- 
ble qualities. His quiet, easy manner is cer- 
tainly an excellent characteristic for a physi- 
cian, in whom there should be no evidence 
of nervousness or excitability, quiet l>eing an 
essential of the sick room. He has, too, a 
cheery manner and sunny disposition which 
have rendered him popular with a large cir- 
cle of friends who also know him as a physi- 
cian of wortli. 



ANDREW H. KIMBROUGH, M. D. 

Among the citizens of Danville whose 
genuine worth and many excellent qualities 
have endeared them to their fellow men is 
Dr. Andrew II. Kimbrough, whose position 
in the public regard is not less the result of 
his professional power than of his irre- 
proachable private life. The Doctor is a na- 
tive of Hardin county, Kentucky, born on 
the 27th of February, 1823. He is descended 
from good old Revolutionary stock, his an- 
cestors having taken part in the war which 
brought independence to the colonies. The 
line of descent can be traced back directly 
on the father's side to General Ethan Allen, 



the distinguished commander of Vermont 
troops. Richard Cahin Kimbrough, the fa- 
ther of our subject, was a native of North 
Carolina and became a soldier in the war of 
I Si 2. He w-as wounded at the battle of 
Horseshoe Bend, his arm being almost en- 
tirely severed by the Indians. He was also 
in the battle of New Orleans. It was during 
the progress of the war of 1812 that the 
Kimbrough family was founded in Ken- 
tucky, the settlement being made near the 
birthplace of Lincoln, in Hardin county. In 
that locality resided the family of Colonel 
Morrison, who was an uncle of Dr. Kim- 
brough. Richard C. Kimbrough was united 
in marriage in Hardin county, Kentucky, to 
Jane Morrison. He was a tanner by trade 
and in Kentucky he purchased a farm of one 
hundred and sixty acres which he continued 
to cultivate for some time. At length, how- 
e\er. he removed to Edgar county, Illinois, 
where he lived until his death, which oc- 
curred in 1S33. In his political affiliations 
he was a Democrat and in his religious faith 
was a member of the Christian church. His 
wife long survived him and died on the ist 
day of June, 1876. In their family were 
four children, three of whom reached years 
of maturity, but the Doctor is the only one 
who now survives. 

In taking up the personal history of Dr. 
Kimbrough we present to our readers the life 
record of one who has a very extensive ac- 
quaintance in Vermilion county and who is 
honored by all who know him. He was but 
a boy when taken by his parents to Edgar 
county, Illinois, where he acquired his lit- 
erary education. Determining to make the 
practice of medicine his life work, he then 
entered the Jefferson Medical College, in 
which he was grailuated in the spring of 
1858. He took up the subject of medicine, 
however, in 1842, and removed to Paris, Illi- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



295 



nois. ^ He then practiced for four months. 
In the year of his graduation he located in 
Georgetown, \'ermihon county, and in 1873 
he came to Danville, where he practiced con- 
tinuously and successfully until igoi, when, 
•on account of his age and health, he was 
compelled to retire. He ever kept abreast of 
the times with the best thinking men of his 
profession. He read and studied extensive- 
ly and had the ability to apply with accuracy 
and benefit to his fellow men the knowledge 
that he had acquired. He is a member of the 
Vermilion County Medical Society, the 
State Medical Society, the National Medical 
Society and he was one of the charter mem- 
l:)ers of the Vermilion County Medical So- 
ciety. The Doctor has been very prominent 
in the Odd Fellows fraternity of which he 
has been a member for fifty-one years, being 
one of the oldest representatives of the or- 
ganization in the state. For sixteen years 
he was elected high priest of the order and 
for many years he has been a valued repre- 
•sentative of the Knights of Honor. In pol- 
itics he is now a warm Democrat and while 
he has always kept well informed on the is- 
sues and questions of the day he has always 
refused to accept public office, preferring to 
devote his time and energies to his business 
affairs which have been of an important 
■character and extensive proportions. 

On the 14th of March, 1847, "^ar Mar- 
shall, Clark county, Illinois, the Doctor was 
united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ashmore, 
who was born in that county April 10, 1820, 
a daughter of Amos Ashmore, whose birth 
occurred at Greenville, Tennessee. Her 
mother bore the maiden name of Patience 
McGuire, and was a native of Marion, Penn- 
sylvania, in which place she was married. 
Mr. A.shmore was the first white child born 
in Greenville and Jived in an old cabin there. 
His father entered eleven hundred acres of 



land on Duck river, in Kentucky, but lost it 
through' war claims. The great-grandfather 
of ^Irs. Kimbrough was a professor in the 
University of Edinburg, in London, and a 
clunTh and street of that city were named in 
his honor. Her grandfather was born in 
London to which place his parents had re- 
moved from Scotland. Her grandfather 
McGuire was born on the ocean when his 
parents were crossing the Atlantic to Amer- 
ica. They were strong Catholics and fled 
from the Emerald isle during the period of 
the persecution of the Irish people. Both the 
paternal and the maternal grandfather of 
Mrs. Kimbrough served in the Revolution- 
ary war under Washington. Her father was 
an own cousin of Sam Houston, the libera- 
tor of Texas, and was said to resemble him 
greatly in personal appearance. A farmer 
by occupation, he also engaged in taking 
contracts for the construction of public 
roads. For a time he resided near Newman, 
Tennessee, but before the birth of his daugh- 
ter he removed to a place five miles from 
Terre Haute, Indiana, thence going to Clark 
county, Illinois. Later he became a resident 
of Georgetown, "V^ermilion county, and died 
in Elwood township in 1863, at the age of 
eighty-one years. His wife had passed away 
in 1 86 1. In his political faith he was a Jack- 
son Democrat and in religious belief was a 
Presbyterian. Mrs. Ashmore had four 
brothers who were Presbyterian ministers. 
One of these. Rev. Stephen Balch, was chap- 
lain of the first congress that convened after 
the election of George Washington to the 
presidency of the United States. At his 
death his remains were interred in the Con- 
gressional cemetery at Washington. Mrs. 
Ashmore is also a distant relative of Gen- 
eral ^^'ayne and it is said personally re- 
seml:)led him. Mr. Ashmore in the paternal 
line was a lineal descendant of Rev. Wither- 



2<ji 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



spoon, a Presl)\tei"ian minister and one of 
the signers of the Declaration of Independ- 
ence. Mrs. Kimbrouf^h now recounts many 
events of the Kevuhitionary war wliich she 
heard from her own people and if written 
would make a very interesting volume. She 
says that the Indians were very numerous in 
this state during her early girlhood, and she 
was personally acquainted with a number of 
noted chiefs, including Killbuck who traded 
with the whites. She came to Vermilion 
county in 1858 and from that time forward 
has been a resident of this portion of the 
state. She was one of a family of ten chil- 
dren, three sons and seven daughters, but 
onlv three of tlie number are now living: 
]\Iargaret, who is the widow of Rev. Isaac 
Bennett and resides in St. Louis, Missouri ; 
Mrs. Kimbrough ; and Mary, the widow of 
Rev. Preston W. Thompson and a resident 
of Macomb, Illinois. Unto the Doctor and 
his wife have been born three children : Lau- 
ra, at home ; Eugene R. E. and Ardilla. The 
son has been a member of the state legisla- 
ture for two terms — 1878 and 1879, and was 
mayor of Dan\-ille for one term. When he 
was but a boy he said he was going to have 
three diplomas and he w'on the first from 
Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, of 
Chicago, the second from the State Univer- 
sity in 1873 and the third upon his admission 
to the bar. He was one of the leading ora- 
torical contestants in the State University. 
He married Julia C, a daughter of Senator 
Tincher, and they reside in Danville, where 
he now owns a half interest in the Temple 
building'. Their only child is deceased. 

Dr. Kimbrough and his wife celebrated 
their golden wedding anniversary on the 
16th of March, 1897, when they were ten- 
dered a magnificent reception at their Vjeauti- 
ful residence bv relatives and friends who 
presented them with more lovely and costly 



tokens of esteem than have ever been given 
at a wedding party in Danville. Guests to 
the number of one hundred and thirty were 
assembled and the occasion was a most en- 
joyable one. I'or the past twenty years this 
worthy couple have attended the Presbyte- 
rian church and they are now living in their 
attractive home in Danville and in the even- 
ing of life arc surrounded by many warm 
friends and by all that goes to make life 
comfortable and worth the living. Devoted 
to each other as they were in the days of their 
courtship, their mutual love and confidence 
has increased as the years have gone by and 
none of the older couples of this city are held 
in higher esteem or are more greatly beloved 
by their friends than are Dr. and Mrs. Kim- 
brough. 



ABRAHA.M MANX, Sr. 

While Danville is indebted to the men 
of the present lor w hat they are accomplish- 
ing for her welfare and further upbuilding 
she can never repay the debt of gratitude 
w hich she owes to the pioneers of the coun- 
ty, the men who coped with the natural 
conditions, who bravely faced the hardships 
and difliculties ever incident to frontier life 
and who laid broad and deep the fountla- 
tion for the present i)rogress and prosj)erity 
of this section of the slate. In the year 
1832 Abraham Mann, Sr.. made his way 
into the interior of Illinois, here to bear an 
important part in the founding of the coun- 
tv, and yet he was not the first of the name 
who [)enetrated into the wild of the Missis- 
sippi valley and aided in opening up this 
great section of the country for the uses of 
civilization. His father had preceded him 
into the ceiUral section of the coimtry and 
these honored pioneers wrought along lines 




ABRAHAM MANN SR. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



297 



of the greatest good, not only for their own 
generation but for their posterity. 

John Mann, the father, was a native of 
England and came to America wlien this 
country was still counted among the colonial 
possessions of Great Britain. He belonged 
to a London firm dealing in paints and oils, 
and in the interest of the firm he came to 
the new world, locating first in New Or- 
leans. From that point he penetrated into 
the interior at an epoch when few settle- 
ments had been made upon either side of 
the Mississippi from the source to the 
mouth. However, he proceeded up the Fa- 
ther of Waters in a canoe, passed stretches 
of country that extended along the river 
bank for miles unmarked by any habitation 
or indication of the ownership of the white 
race. He was one of the first to make his 
way up the stream and he penetrated into 
the interior of the country as far north as 
St. Anthony's Falls, which later became St. 
Paul, Minnesota, trading with the Indians 
and shipping his cargoes down the Missis- 
sippi to the Crescent City. After the Revo- 
lution congress gave him grants of land in 
Louisiana and New York to the amount of 
thirty thousand acres to compensate him for 
the losses which he suffered because of the 
hostilities. Later he returned to England 
and spent his last days in London. 

Unto John Mann and his wife Elizabeth, 
on the 4th of October, 1785, was born a son 
to whom they gave the name of Abraham. 
The place of his nativity is Leighton-Buz- 
zard, Bedfordshire, England, and in that 
country he was reared and educated, be- 
coming connected with agricultural pur- 
suits, which he followed continuously until 
his emigration to x^merica in 1832. The 
new world, which had attracted his father, 
also proved of interest to him, and desirous 
of making his home beyond tJie water he 

13 



sailed with his family for the United States, 
taking passage at Liverpool on a sailing 
vessel which after a voyage of seven weeks 
reached the harbor of New York. From 
that place he started inland, in company 
with his brother-in-law, Joseph Smith. 
They made their journey by way of the 
Great Lakes to Detroit, Michigan, where 
they purchased saddle horses and rode 
across the country to Vermilion county, 
settling near Danville, which was then but 
a hamlet. For miles around stretched the 
wild prairie, most of it still in possession of 
the government, and Mr. Mann entei;ed a 
claim of si.x hundred and forty acres, on 
which he built a pioneer home — a log cabin 
— that stood near the present residence of 
his son until a few years ago. In the meant- 
time, however, a commodious and attractive 
frame residence had been erected and into 
this the family moved, theirs being one of 
the fine country seats of the county. The 
work of cultivation, development and im- 
provement was pushed forward rapidly up- 
on the farm under the supervision of Mr. 
Mann, and as he found opportunity he en- 
tered other land from time to time until 
he had several thousand acres. He brought 
with him to the new world the advanced 
ideas of farming of the old country and 
combined with this was his ready adapta- 
bility to new conditions and surroundings. 
He not only kept abreast with the times 
but was a leader in the working of advanc- 
ing agricultural interests and was equally 
prominent in regard to public affairs per- 
taining to the upbuilding of the count}'. 

Ere leaving his native land Mr. Mann 
was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann 
Smith, who was born in England, April 15, 
1 791, a daughter of Thomas and Mary 
Smith, also born in the same country. Her 
father died September 8, 1839, at the age of 



298 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ^ 



sixty-eight years and nine months. Unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Mann were born tour chil- 
dren : ^lary Ann, born in Leighton-Buz- 
/card, England, July 14, 1823, died Febru- 
ary 5, 1890. Abraham is the only surviv- 
ing member of the family and his sketch is 
given in this work. John Thomas is also 
represented elsewhere in this volume; and 
Katherine was the fourth member of the 
family. 

It would be almost impossible to give 
a complete account of what Abraham Mann, 
Sr., did for \'ermilion county. Aside from 
his work in bettering agricidtural contli- 
tions here, he labored earnestly and effect- 
ively for the general welfare along moral, 
intellectual and social lines. He burned 
the brick to build a residence upon his farm 
but as there was no church in the locality, 
he used this brick for the erection of the 
chapel which still stands on the homestead 
premi-ses. It is nicely equipped and church 
services are still held therein. In religious 
faith he was a ]\Iethodist and he took an 
active interest in the work of the church 
and the extension of its influence, con- 
tributed generously to its support and by 
precept and example taught the power of 
Christianity. He would never consent to 
liold i)ublic office, although in every other 
way possible he labored to benefit the coun- 
try and promote its upbuilding. A man of 
considerable artistic taste, he delighted in 
the beautiful works of art and when but a 
l)(iv ho displax'ed considerable skill in that 
direction by drawing a map of England in 
1800. This was done in Bedfordshire and 
is a magnificent piece of work, now in pos- 
session of his son, Abraham Mann. Jr. He 
had business interests in his native country 
as well as in America, being connectetl with 
a large comjiany that jwssessed landed min- 
ing interests in the new world. 



Mr. Mann died Octoljer 19, 1875, '^^ l''^' 
Jiomc in this county, and Jiis wife passed 
a\\a\- September 13, 1839. both beir.g in- 
terreil in the cemetery on the old family 
homestead. He was a man of sterling rec- 
titude of character and of integrity above 
question, of even temperament, of refinetl 
character — one in whom nature and culture 
\'ied in making an honored and interesting 
gentleman. During the formative period, 
the crucial epoch in the history of \'ermilion 
county, he stood as the promoter of every 
measure tending to make a firm foundation 
for the later-da V ])rogress and improvement 
and the impetus which he gave to all that is 
good, beneficial and noble, is still manifest 
in his influence over the lives of those with 
whom he came in contact. 



ESTHER E. B RAX HAM. 

The estin:able lady wlu) bears this name, 
is a resident of Indianola, Illinois, and the 
widow of .Vnnanias Branham. She was 
l)orn in Monroe county. Indiana, .\pril i. 
1839. and in her maidenhood bore the name 
of Esther E. Sunimet. her ])arents being 
Jacob and Esther ( Kerb\- ) Summet. who 
were the parents of the following named 
children : Jeremiah C, who was killed in 
the Civil war. in 1862: Alice C. Everroad, 
who died in March. 1886; Esther E., of 
this review: William .\.. a real-estate dealer 
in Kansas City. Missouri, who have five chil- 
dren : Henry, a stone mason of Xeodosha, 
Kansas, who has three children and was a 
soldier of the Ci\il war; and Emily, who 
died in 1873 and was the wife of James 
\\'akefield. a soldier of the Civil war and a 
farmer bv (Kcupation. 

On the 5th of April, i860. Esther E. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



299 



Summet became the wife of Annanias Braii- 
ham. He, too, was a native of Monroe 
county. Indiana. Their wedding was cele- 
brated while the tocsin of war was sounding, 
and a year and a half after their marriage, 
true to the call of his country, Mr. Bran- 
ham left his young wife with her people 
and joined the Twenty-second Indiana \^ol- 
unteer Infantry. For three years he served 
his country faithfully and well, and then, 
when his services were no longer needed he 
recei\ed an honorable discharge and returned 
to his home. From Indiana, Mr. and Mrs. 
Branham removed to Edgar county, Illinois, 
in 1870, and in 1875 they settled on a farm 
near Indianola, where they remained until 
Mr. Branham's death, which occurred Au- 
gust 19, 1894. Mrs. Branham remained on 
this farm until November 26, 1901, when 
she removed to the village of Indianola, 
where she now resides with her three sons, 
Walter, Lawson and Frank. For thirty- 
four years Mr. and Mrs. Branham lived to- 
gether in happy wedded life, sharing the 
joys and sorrows, the prosperity and advers- 
ity which fall to the lot of all. When Mr. 
Branham was called away the community 
lost a good citizen and the family a devoted 
husband and father. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Branham 
was blessed with the following children : 
Florence, aged forty-one, is the wife of Ed- 
ward Massie, of Boise, Idaho; Elmer E., 
thirty-seven years of age, married Ella Stew- 
art in December, 1897, and had two children, 
but both are now deceased. Kerby E., thir- 
ty-four years of age and a carpenter of In- 
dianola, married Melinda Martin, April 11, 
1900. He served as a soldier of the Spanish- 
American war. Walter, aged thirty-two 
years, resides at home with his mother. 
Hazel O. is the wife of George Byer, a 



farmer of Georgetown, Illinois. She is 
twenty-eight years of age and they have one 
little daughter, aged six years. Lawson, 
aged twenty-five years, is a prosperous young 
merchant of Indianola, and resides at home 
with his mother. Frank, also at home, is 
twenty-two years of age. 

For a quarter of a century Mrs. Bran- 
ham has been a resident of Vermilion coun- 
ty ; and she has always been highly regarded 
here for her genuine worth of character. 
Her sons and daughters are worthy citizens 
of their respective communities and Mrs. 
Branham has the high esteem of all with 
whom she is associated. 



J. J. HEALY. 

A large and well equipped department 
store of Indianola is the property of J. J. 
Healy, and his business career is one which 
has ever been creditable and honorable. At 
the same time he has achieved success and 
his lifehistory shows that prosperity may be 
gained through persistent and well directed 
effort. Mr. Healy was born in Boston, Mas- 
sachusetts, November 25, 1855, and is a son 
of Patrick and Mary (Tracy) Healy, both 
of whom are natives of Ireland, the former 
born in county Tipperary and the latter in 
county Limerick. Their marriage was cele- 
brated in Boston, both having come to Amer- 
ica in the year 1845. The father was em- 
ployed as a stationary engineer in the east 
and afterward removed to Chicago, where 
both he and his wife died, his death occurring 
in 1896, while his wife passed away in 1893. 
The father was a Democrat in his political 
views. In the family of this worthy couple 
were five sons and one daughter, and of this 



300 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



number the following are living: J. J.; 
William and Thomas, who are employed in 
the Chicago postoffice; and Elizabeth and 
Dennis, who are residents of Chicago. 

J. J. Healy pursued his education in the 
Skinner school of Chicago and from an early 
age was dependent upon his own resources 
for a living. When still quite young he 
worked during the day, attending school at 
night, thus paying for his own education 
for five years. He had begun work wlien 
but a youth of nine summers, carrying brick 
for the building of sewers in Chicago on the 
bulkhead. For three years he worked dur- 
ing the summer and attended school in the 
wimer. He next went to St. Joseph. Mis- 
souri, when he was fifteen years of age, and 
there he continued his education at the same 
time following any employment that would 
yield him an honest dollar. His determina- 
tion to secure an education was proof of the 
strong character which would develop with 
the passing years. He engaged in teaching 
school for four years in St. Joseph and then 
returned to Chicago, where he was employed 
as a salesman and bookkeeper in a commis- 
sion house on South Water street. After 
filling that position for about two years he 
went to work for F. Salter, with whom he 
remained for four years. He continued to re- 
side in Chicago until the latter part of 18S2, 
when he came to Indianola, where he en- 
gaged in merchandising. This business In 
has continued to the present time. He has 
a very large dep;irtment store which is 
hea\ily stocked with everything found in a 
first class establishment of this character. He 
carries drygoods, boots and shoes, groceries, 
and even farming implemaits and machin- 
ery', and his patronage is extensive. His 
business methods are such as require no dis- 
guise and will bear the closest in\estigation, 



and because of his honorable ilealing and 
his marked industry he has won very credit- 
aljle success. He has an interest in the opera 
lK)use here and owns an elegant modern res- 
idence which is built in the Queen Anne style 
of architecture and fitted up most tastefully. 
In Chicago on the 15th of Septeml^er, 
1880, Mr. Healy was united in marriage to 
Miss Emma C. Pattison, of Indianola, Illi- 
nois, who was born in Ohio, November 25, 
1848, a daughter of Elijah and Mary (Cox) 
Pattison. Her father was born in Ohio and 
her mother in Vermilion county, Illinois. 
She was a daughter of Samuel Cox, who 
came from Pennsylvania to this state and she 
was the first white child born in \'ermilion 
county. She is now living in Indianola at 
the age of eighty years, and is a very active, 
intelligent lady, still doing her own house- 
work. She became the wife of Mr. Pattison, 
in Indianola; and he afterward tlevoted his 
energies to farming until his death, which 
occurred in 1875. In politics he was a 
Democrat and he held membership in the 
Methodist Episcopal church. In the family 
of this worthy couple were six sons and 
four daughters : W. George, who is vice 
president of the l^johart Livestock Commis- 
sion Company, of Chicago ; Simeon, de- 
ceased ; Ed, who resides in Indianola ; Anna 
E., of Chicago; Emma C. the wife of our 
subject ; Franklin and Leander who are resi- 
dents of Indianola ; :\Iary Jane and John, 
both deceased ; and Luella, who resides with 
her mother. Mr. and Mrs. Healy have had 
but one child. Anna M.. who was Ixirn in 
1882 and graduated with the class of 1900 
in the Indianola High School. 

Mr. Healy gives his political support to 
the Democracy and has been honored with 
a number of public ofiices. He has served as 
township clerk, was also mayor and treas- 





^ V KcA-^ (y^ t,v 




{XA-'^iy^-^^ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



303 



urer of his town, and is now ser\-ing as a 
member of the county central committee 
from Carroll township. He was also post- 
master of Indianola during President Cleve- 
land's administration, succeeding a man 
who had held the position for twenty years. 
He belongs to Vermilion Lodge, No. 265, 
F. & A. AI., and their lodge room is in his 
building. He is also a member of the 
Modern Woodmen Camp and has member- 
ship relations with the Fraternal Army and 
the Knights of the Globe. When he came to 
Indianola and established his present busi- 
ness he had a capital of only one hundred 
and fifty dollars. Since that time he has 
had twenty years' experience and during this 
long period he has been absent from his 
business altogether but three months and five 
da3's. He now owns one of the largest de- 
partment stores in the county and his success 
is due to close application, a thorough un- 
derstanding of trade relations and marked 
enterprise and diligence. 



ABRAHAM MANN. Jr. 

Abraham Mann, Jr., living on section 
26, Ross township, is one of the substan- 
tial farmers and stock-raisers and feeders 
of Vermilion county. He is. too, one of the 
largest land owners within its borders, hav- 
ing four thousand acres in Ross and Grant 
townships, all of which is well improved 
and valuable. No history of the county 
would be complete without the record of 
his life, not only because of the splendid 
success which he has achieved but also be- 
cause he is one of the honored early set- 
tlers of this portion of the state, having 
resided in the county since 1834. 

He is one of the worthv citizens that 



England has furnished the United States, 
his birth having occurred in Leighton-Buz- 
zard, Bedfordshire, that country, February 
17, 1829. John Mann, the grandfather of 
our subject, came to the new world prior 
to the Revolutionary war and traveled 
through the then largely unexplored west. 
He made a trip up the Mississippi river in 
a canoe wnth the Indians and is said to have 
been the first man that penetrated as far 
north on the river as St. Anthony Falls, 
now St. Paul, Minnesota. After the Revo- 
lutionary war congress gave him grants of 
lands both in Louisiana and New York in 
compensation for losses which he had suf- 
fered during the period of hostilities. He 
later returned to England and spent his last 
years in London. 

Our subject's father, Abraham Mann, 
Sr.. was born, reared and married in Eng- 
land, the lady of his choice being Mary Ann 
Smith. He carried on farming for a num- 
ber of years on the merrie isle and four chil- 
dren were added to the family there. He 
then emigrated to the new world in 1832, 
spending the first winter after his arrival 
in Herkimer. New York. Then in connec- 
tion with his brother-in-law. Mr. Smith, 
journeyed westward to Illinois and selected 
a location for his famih' in X'ermilion coun- 
ty. Illinois. He entered six hundred and 
forty acres of land where the subject of this 
review now resides and with characteristic 
energy he began breaking the fields and im- 
proving the farm. In a log house, which he 
built, he made his home for several years 
and then replaced the pioneer cabin by a 
good frame house. He also bought more 
land and owned several thousand acres, 
thus becoming one of the extensi\-e land- 
holders in Vermilion county. He was a 
very prominent agriculturist, influential in 
public affairs, as well as successful in pri- 



304 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



vate business interests and all who knew him 
respected him for his genuine worth. He 
spent his last years in this county and when 
called to his final rest many friends mourned 
his loss. 

Abraham Mann, of this review, is the 
only survivor of a family of two sons and 
two daughters. He was reared to maniiood 
upon the farm where he now resides and 
when a little lad of ten or twelve years he 
returned with his parents to England, where 
he was placed in school at Biggelswade, 
where he completed his course. r'rc\ious 
to this time he had pursued his education 
in Crawfordsville, Indiana. The family re- 
mained in England for about four years 
and then again came to the United States, 
taking up their abode on a farm here. Af- 
ter the fatlier's death our subject and his 
brother John took charge of the old home 
place and the business and together carried 
on agricidtural pursuits for several years. 
Abraham Mann has since purchased more 
land to the extent of about one thousand 
acres. He has on his home farm a very 
commodicnis brick residence, in the rear of 
which stand good barns and all necessary 
outbuildings for the shelter of grain and 
stock. Around his home are beautiful 
shade and evergreen trees and a broad lawn 
which is well kept. He has also planted an 
orchard and tlie various equipments of the 
model farm of the twentieth century are 
there found. He also has se\-eral other 
farms in \'ermilion county, all of which 
are improved with substantial accessories. 
He makes a business of raising and feeding 
stock for the market and ships on an aver- 
age of from ten to twentv car-loads of cat- 
tie annually and a numl^er of car-loads of 
hogs. He now has a fine herd of 
about one hundred head of registered 
short-horn cattle with a fine Cruiksliank 



l)ull at the head of the herd. He is one of 
the most e.\tensi\'e and prosperous stock- 
raisers and farmers of the county and is 
a business man of marked ability, far- 
sighted, enterprising and purposeful. He 
is likewise a stockholder in the First Na- 
tional Bank of Danville and one of its 
directors. 

Mr. Mann was married in \'ermihon 
County, June 13. 1882, to Miss Margaret 
Ann Dale, a sister of John W. Dale, of Dan- 
ville. Three sons have been born unto 
theiu : John, who is a graduate of the Ross- 
ville high school ; George Dale, a student 
in the Culver Alilitary Academy, of In- 
diana ; and Edw ard Harold, who is a stu- 
dent in the home school. Another member 
of the household is Miss Emma Dale, who 
has resided with Mr. and I\lrs. Mann since 
the death of her mother. 

When the Republican party sprung in- 
to existence, making the opposition of the 
further extension of slavery its leading is- 
sue. Mr. Mann joined its ranks and has 
since been one of its earnest supporters, 
voting for each presidential nominee of the 
party since he cast iiis ballot for John C. 
f'^renionl in 1856. His business interests 
ha\'e been too extensi\e to admit of his tak- 
ing an actise ])art in political work even had 
he so desired and he has never even wished 
for the rewards of office in recognition of his 
partv fealty. He has, however, been a 
member of the school board and has done 
effective w^rk in behalf of the cause of 
education. He and his wife are members 
of the ]\lethodist Episcopal church, belong- 
ing to Manus Chapel, and Mr. Mann takes 
a most active interest in everything pertain- 
ing to the general good along material, 
social, intellectual and moral lines. 

He has been a resident of Vermilion 
county during the great part of the time 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



305 



of sixty-eiglit years and has witnessed the 
marked changes which have occurred as 
development and growth has transformed 
pioneer coiichtions into modern progress. 
He has seen deer and wild game here in 
great numhers. but these have disappearetl 
and now herds of cattle and other domestic 
animals have taken the place of the wild 
ones. Mr. Mann has witnessed the con- 
struction of the roads and of the railroads 
and has .seen Danville developed from a 
little villag'e of three houses until it has be- 
come one of the leading cities of the state. 
He has seen the various farms opened and 
developed and at all times has given an ac- 
tive co-operation to meastires pertaining to 
the general good. A most successful and 
enterprising business man, he possesses 
keen discrimination and sound business 
judgment, unflagging industry and strong 
purpose and these cjualities have enabled 
him to gain an enviable position among the 
respected and wealthy citizens of Vermilion 
county. 



J. H. RHOTEN. 



J. H. Rhoten, who is actively engaged in 
gardening and in the cultivation of fruit 
and flowers just outside the city limits of 
Danville, owns a valuable tract of seven and 
one-half acres of land, and in the conduct of 
his business he has become well known for 
his reliability, as well as for the excellence 
of his products. As he has a wide acquaint- 
ance here his life history cannot fail to prove 
of interest to many of our readers. 

J. H. Rhoten was born in Putnam coun- 
ty, Indiana, June 21, 1846. His paternal 
grandfather was James Rhoten, who was 
a native of England and came to Anierica 



in colonial days and fought for the independ- 
ence of the country at the time of the Rev- 
olutionary war. He lived to the ripe old age 
of nearly one hundred years. While in the 
ser\-ice he e.xperienced all of the hardships 
and privations which befell the American 
troops and on one occasion he had nothing 
to eat for three days except two apples. 
Thomas Rhoten, the father of our suliject, 
was born in Brown county, Ohio, where he 
spent the first sixteen years of his life and 
then Ijecamc a resident of Putnam county, 
Indiana, where he attained his majority and 
was married, the lady of his choice being 
Sarah Woolery, who was born in that coun- 
ty. Mr. Rhoten carried on farming there 
until 1854, when he remo\-ed to Cumberland 
county, Illinois, where he opened up a farm, 
continuing its cultivation for several years. 
About 1869 he came to Vermilion county 
and took up his residence upon a farm near 
Danville, making it his home throughout his 
remaining days. He died about 1876 at 
the age of seventy years and his wife passed 
away in 1871. 

J. H. Rhoten of this review was a little 
lad of eight summers when with his jiarents 
he came to Illinois and he was reared in 
Cumberland county, this state until seven- 
teen years of age. In 1863 he enlisted for 
service in the Union army, joining the Sixty- 
second Illinois Infantry as a member of 
Company G. With that command he went 
south and joined the western department. 
The first battle in which he engaged was at 
Little Rock. The regiment arrived there af- 
ter a forced march from Tennessee and they 
also did guard duty keeping the Arkansas 
river open for fifteen months, during which 
time they participated in a number of skirm- 
ishes. Later they were sent to Port Gibson, 
remaining there for six months, and in 



3o6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



]\rarcli. 1866, Mr. Rholen was honorab!}- 
discharged. He then returned home, where 
he remained one year, after wliich lie went 
to Douglas county, IlHnois, spending a year 
on a farm there. On the expiration of that 
period lie came to Vermihon county, where 
he engaged in farming for two years. He 
next turned his attention to bridge buikhng 
and carpenter work in the employ of the rail- 
road and was thus engaged for nine years. 
Subsequently he was employed in the coach 
building department of the shops at Danville 
for a similar period, largely doing repair 
work. While thus engaged he purchased the 
land on which his present residence was 
built and in the spring of 1902 he began the 
raising of fruit, vegetables and flowers, 
building a large greenhouse. The new en- 
ter])rise has already proved a protitablc one 
antl his patronage in this direction is con- 
tinuously increasing. 

Mr. Rhoten was married in Vermilion 
county, in 1870. to Miss Lucy Martin, a 
native of this county, and a daughter of the 
Rev. Rolla Martin, one of the first settlers 
here. ha\ ing come with his parents in early 
pioneer times. He was a minister of the 
Christian churcli and was also prominent iv 
pul)lic affairs, being elected fur two terms to 
the office of county treasurer. Unto Mr. and 
Mrs. Rhoten have been born two children 
who are yet living. Jessie is one of the suc- 
cessful school teachers of the county, hav- 
ing Ijeen connected with the Tilton school 
for nine years, and Katie is at home. They 
also lost one daughter, Edith, who died at 
the age of two years. The parents and 
daughters are active members of the First 
Christian church of Danville, taking a help- 
ful interest in its work. In his political af- 
filiations Mr. Rhoten is a Repul)lican and 
no one has reason to question his position on 



any political issue. He is well known in 
this city where his fidelity to duty, his trust- 
worthiness in business and his loyalty in 
friendship have made him a man worthy of 
the esteem and confidence of his fellow men. 



JOHN THOMAS MANX. 

T!ie extent and scope of the business in- 
terests which claimed the attention of Mr. 
Mann were certainly sufficient to win for him 
the a<lniiration and respect of his fellow citi- 
zens and yet he gained that regard through 
other ciualities as well, his influence being ex- 
erted in Ijehalf of many measures which con- 
tributed largely to the public good along in- 
tellectual and moral lines. The work l^egun 
by his illustrious father was carried on by 
him and his iimther and \'ermilion county 
has no more honored or honorable name upon 
the pages of its history than that of Mann. 
He whose name introduces this review 
was born at T-eighton-Buzzard, Bedford- 
shire, England, January 30, 183 1. being the 
second son of the four children of vVbraham 
and Mary Mann, who are represented else- 
where in this work. His education was 
largely acquired in his native country, al- 
though his parents came to the new world 
when he was onl_\- ;ibout a year old. His 
parents wishing him to enjoy educational 
privileges which could not be secured in the 
pioneer district in which they lived, sent him 
back to his native land, where he remained 
as a student for a munlier of years, master- 
ing the branches of learning which would 
prepare him for the ])ractical and responsi- 
l)le duties of a successful business career. 
When his education was completed he 
once more came to .-Vmerica, taking up 




dOHNTHOMAS MANN 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



309 



his residence in the homestead villa, 
which had been erected by his father 
and in connection witii his brother, Abra- 
ham Mann. Jr., he entered upon his busi- 
ness career. He always lived upon the 
old family homestead and the brothers were 
closely associated in extensive agricultural 
and commercial pursuits, making a specialty 
of the raising of cattle. John T. Mann be- 
came a great lover of stock and a most ex- 
cellent judge of cattle, horses and hogs. He 
learned readily to recognize the fine points 
of a domestic animal and he studied closely 
their needs and the conditions which would 
produce the best grades of stock. He had 
both a scientific and practical understanding 
of the business and his opinions were re- 
garded as authority on matters relating to 
stock over a wide territory of Illinois. The 
brothers made extensi\-e purchases and after 
fattening their stock sold to the city markets. 
They bought all over the southern part of 
the state and then shipped to Chicago, where 
they never failed to command the hightest 
market prices because of the excellent con- 
dition of the hogs, cattle and horses, whicii 
were sent to the western metropolis from the 
Mann farm. 

Living in Vermilion count}' in pioneer 
days Mr. Mann could remember seeing large 
herds of deer running over the farm, while 
woh-es were frequently killed and other 
kinds of wild animals were hunted. Vari- 
ous kinds of wild game were also to be had 
in abundance and pioneer conditions every- 
where existed. The homes of the settlers 
were widely scattered and many of the early 
residents lix'ed in log houses, in fact, such 
was the primitive home of the Mann family, 
but after a few years it was replaced by a 
large and pleasant country frame residence. 

John Thomas Mann was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Martha Cable, who was born 



on the 2 1 St of December, 1846, in Long Cren- 
dan, Buckinghamshire, England, a daughter 
of George and Elizabeth (Sanders) Cable, 
who were natives of Bedfordshire, Eng- 
land, and came to America in 1855, locating 
in Attica, Indiana, where they remained for 
four years, the father there devoting his 
energies to agricultural pursuits. At the 
end of that time he went with his family to 
Iroquois county, Illinois, where he remained 
for two years and then took up his abode 
in Rossville, this state, which was his place 
of residence for three years. At the end of 
that time he removed to Salt Fork, near 
Danville, where he lived for thirteen years, 
next becoming a resident of Homer, Illinois, 
where both he and his wife spent their re- 
maining days. They were the parents of 
eight children. After his marriage Mr. 
Mann took his bride to the home farm, living 
with his brother in the large family mansion. 
They had two children : Abraham, who was 
born May 15, 1869, and died Xovember 17, 
1889; and Mary Ann, who was born April 
iS, T871. and died February 23, 1890. Mr. 
Mann passed away on the 19th of October, 
1873, and his wife's death occurred in Santa 
Barbara, California, on the 27th of March, 
1S77. Both were laid to rest in the family 
burying ground on the old homestead. 

Mr. Mann enjoyed more than local repu- 
tation as a splendid marksman and a great 
hunter. He always kept a pack of grey 
hounds and deer dogs and at different times 
killed a large number of deer. Hunting was 
one of his most enjovable sources of recrea- 
tion. While he was deeply interested in his 
county and its advancement he never sought 
or desired office and in fact steadily refused 
to serve in any position of a political 
character. He took a very actix'e interest in 
school work, however, the cause of educa- 
tion finding in him a stalwart frientl, and he 



3IO 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



held nieinbersliii) in the Mctliudist churcli 
and bv liis presence as well as his material as- 
sistance aided in the upbuilding of the cause 
of Christianity. Xo worthy cause ever 
sought his co-operation in vain. and. wliile 
he did not believe in an indiscriminate giving 
which often fosters \^'igrancy and itlleness, 
he was a most charitable and benevolent man 
and to those who were really needy or in dis- 
tress he renMered ready and generous assist- 
ance. He possessed many excellent traits ot 
character, not tlie least of which was his close 
adherence to the golden rule. He made it 
his course of action in business as well as in 
private and social life and no word was ever 
uttered against the honor and integrity of 
John Thomas Mann. His life record is one 
indeed well worthy of emulation and througli 
the forty-two years of his residence in Ver- 
milion county he so endeared himself to his 
fellow citizens that the ties of friendship were 
only broken by death and his memory is still 
cherished Ijv those who knew him. 



JOSEl'H COL VANCE. 

In military and political circles Mr. 
Vance has been true to his country and its 
best interests and to-day in a position of pub- 
lic trust — that of justice of the peace — he 
is manifesting the same loyalty to the gen- 
eral good that he displayed when he fol- 
lowed the stars and stripes upon the battle- 
fields of the south. 

Mr. \'ance is a native of V^ermilion 
county, Illinois, bis birth having occurred in 
Oakwood township on the 2(1 of June, 1844, 
his parents having been John W. and De 
ziaii ( Rathborn ) Vance. The father was 
a native of Cjermany and in his boyhood 
came with his parents to Illinois, in the year 



1S22, the family settling in Oakwood town- 
ship. X'ermilion county. The father of our 
subject was there reared and afterward con- 
ducted salt works. He also had farming 
interests and in his business affairs he met 
with creditable success. He died in 1856, 
at the age of seventy-five years, while his 
wife, the mother of our subject, was called 
to her linal rest in 1865, at the age of fifty- 
two years. Of their family a son and two 
daughters now survive, the sisters of our 
subject lieing Lena G., the wife of Samuel 
Tilton, of Catlin. \'ermilion county, and 
Bridget, who is living in Danville. There 
were nine children altogether in the family. 

Mr. \'ance of this review obtained a dis- 
trict school education in early life and 
started out to make his own way in the world 
when a youth of fourteen years. He con- 
ducted a farm in Oakwood township for 
some time and afterw;ird came to Danxille, 
in the vear 1888. Here he became connected 
with official service and for five years was a 
capable member of the police force. For 
three years he filled the office of deputy 
sheriff under J. W. Xcwion. and was then 
elected justice of the ])eace, in 1890. to fill 
out the unexpired term of Tark T. Martin. 
He discharged his duties so faithfully and 
promptly that he was made the nominee of 
his ])arty at the regular election, in the spring 
of 1901, and was again chosen for tlie office. 

Mr. \'ance manifested his loyalty to the 
Union at the time of the Civil war. by his 
enlistment in July, 1862, for tltree months 
as a member of Company .\. Seventy-first 
Illinois Regiment. On the expiration nf 
that time he re-enlisted and became a mem- 
ber of Company F. Twenty-sixth Illinois In- 
fantrv. He went with Sherman on his cel- 
elirated march to the sea. and took part in 
all of the engagements from the .\tlanta 
campaigii. in 1864. until the close of the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



311 



war, when he was mustered out, receiving 
an honorable disciiarge in July, 1865. 

In 1869 Mr. Vance was united in mar- 
riage to Lydia E. Matthewman, of Vermil- 
ion ct)unty. Illinois, and unto them have 
been born the following named : Alta, the 
wife of James derringer; John F. ; Alberta, 
the wife of Samuel Saylor; Josephine; 
Ethel ; and Dean. Mr. Vance belongs to 
the Masonic fraternity and also has mem- 
bership relations with the Modern Wood- 
men of America, and the Knights of Labor. 
Having always lived in Vermilion county. 
he has a wide acc|uaintance here and that 
his friendship is best prized by those wdio 
know him best, is an indication that his 
career has ever been an honorable one, 
worthy of the esteem and confidence of his 
fellow men. 



C. M. BRIGGS. 



As a distinguished member of the bar 
and as a leading Democratic politician C. M. 
Briggs is so well known in Vermilion coun- 
ty that he needs no introduction to the read- 
ers of this volume. His career has conferred 
honor and dignity upon the profession and 
the civic organizations with which he is 
associated and there is in him a weight of 
character, a natural sagacity, a far-seeing 
judgment and a fidelity of purpose that com- 
mand the respect of all. He opened his law 
office in Hoopeston in 1892 and has since 
gained a distinctively representative client- 
age. 

Mr. Briggs was born in Hardin county. 
Ohio, in 1865, a son of Matthew and Louisa 
(Webb) Briggs, who were residents of 
Richland county, that state. The father fol- 
lowed farming throughout the years of his 



business career and is now living retired in 
Forest, where be served as postmaster under 
President Cleveland. In the family were 
four children: Louisa, the wife of C. E. 
Young, of Delphos, Ohio; W. J., a resident 
of Huntington, Indiana ; Mrs. Olive Rey- 
nolds, of Fort Wayne, and C. M. 

In taking up the personal history of C. 
M. Briggs we present the life record of 
one who is now widely and favorably known 
in Vermilion county. His early education 
was acquired in the common schools and 
supplemented by an academic course pur- 
sued in Forest, Ohio. At the early age of 
fourteen years he entered a drug store and 
after being employed there for some time, 
during which period he gained a thorough 
and comprehensive knowledge of the busi- 
ness, he became the owner of a drug store 
in Hoopeston, Illinois. He also con- 
ducted a similar establishment in Morrison, 
this state, and is a registered pharmacist. 
Locating in Hoopeston he there conducted 
a drug store with excellent success for three 
years, after which, in 1892, he sold out to 
Dr. \Y. R. Wilson. In 1887 he had located 
permanently in Hoopeston and after a thor- 
ough course of law pursued under the direc- 
tion of H. M. Steeley, he was admitted to 
the Illinois bar upon passing an e.xamina- 
tion before the supreme court of the state 
in 1892. He then opened his law office in 
Hoopeston and has since engaged in practice 
here. His business has constantly grown in 
volume and importance and he has handled 
much litigation which has attracted wide at- 
tention. Devotedly attached to his profes 
sion, systematic and methodical in habit, 
sober and discreet in judgment and diligent 
in research — these qualities have enabled 
him to take a position in the front rank of the 
legal profession in Hoopeston. 



312 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



In 1885, in Paxton, Illinois, .Mr. JJrig\t;> 
was married to Miss Belle Uoke. who died 
in 1899 leaving one son. Jay, who is now 
sixteen years of age and is a student in his 
father's law office. On the 12th of June, 
1901, Mr. Briggs was again married, his 
second union lieing with Mrs. Addie Snively, 
a nati\e of Inxiuois county, Illinois. They 
ha\-e a pleasant home on Second avenue in 
the south end of the town and its gracious 
hospitality is cordially enjoyed by their many 
friends. Fraternally Mr. Briggs is con- 
nected with the Knights of Pythias, with 
the Mcidern Woodmen of America and with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. lie 
stands at the head of the silver element of 
the Democratic party in the northern part 
of \'crmiIion county and is very active in 
political work. He is a Buent orator, a logi- 
cal and entertaining speaker and during the 
two campaigns in which Bryan has been the 
nominee of the Democracy for president he 
has delivered many addresses in behalf of 
the Nebraska statesman. His prominence 
in ])olitical work resulted in his nomination 
for congress in opposition to Joseph Cannon, 
in T900. This nomination came to him not 
oidy unsought but entirely without his 
knowledge. At the time he was in Danville 
trying a case in court when a telegram was 
handed him announcing that his name had 
been placed on the ticket in connection with 
the office of congressman. Accepting the 
nomination he did efifective work in the cam- 
paign, using his efforts for the success of the 
Democratic party. It was a foregone con- 
clusion that his election was an impossibility 
but he carried the full vote of his party. He 
is a member of the Democratic county cen- 
tral committee and in 1898 he served as city 
solicitor of Hoopeston. On numerous oc- 
casions he has been a delegate to the Demo- 



cratic state conxentions and in the con\cn- 
tion of 1900 he was a member of the commit- 
tee on resolutions. Mr. Ilriggs is a young 
man of marked ability, possessing excellent 
traits of character. He is manly, sincere and 
outspoken and he has gained a high place in 
his profession by hard work and b}- merit 
which is widely recognized not only by the 
public but by the members of the legal fra- 
turnitv as well. 



CHARLES BUHL. 

For years an honoreil and respected resi- 
dent of l^an\ille, Charles Buhl p-issed away 
on the lotli of July, 1898, at the age of 
eighty-six years. As the day with its morn- 
ing of hope and promise, its noontide of ac- 
tixity, its evening of completed and success- 
ful effort, ending with the grateful rest and 
quiet of the night, so was the life of this 
lionored man. who was for many years 
])rominent in l)usiness circles and after com- 
ing to Danville invested largely in real 
estate, doing much to improve property in- 
terests here. 

He was born in Zelienople, Pennsylvania, 
on the 8th of Feljruary, 181 2, his parents 
being' Christian and i'"redericka Buhl, both 
of whom were natixes of Germany, whence 
they came to America prior to their mar- 
riage. The father took up his residence in 
the Keystone state and for a number of 
N'cars was justice of the peace. He after- 
ward served for a number of terms as 
county judge and his decisions were strictly 
fair and imjiartial. He left the impress of 
his indi\iduality upon the early judicial his- 
tory of his county. He was a man of 
marked ]5ersonalit\-, well fitted to become a 




CHARLES BUHL. 




MRS. CHARLES BUHL. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



317 



leader of public thought and action and in 
the community where he made his home he 
was honored and respected by all who knew 
him. He died at the age of eighty-seven 
years, and his wife passed away at the same 
age. In their family were eleven children, 
of whom Charles was the fourth in order of 
birth. All are now deceased with the excep- 
tion of Mrs. Robert King, who is residing 
in Detroit, ]ilichigan ; and Mrs. Robert 
Hay, whose home is in Allegheny City, 
Pennsylvania. 

In the common school Charles Buhl ac- 
quired his early education and after putting 
aside his text books he became connected 
with commercial life. Removing to the 
west he established a general furnishing 
goods store in Detroit, Michigan, where he 
carried on business for several years. Later 
he became a resident of Chicago, where he 
enjoyed an extensive trade in the same line 
of business for eleven years. On account of 
ill health, howe\er, he was obliged to retire 
from business life and removed to a farm 
near Chicago, where he lived for ten years. 
In 1 86 1 came to Danville, where he spent 
his remaining days. Here he made ex- 
tensive investments in real estate. His 
money was so judiciously placed that he. 
continually derived a growing income from 
his property interests, owing to the increase 
in value with the growth of the city's popu- 
lation. In business affairs his judgment 
was always faultless and he seemed readily 
to look beyond the exigencies of the mo- 
ment to the possibilities of the future. His 
careful control of extensive commercial 
transactions brought to him splendid suc- 
cess and moreover he sustained an unassail- 
able reputation as an honorable business 
man. 

On the 9th of July, 1839, in Pennsyl- 
vania, Mr. Buhl was united in marriage to 



Miss Elezan McConnaughy, a daughter of 
James and Elizabeth (Jones) McCon- 
naughy, the former a native of Ohio. 
L^nto this marriage were born six children, 
as follows : Charles ; Sidney, who is a re- 
tired farmer, living in Danville; Walter, 
who died in infancy; Frank, also resident 
of Danville; Emma, who became the wife of 
William Myers and died at the age of forty- 
one years; and Laura, the wife of John 
Lawrence, of this city. Mrs. Buhl, the 
mother, was born on the ist of January, 
1820, and was the youngest and is now the 
only surviving member of a family of eleven 
children. She possesses remarkable vigor 
and strength for one of her years and is a 
most highly esteemed resident of Danville, 
where she has made her home for more than 
four decades. 

In his political views Mr. Buhl was a 
stalwart Republican, always interested in the 
questions and issues of the day, yet never 
seeking or desiring public office. After a 
happy married life of fifty-nine years he was 
called to his final rest on the loth of July, 
1898. His was an upright character and his 
career displayed many sterling traits well 
worthy of emulation. A man of domestic 
tastes he was devoted to the welfare of his 
wife and children and he held friendship in- 
violable. In business transactions he was 
the soul of honor and at all times he was 
loyal to the best interests of the city, state 
and nation. 



WILLIAM WPIITE. 

\\'illiam \Vhite is now living on section 
5, Newell township, and was born in Blount 
township ]\Iarch 20, 1830. Among the early 
settlers and prominent men of Vermilion 
was his father, James White, now deceased. 



3'8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



He married Xancy Wiles and botli were na- 
tives of Switzerland county. Indiana. They 
took up their abode in Vermilion county. Illi- 
nois, when many red men still lived in this 
section of the state, the i)rairies were covered 
with tlie native grasses and in the forests 
the trees stood in their primeval strength. 
Deer roamed among the trees or over the 
prairies and there were many prairie wolves. 
The family arrived in a covered wagon after 
having forded the rivers and swamps and 
here they settletl in the midst of a Ijarren 
wilderness. He entered government land 
and erected a log cabin with a stick and clay 
chimney. The wo!\-es often gathered 
around this pioneer home making the night 
hideous with their howling. Indians often 
visited them I)ut ^vere friendly. James White 
was a great hunter and shot many deer and 
even after game began to get scarce in this 
locality he would go miles to hunt. He saw- 
Chicago when it was but a mere hamlet and 
many times drove his ox-team to that mar- 
ket, fording rivers and traveling over the 
sloughs which cut up the country, making 
the land of little value until it had been 
drained. Upon the way he would camp out 
at night. He frecjuently had his son Will- 
iam ride the ox in front which was harnessed 
up for the purpose. James White cut down 
many a forest tree in preparing his land for 
culti\-ation and he broke the prairie with 
oxen, using six to nine yoke to a breaking 
plow. He lived to see the whole country de- 
veloped from an unsettled wilderness to one 
of the most highly cultivated farming dis- 
tricts in this great state dotted here and there 
with thri\-ing towns and \illagcs and a city 
of which the inhabitants have every reason 
to be proud. He was often heard to say that 
he and a friend swam nearly every stream 
between old Denmark and Chicago. At the 
birth of each of his children he would go on 



a hunt fur a deer and when his son William 
was born he brought home both a deer and a 
wikl goose. Many times he trampled upon 
rattlesnakes, never knowing that they were 
dangerous. He served as a soldier in the 
Black Hawk war as did also Langford 
Wiles, the father of Mrs. William White. 
James White lived to the age of eighty-six 
years, dying in June, 1887. In his family 
were fourteen children, ten of whom reached 
adult age and reared families of their own, 
while hnir died in infancy. The following 
are yet living, namely : Mrs. Mary Shafer, 
of Nebraska; William Langford, of Blount 
township; Mrs. Robert VanVickle, of 
Blount township: Silas and Richard, who 
are li\-ing in the same township; Thomas, a 
resident of Minnesota; and James, of Blount 
township. 

William White, the second in order of 
birth, ac(juired his education in the early sub- 
scription schools which he attended during 
the winter seasons and in the summer 
niiinths he worked on a farm. From the 
time he was ten years of age he followed the 
plinv to which a team of oxen was hitched. 
He often ])l()\ved with a wooden mold board 
and afterward with a single shovel plow, 
while the harness had a single line. He 
planted ccjrn by hand, cradled the grain and 
bound his wheat by hand. He also assisted 
in dipping candles until the candle molds 
came into use and at times he saw a tuniip 
hollowed out and in this was placed a 
greased rag. It was then lighted and served 
for a parlor lamp. In the father's family 
tlax was used for making cotton clothing 
and thrc;id and the wool was spun and 
woven into cloth for the winter clothing, 
spinning wheels forming a part of the furni- 
ture of every household. Many times Mr. 
White assisted his mother in that work. He 
can also remember the days when the girls 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



319 



would carry their shoes to church, wearing 
them only during the service and tlien re- 
turning barefooted in order to economize be- 
cause only one pair of shoes was allowed to 
each person for a year. People rode to 
church on horseback, sometimes as many as 
three people sitting upon a sheepskin upon a 
single horse. William White owned the last 
yoke of oxen used in the neighborhood. It 
was a splendidly yoked team, weighing for- 
ty-seven hundred pounds, but at length he 
sold these animals, keeping the yoke, how- 
ever, as a relic of early days. 

Mr. ^A'hite was united in marriage to 
Elizabeth Wiles, who also came of a pioneer 
family. She was born in Blount township 
March 20, 1840, a daughter of Langford 
and Mary (Cassat) Wiles. Two children 
have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. White. 
Mary was married in 1885 to Alfred Ingles- 
by, a farmer of Blount township, and they 
have nine children, six sons and three daugh- 
ters. Cordelia Edna is the wife of Ed. Neff 
and they were married in 1900. They have 
a little daughter, Iva E., ten months old, and 
their home is in Blount township. Mrs. 
White was reared upon a farm and many a 
day has dropped corn, following the plow. 
For seven weeks when she was two vears old 
her mother was left all alone with her and a 
brother, while the father made a trip to Mis- 
souri. Some boys tried to scare her mother 
with dogs, but although she was alone with 
her young children she ne\'er flinched nor 
showed any signs of fear. \\'hen our sub- 
ject settled on the eight mile prairie there 
was not a house within miles. They lived in 
pioneer style, cooking over a fireplace, but 
with the advancing years they have ac- 
quired all the comforts and conveniences 
that have been introduced. Mr. W'hite now 
owns a valuable farm of one hundred and 
twenty acres on section 27, Blount township. 



and one hundred and fifty acres on section 8, 
a part of this being covered with timber. He 
also has other lands in Newell township. He 
and his wife and youngest daughter are 
members of the Baptist church, while the 
others are members of the Christian church, 
and in his political \iews he is a Democrat. 
He has served as commissioner of highways 
and as a school chrector for many years. He 
is now living retired in the edge of Blount 
township, his home being in Newell town- 
ship. 



JOHN L. STEWARD. 

John L. .Steward, deceased, was for 
about thirty years an honored and highly re- 
spected citizen of Vermilion county, having 
arrived here in 1851, at which time he lo- 
cated on a tract of wild prairie land in New- 
ell township, twelve miles northeast of Dan- 
ville. Pie was born on the 13th of July, 
18 1 6. in Broome county. New York, of 
which state his parents, John and Catherine 
(Catlin) Steward, were also natives. From 
there they removed to Fountain county, In- 
diana, where the father purchased land and 
engaged in its cultivation throughout the re- 
mainder of his life. Both he and his wife 
died in that county. 

The primary education of our subject 
was obtained in the common schools of 
Broome county. New York, and he contin- 
ued his studies in the public schools of 
Fountain county, Indiana, after the removal 
of the family to that state. As soon as old 
enough to be of any assistance he com- 
menced to aid his father in the operation of 
the farm and was thus employed until his 
marriage, which important event in his life 
occurred on Easter Sunday, April 19, 1840, 
Miss Mary E. Johnson becoming his wife. 



320 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Mrs. Steward was born in Jackson coun- 
ty, Ohio. June -'5, 1822, and is a daughter of 
Richard and Alilbry (Graves) Johnson, the 
former a native of Chester county, Pennsyl- 
vania, born in 1793, and the latter of Chat- 
ham county. North Carolina. The father, 
who was an old tavern keeper, removed to 
Lafayette, Indiana, at a \eiy early day when 
Indi.nns were still numerous in that locality 
antl when the present nourishing city of La- 
fayette contained but four houses. There he 
took charge of a hotel, known as the Seven 
Stars and C(intinued to carry it on until his 
death, which occurred in 1830. In his fam- 
ily were seven children, three of whom are 
still living, as follows: Harvey, who mar- 
ried Amanda Sewell, now deceased, is a re- 
tired farmer and land ow'ner residing in Bis- 
marck, this county. Alary E. is the widow 
of our subject. Colonel Henderson Johnson 
married Susan Goodlow, of Kentucky, and 
is now living retired in Danville. He is one 
of the leading citizens of the place. Those 
of the family now deceased are Margaret 
Jane, James Clay, Josephine and \\'illiam R. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Steward were born 
twelve children, namely: Harvey J., de- 
ceased, served all through the Civil war as a 
member of Company B, One Hundred anil 
Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry ; 
Ella is the wife of Frank Gordon, a fanner 
of the state of Oregon ; Mary, deceased, was 
the wife of Martin Barker, now an officer in 
the Soldiers' Home in Danville; William 
died at the age of eighteen years; Jnhn H. 
married Belle Pierce and is now a retired 
farmer living at Hoopeston, this county; 
Amanda is the wife of J. H. Henderson, a 
grocer of Crawfordsville, Indiana; Laura is 
the wife of Henry Peters, who holds a posi- 
tion in a htmberyard in Danville: Lizzie died 
at the age of twenty-four years; Sue is the 
wife of C. A. Parsons, a leading photogra- 



pher of l)an\ ille, b_\- whom she has two chil- 
dren : liarry, burn Xuvemljer y, 1886, and 
P^dward, born October 21, 1893. and they 
make tlicir home with Mrs. Steward ; Annie 
is the wife of William C. Thompson, ex- 
county treasurer of Vermilion county ; Bert 
L. married Alecia Jones and resides in Dan- 
\ille, Illinois; and Emma died young. 

After his marriage Mr. Steward contin- 
ued to engage in farming in Fountain coun- 
ty. Jniliana, until 1852, when he came to 
\'ermilion county, Illinois, and settled on 
what was known as Grand Prairie in Newell 
townshi]), twehe miles northeast of Dan- 
ville, where he purchased a farm of two hun- 
dred and sixty acres. He made many im- 
Ijrovements upon that place and there suc- 
cessfully engaged in general fanning and 
stock-raising until 1879, when on account of 
ill health he sold his property and went west, 
locating on a farm near Portland, Oregon, 
where he spent three years. At the end of 
that time sickness again caused him to 
change location and he returned to Ver- 
milion county, purchasing property near the 
village of Bismarck, where he lived until 
called to his final rest on the ist of October, 
1882. He held several minor offices while 
residing in Newell township, such as road 
overseer, school director, etc., and was ac- 
counted one of the valued and representative 
citizens of his community. His political sup- 
port was given the Democratic party, and 
having always been a great reader he was 
well informed on the leading questions and 
issues of the day. At his death he left many 
friends to mourn his loss as he was a very 
popular and prominent citizen of the com- 
munity in which he lived. 

After her husband's death Mrs. Steward 
continued to make her home in Bismarck for 
two years, and then, disposing of her prop- 
ertv there, she removed to Danville, where 




MRS. ELIZA CAMPBELL 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



323 



slie bought a lot and erected her present resi- 
dence at No. 119 East Aladison street. Slie 
also owns other property on the same street. 
She is a most estimable lady, who has a wide 
circle of friends and acquaintances, and is a 
consistent member of the First Methodist 
Episco])al church of Danville. 



JOSEPH CAMPBELL. 

Among the early pioneer settlers of 
Newell township, Vermilion county, the 
name of Joseph Campbell, now deceased, 
was prominent. He was born in New York. 
May zj. 1816, aud his death occurred 
March 7, 1858. No more fitting tribute 
can be given to the life record of any man 
than to say that the county in which he lived 
and labored has been benefited by his life. 
This can truthfully be said of Joseph 
Campbell, for he was e\-er faithful t(,) his 
duties as a citizen and as a man. 

He was a son of Samuel and Mary 
(Harper) Campbell, both natives of New 
York, who came to Vermilion county, Illi- 
nois, and settled on the old Campbell farm 
on section 26, Newell township. There 
Samuel Campbell purchased land and the 
family made their home in a primitive log 
cabin, which was the only shelter of the 
early settlers of the county. At that time 
game abounded and the prairies were un- 
broken and uncultivated, the timber being 
uncut and the entire land untouched by the 
civilizing touch of man. The enterprise and 
energy of such people as the Campbell fam- 
ily, however, have wrought a great change 
in this great commonwealth and to-day it 
stands among the great states of the Lhiion, 
through the united and consecutive efforts 

14 



of those who have labored for its welfare 
and upbuilding. Cnto Samuel Campbell 
and his wife were born seven children, the 
subject of this review being the youngest of 
the family. In the Empire state he received 
his early education and there remained until 
eighteen years of age, when with his parents 
he removed to Vermilion county. Here he 
continued his education, which well fitted 
him for the duties of life. He engaged in 
farming on his father's farm, which after- 
ward came into his possession. 

.\n imi)ortant event took place in his life 
\\hen, on the 21A of December, 1840, he was 
united in marriage to Eliza Jane Mackeson, 
who was born November j8, 1819. This 
lady is now eighty-three yearse of age and 
makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. 
McCowan, in State Line, Indiana. Mrs. 
Campbell is a daughter of Andrew and Han- 
nah (^lartin) Mackeson, both natives of 
Harrison county, Kentucky, and is the oldest 
in a famil\- of four children. Unto Joseph 
Campbell and his wife were born five chil- 
dren, namely : Hannah Jane, who married 
James Gahn, September 14, 1871. They 
have two children. The elder, Joseph 
Franklin, is now a lieutenant in the Cnited 
States army, stationed at Philadelphia, He 
is a graduate of West Point and was the lieu- 
tenant who hoisted the United States Hag at 
Pekin. China, on the famous walls of that 
city. He has been in the United States 
army for several years. He was married 
September 14, 1902, to Laura Andia Colt. 
Mar}', the second child of Mr. and Mrs. 
Gahn, was marriel in 1901 to Fred Hard- 
ing, and resides in East St. Louis. John 
D., the second child of Mr. and Mrs. 
Campbell, is now a farmer residing in New- 
ell township. Andrew, of Newell township, 
is the next in order of birth. He also fol- 



324 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



lows fanning. Samuel also carries on farm- 
ing in Newell township. Mary is the wife 
of luhn Mc Cowan, of State Line, Indiana. 
She was born September 12, 1852, and was 
married November 18, 1874. Mr. Mc- 
Cowan was born in Edgar county. Illinois, 
August 26, 1849, and was an extensive cat- 
tle dealer and shipper. Coming to Ver- 
milion county, Illinois, in 1870, he settled 
on section 18, Newell township. His par- 
ents were natives of Kentucky. In June, 
1S96, he retired to State Line, Indiana, 
where he resides in his comfortable dwell- 
ing, with his wile and mother-in-law, ]Mrs. 
/Campbell. 

J\Irs. Campbell is of sturdy Scotch an- 
cestry and has many of the sterling charac- 
teristics of her race who have always held 
exalted ideas of what is right and have lived 
np to the same. She is among the pioneer 
residents of \'crniilion county and has seen 
great transformation wrought here, the 
once unbroken prairies being now dotted by 
flourishing towns and villages. She is a 
A'irtuous antl estimable lady and is one of 
Ihe Ijcst known residents of the county. 



WILLIAM LYNCH. 

William Lynch, whose large business in- 
terests make him a valued representative of 
■commercial and industrial activity in ]\Iun- 
cie, was born in New York, September 15, 
1854, and may truly be called a self-made 
man, for from an early age he has been de- 
pendent entirely upon his own labors. Early 
in life he was left an orphan and in 1861 
Avent to live with Henry Sallee, who filled the 
position of township treasurer and township 
clerk for thirty-seven years. Mr. Lynch was 
permitted to attend school for about three 



months during each year and throughout the 
remainder of the year his labors were given 
to his emi)loyers. When twenty years of age 
he left' school altogether as a student. Mr. 
Lyncli was permitted to attend for a short 
time in Ladoga, Indiana, and for six months 
he engaged in teaching. He then learned te- 
legraphy which he followed for two years, 
after which he became connected with the 
grain trade and also bought and sold stock, 
lie devoted his energies to dealing in grain 
and live stock for seventeen years, after 
which he managed a store for Mr. Reinstein. 
Later he purchased his employer's store and 
conducted the business himself in connec- 
tion with his ])artner, A. L. Stearns, a rela- 
tion that was maintained for ten years. On 
the expiration of that period he began oper- 
ating the coal mine which he now owns and 
which has been very productive. lie has 
three partners in the Muncie Coal Company 
l)ut is one of the largest stockholders of the 
enterprise. The mine has a capacity of 
about fi\e hundred tons per day and the out- 
put is therefore valuable. ]\Ir. Lynch also 
owns a general mercantile store in Muncie 
and a good farm property of eighty acres 
besides city real estate and twenty-five acres 
in Muncie. 

In his political aliiliations Mr. Lynch is 
a Republican but has no aspirations for 
office. He belongs to Morning Star Lodge, 
No. 489, I. O. O. F., and IMuncie Camp, No. 
4S78, M. W. .\. He is also identified with 
the Fraternal Army of America and in these 
different orgaizations he enjoys the warm 
regard of his brethren. 

He has been twice married, having in 
December, 1873, in Muncie wedded Marga- 
ret Lowman, who was born in Vermilion 
countv. They became the parents of four 
children : Cato, Grace, Blaine and Elbert. 
but the last two are deceased. The wit'e and 



TflE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



325 



mother died in 1886 and in September, 188S, 
in Indianapolis, ^Ir. Lynch was again mar- 
ried, his second union being with Sarah 
-Campbell, who was born in Coles county, 
Illinois. They have three children : Olive, 
aged twehe years; Willie, nine; and Verla, 
eight. 

This is a utilitarian age when the prom- 
inent factor of a community is he who con- 
trols important and extensive business enter- 
prises and fortunate is the ctjmmunity if such 
a man not only has regard for the growth of 
his business but also for the development of 
the community. Such a quality character- 
izes the career of Mr. Lynch and while ad- 
vancing his individual success he also con- 
trilnites to the general prosperity by the con- 
trolling- of his affairs and by the active co-op- 
eration which lie gives to many measures 
for the public good. 



WILLIAM M. ACTON. 

Among the young men of Vermilion 
■county successfully practicing at the bar and 
also prominent in political life is William 
M. Acton, whose birth occurred in this coun- 
ty on the 30th of August, 1876. He is a 
son of William H. and Eliza J. (Laflin) Ac- 
ton. The father was a native of Ohio, and 
in 183Q removed to Vermilion county, lo- 
cating in Pilot township, where he engaged 
in farming and stock-raising and was 
known as one of the progressive agricultur- 
ists of his community. He died February 
2.J, 1899, at the age of sixty years, respected 
by all who knew him. His widow still sur- 
vives him and is now living in Potomac, 
Vermilion county. The paternal grandfa- 
ther of our subject was James Acton, a na- 
tive of Kentucky, and he became a pioneer 



settlers of this county. Matthew Laflin, the 
maternal grandfather, was also one of the 
early residents of the county and both aided 
in the material development and upbuilding 
ijf this portion of the state. 

After acquiring his literay education in 
the public schools, ^^'illiaIn M. Acton fur- 
tlier prepared for the duties of an active busi- 
ness career by a course of study in the Dan- 
ville Business College, of Danville, Illinois. 
He also pursued the classical course in Greer 
College, in Hoopeston, Illinois, where he 
was graduated in 1896 with the valedictor- 
ian honors of his class. Desiring to make 
the ]3ractice of law his life work, he then be- 
gan reading in the office of C. L. Chamber- 
lin, of Hoopeston, while later. J. W. Keeslar, 
of Danville, was his preceptor. In October, 
1S09, lis was admitted to the bar and formed 
a partnership with Mr. Keeslar. He is now 
assistant state's attorney, to which position 
he was appointed in December, 1900. His 
success has come soon, because his equip- 
ment is unusually good. Along with those 
qualities indispensible to a lawyer — a keen, 
rapid, logical mind plus Imsiness sense and a 
ready capacity for hard work — he brought 
to the starting point of his leg"al career elo- 
quence of language and a strong personality. 

On the 29th of November, 1899, Mr. 
Acton led to the marriage altar Miss Adolyn 
M. Herlocker, a daughter of the late U. R. 
Herlocker, of Danville. The young couple 
have many friends in this county. Mr. Ac- 
ton is identified with the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows. He also belongs to the 
Modern Woodmen, to the Tribe of Ben Hur, 
and to the Methodist Episcopal church, all 
of which indicate the high character of his 
social life and his religious belief. In poli- 
tics he is a Republican, takes an active part 
in campaign work and has delivered many 
addresses in behalf of his party, for he be- 



326 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



lie\es tliat one of tlie salient features of good 
citi/ensliip is the endorsement of political 
principles pertaining to good goxernment. 



ISAAC CLRREXT. 

Among those who have, after long con- 
nection with agricultural -pursuits, put aside 
the work of the farm and taken up their 
ahode in the city nf Danville is numbered 
Isaac Current, one of Vermilion county's 
native sons. His birth occurred in Newell 
township, on the 17th of .\o\-ember, 1845, 
his parents being William and Mary (Bast- 
win) Current, Ijoth of whom were natives 
of X'irginia. The father was born April 
20, 1803. The maternal grandfather. Hen- 
ry Bastwin. was also born in \"irginia. and 
on leaving that state traveled westward un- 
til he took up his abode in Danville town- 
ship. \ ermilicn county. Illinois. Here he 
engaged in business as a hat maker, follow- 
ing that pursuit for a number of years. La- 
ter he went to southern Illinois and after his 
retirement from business he made his home 
with his daughter. Mrs. Current, for a short 
time. He next went to Iowa, where he lived 
with another daughter until his death, which 
occurred when he had reached the very ad- 
vanced age of nearly one hundred years. 

In 1829 William Current, the father of 
our subject, came tn X'crmiliim county with 
a brother and sister, settling in Xevvell town- 
ship, where he engaged in farming. He 
was a blacksmith ami wagon-maker by trade 
and after coming west sold some wagons 
of his manufacture in Chicago, besides mak- 
ing those for his own use. In those early 
days Chicago was the market at which he 
sold his butter, eggs and other farm pro- 
duce. He continued farming here until his 



death, passing away August 6. 1851. and 
our subject now has in iiis possession many 
relics of his fatiier, including a cowbell, a 
day book, a Bible and a pocket lx)ok, all of 
which are valued family relics. The mother 
died in 1885. at the advanced age of sev- 
enty-eight years. They were the parents of 
fourteen children, of win mi live are yet liv- 
ing, namely : Andrew J., who is a farmer 
residing in Tracy. Iowa: George, who lives 
in the Soldiers' Home at Ouincy, Illinois; 
lames, who is a grain merchant i)f Momer, 
Illinois; Isaac; and Samuel, a grocer of 
l-"ranklin, Nebraska. Those who have 
])assed away are: Henry B., Nancy, Mariin 
W., John. Mary Jane. Susanna. Ivebecca. 
Lucinda and Matilda. 

Isaac Current attended the common 
scliools in his youth and afterward engaged 
in farm work on the home place. He later 
])inxhased a tract of land on Covington 
J-ioad in Danville township and there he car- 
ried on agricultural pursuits until he re- 
moved to Danville on the 17th of Septem- 
ber, 1900, having for many years been ac- 
tively engaged in farm work, whereby he 
won a competence that now enables him to 
enjoy a well merited rest, surrounded In' all 
of the comforts and many of the luxuries 
wliich go to make life worth the living. 

Mr. CiuM-ent has beei* three times mar- 
ried. In 1802 he wedded Clarissa E. Lynch, 
who was Ixirn in this county, .August 10, 
184^. ;i daughter of Isaac 1'. and Mary 
l,ynch, wlu) were early settlers here and are 
now deceased. Mrs. Current ])assed away 
June 14, 1869. leaving a tlaughter. while 
their son, Samuel, who was born JiU\- 2, 
i8<')4, had died in infancy. The daughter, 
Rachel !■'.. Ixmi Dccemlier 8. 1865. is now 
the wife of Isaac Bowni.m ;nid they reside 
upon her father's farm in Danville town- 
ship. On the 28th of October, 1869, Mr. 




ISAAC CURRENT. 




MRS. ISAAC CURRENT. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



331 



Current wedded Mary (Campbell) ^\'yatt. 
of Vermilion county. Her father, Harp 
Cam])bell. having located here at an early 
period in the dexelupment of this portion of 
the state. The second wife died June 21, 

1872. Her son, William Frederick, Ixirn 
March 20, 1871, died in infancy. For his 
third wife Mr. Current chose Mrs. Dorothy 
J. Noel and they were married January 26, 

1873. The lady is a native of Parke count}'. 
Indiana, born January 13, 1843, and a 
daughter of Cornelitis and Nancy Jones, the 
former a native of Virginia and the latter 
of Miami county, Ohio. Her father was an 
own cousin of John Brown, the noted abo- 
lition advocate and for many years was a 
resident of Parke county, Indiana, but died 
in southern Illinois. By the third mar- 
riage of Mr. Current there was born 
one child, Charles Raymond, whose birth 
occurred November 17, 1876. He married 
Katie Shepherd and is a farmer by occupa- 
tion, residing in Danville. 

When Mr. Current removed to the city 
be built his present beautiful home at No. 
71 1 Illinois street and he still owns his farm 
of one hundred and fi\e acres on section i 
iind 6, Danville township, together with a 
farm of forty acres on section 30 in the same 
township and another forty acre tract near 
Fairmount, this county. He had made 
splaidid improvements upon the old home- 
stead. He erected a nice residence there 
and it is to-day one of the best farms in the 
township. He also built houses on botii of 
his small farms. He formerly gave his po- 
litical support to the Democracy but is now 
a Republican and both he and his wife are 
consistent and devoted members of the First 
Methodist church of Danville. At all times 
Mr. Current has been actuated in his con- 
duct and in his relations to his fellow men 
by honorable principles and by his Chris- 



tian belief, and those who know liim — and 
his acquaintance is e.Ktensi\e — therefore 
cherish for him high respect by reason of 



his genuine worth of character. 



HARVEV SODOWSKY. 

When civilization made its way into the 
Mississippi valley the great farms of this 
section of the country became the wonder of 
the world. The broad prairies of the valley 
were transformed into vast country seats, 
comprising hundred and sometimes thou- 
sands of acres. The more mountainous re- 
gions of the eastern country had made farm- 
ing on this extensive scale impossible, but in 
the west nature provided splendid opportuni- 
ties and agriculture and its kindred occupa- 
tion of stockraising became the leading pur- 
suit of the enterprising people who settled 
this region. Harvey Sodowsky directed his 
energies into these departments of activity 
and won a place second to none among the 
raisers of shorthorn cattle in America, and 
])erhaps second to none in the world. His 
success was of gradual growth — the natural 
result of energy, perseverance, sound judg- 
ment and keen discrimination. In his life he 
exemplified many of the sterling traits of his 
Polish ancestry — the patriotism, the fearless 
defense of what he believed to be right and 
conscientious regard for the rights of others. 

The Sodowsky family was founded in 
America by James Sodowsky. a Polish exile 
of noble birth, proud spirit and lofty patriot- 
ism. \\dien his love of liberty could no long- 
er tolerate the despotic rule of Russia, he be- 
came the leader in a rebellion against the 
czar, and when defeated, but not subdued, he 
came to America — "the land of the free and 
the home of the brave." Later he married 



332 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



tlie sister of Governor Inslip, of the colony 
of \irginia, and among tlieir descendants 
was tlarvey Sodowsky, of this review. In 
the course of years representatives of the 
family changed the spelling of the name, in- 
cluding the brothers of our subject. Two 
of these bmthers, William and Aliraliam 
Srnidusky, are now prominent farmers and 
stockmen of Carroll township, Vermili(jn 
county. Har\ey Sodowsky, however, re- 
tained the ancestral spelling of the familv 
name. 

The spirit which led James Sndnwskv, 
the emigrant, ilrst tn fight for libertv and 
then come to America, has been mani- 
fest in his descendants throughout succeed- 
ing generations. It was shown by the Sod- 
owskys who fought for the liberty of the col- 
onists of the new world, and how their 
hearts must have rejoiced at the glorious 
outcome of the struggle; it was again shown 
by gallant .soldiers of the name in the war of 
1812; and in the subjugation of the western 
wilderness they bore a part. Daniel Boone 
opened the gates of Kentuck\- and soon he 
was followed into "the dark and bloody" re- 
gion by the grandfather of our subject, who 
settled there just after the close of the Rev- 
olutionary war. Alir;di;im Sandusky, the fa- 
ther, was born in that state and married Jii'ie 
McDowell, by whom he iiad eight children, 
of whom Harvey Sodowsky was the eldest. 
In 1830 they removed with their familv fn>m 
Kentucky to V'ermilion county and located 
September 20, 1830. on the Little Vermilion 
river, where .\braham Sandusky made his 
home until his death. 

The birth of Harvey Sodowsky occurred 
in Bourbon county, Kentucky, May 17, 
iSij. ;in<l when be was al)0ut fourteen vears 
of age he came with his parents to this coun- 
ty. He \\as earlv initiated into farm work 



and he remained at home until twenty-four 
years of age when he was married to Miss 
Susan Baum, a daughter of Charles and 
Susan (Moyer) Baum, who had emigrated 
from Ohio and taken uj) their abode on the 
Little Vermillion river. Mrs. Sodowsky was 
of i'olisb lineage and the founder of the 
Ijaum family in .\merica was her grandfa- 
ther, Charles Baum. He married ^liss Bar- 
bara McDonalil, a relative of General Mc- 
Donald, who was attached to the division of 
the Continental .\rmy that won fame under 
the coinnirmd of I'rancis Marion. He did 
reser\e (lut\' in pri.decting the frontier and 
when the war was ended he established his 
home in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Fol- 
lowing Wayne's treaty with the Indians he 
sailed down the (Jhio river with his family, 
landing at the mouth of Bullskin creek, and 
there close to wdiat is now the river town of 
Chilo. established the first settlement in the 
territory of Ohio. It was Charles Baum. 
jr., a son of Cdiarles Baum, the emigrant, 
who became the father of Mrs. Sodowsky. 
He wedded Susan Moyer, whose fatlier. 
John Moyer, was one of the heroes of the 
war for .American Indei)endence and served 
for several years under the immediate com- 
mand of (ieneral Washington. For some 
time following the close of hostilities he 
made his home in Pennsylvania and then 
joined the bra\e Ijand of pioneers who re- 
claimed (_)hio for the ])urpose of civilization, 
from the hands of the red men. In the year 
iS^y Charles Baum removed with his family 
to another ])ioneer district — X'ermiliou 
countv, Illinois, and here he reached the age 
of ninet}'-siK years. 

It was on the 20th of May. 1840. that 
his daughter Susan gave her hand in mru"- 
ri^igc to .Mr. Sodowsky, and the\- began their 
domestic life on the farm which thev after- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



333 



ward called the Woodlawn Stock Farm and 
which became known tliroughout the coun- 
try because of the famous shorthorn cattle 
raised thereon. Throughout the surround- 
ing states Mr. Sodowsky was known as a 
breeder of pure bred and high grade short- 
horns and in his barns and pastures were 
seen some of the finest specimens of short- 
horn cattle in America, if not in the world. 
The list- of premiums which he won is per- 
haps longer than tiiat of any other man 
whose exhibits of stock were often seen in 
the leading fairs and expositions of the 
country. Carrying on the business for a 
half century, Mr. Sodowsky gained wealth, 
and also won an honorable name, for his 
business methods were such as would bear 
the closest investigation. In the acquire- 
ment of his fortune he never took advantage 
of the necessities of others, but bought and 
sold, realizing only a fair profit upon his 
stock, and in this way adfling annually to his 
income until he liecame one of the most pros- 
perous men of eastern Illimjis. 

There has been no home in Vermilion 
county since the days of its first settlement 
more justly noted for warm-hearted hospi- 
tality than Woodlawn and both Mr. and 
Mrs. Sodowsky were most generous and 
charitable. The poor and needy found in 
them a friend and many a one has reason to 
remember them gratefully for timely assist- 
ance rendered in the Ii()ur of adversity. 
Their giving was always unostentatious, and 
in matters of citizenship Mr. Sodowsky was 
puljlic-spirited and progressive. Any meas- 
ure for the general good was sure of his sup- 
port and he was a co-operant factor in many 
movements that resulted beneficially to the 
county. Both he and his wife were sincere 
Christian people, known and honored among 
their fellow men for their intrinsic worth and 
high character. The husband passed away 



December i8, 1886, and the wife survived 
him only until March 21, 1888. For more 
than half a century they had lived in the 
county — theirs being a happy married life, 
while the example of citizenship and busi- 
ness integrity left by Mr. Sodowsky is one 
well worthy of emulation. 



CARL FUXK. 



Carl Funk, who is engaged in the gro- 
cery business in Rossville and has been con- 
nected with A'arious lines of business activity 
in Vermilion county for thirty-one years, 
was born in Prussia, near the city of W'ils- 
nack. June 28, 1828. His father, John 
Funk, was also a native of Germany and was 
a house carpenter. He married Helena 
Timm, also a native of that country, and his 
death occurred about 1838. His wife .how- 
ever, survi\ed him for some time. 

Carl Funk was reared in the place of his 
nativity and in his youth learned the shoe- 
maker's trade. Like most young' men who 
start out in life for themselves he desired a 
companion and helpmate for the journey and 
thus on the 6th of October, 1854, he was- 
united in marriage to Wilhelmina Felsch, a 
native of Havelberg, Germany. After his 
marriage he carried on business for over fif- 
teen years in Germany and in 1869 he came 
to the new world, crossing the Atlantic to 
New York city. He did not tarry in the 
eastern metropolis, however, but continvied 
his journey to Chicago and thence to Wash- 
burn, where he worked for a few months. 
He afterward began business at Pattons- 
burg, Illinois, where he remained for nearly 
two years and on the expiration of that per- 
iod he came to Rossville and here established 
a shoe shop, which he carried on for several 



334 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



years. He also carried tlie mail to Rossville 
fur nine years and occupied the position of 
deputy postmaster under President Harri- 
son, remaininsj; in the postofihce for four 
years. On the expiration of that ])eriod 
he estabhshed a t^rocery business in 1895 
and has since been actively engaged in this 
line of trade, enjoying a lijjeral patronage at 
the pre.sent time. 1 lis stock is large and well 
selected and his progressive business meth- 
ods and earnest desire to please his customers 
have secured fur him a good trade. He has 
also been a prominent factor in the imi)ro\-e- 
nient of Ross\ille and liere erected two brick 
business houses, which he still owns, includ- 
ing the store in which he is now conducting 
his own trade. He has also built five resi- 
dences here and has tlius been an acti\e fac- 
tor in the im])rovement of the city. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. I*"unk has been l)orn 
one son, Oscar, who is married and resides 
in Cayuga, Indiana. He has seven children : 
L(K)la, the ileceased wife of Charles Shel- 
by; Otto; Minnie: Edith: Pearl: Eni- 
iel ; and Roy. Mr. Funk also has one great- 
grandchild. Politically our subject is a 
.stanch Re])ublican. earnestly advocating the 
measures of the ])arlv ;uul casting" his ballot 
for its candidates. He has served for four 
years as a councilman. He and his wife be- 
long to the Lutheran church and were reared 
in that faith. Mr. l'"unk holds membership 
in Rossville Lodge. I. O. O. I'"., in which he 
has filled all of the oUices and is a past grand. 
He has also served as district deputy for two 
years. He came to Illinois a poor man with 
no capital, save strong determination and 
unfaltering enterprise and, upon this as a 
foundation he has built his success. His lite 
historv is conimendal)le because he has la- 
bored diligently and along lines which show 
that he has adhered closely to honorable 
principles. He is now well known in Ross- 



\ille and the surrounding countrj' and en- 
joys the high regard of many with whom he 
has been brought in contact. 



LAWRENCE M. \MTHERSPOOX. 

L. M. Witherspoon is ser\ing as post- 
master of Jamaica and is one of the pros- 
perous and leading farmers of \'ermilion 
county. 1 le was born in Gibson county, In- 
diana May 30, i860, and is a son of W. P. 
\\ ithers])oon, a nati\e of Alabama. The 
paternal grandfather of our subject was a 
direct descendant of John R. Wither spoon, 
one of the signers of the Declaration of In- 
dependence. W. P. W'itherspoon was united 
in marriage in ( iibson county, Indiana, to 
Sitha .\. McDaniel, a native of that county. 
He then engaged in teaching school until 
]86i, when with his family he removed to 
l'"airmount, Illinois, and ])urchased a farm, 
upon which he lived until 1871. He then 
took up liis abode on the uU\ Witherspoon 
homestead, w hich was his place of residence 
tuitil his death, which occurred February 19, 
1884. His study of political issues and 
c|uestions led him to support the Republi- 
can party and for fourteen \ears he served 
as assessor and collector of Sidell township. 
He also served as Republican committee- 
man from his township and did all in his 
]iow'er to advance the cause in which he be- 
lieved so lirmly. His religious faith was 
that of the Methodist Episco])al church. 
I lis first w-ife died February 12. 1876, and 
in 1879 he wedded Malissa Orr, a sister of 
his son's wife and a native of Indiana. By 
his hrst marriage Mr. Witherspoon had ten 
chililren, of whom Monroe and William, the 
first two, died in infancy. J. 1). married 
Elizalieth Orr and died in September. 1881, 
his widow being now a resident of Homer, 




L. M. WITHERSPOON. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



337 



Illinois. George married Ella lies and aft- 
er\\-ard wedded Mary Woods, his home be- 
ing now in Giljson county, Indiana. L. M. 
is the third of the family. Hattie is the 
wife of Ci. J. (jibson, a farmer living near 
Fairniount. lilmer E. wedded Jennie Car- 
ter and resides in Dan\ille. Mabel is the 
wife of W. C Hawkins, who resides upon 
a farm in Fairniount. Xora R. l)ecame the 
wife of J. B. JMichener and after his death 
married J. Perdue, with whom she is now 
living in Princeton, huliana. Lillie A. is 
the wife of A\'. B. Russell and they resitle 
on a farm near Catlin. 

^fr. W'itherspoon, whose name intro- 
duces this review. ])ursuetl his educatit)n in 
the Dougherty and Liberty district schools 
of A'ermilion county, his opportunities in 
that direction being somewhat limited. He 
attended only through the winter months, 
for in the summer seasons his labor was 
needed upon the farm. At the age of twen- 
ty he left school altt)gether, becoming an 
agriculturist, gi\'ing his entire attention to 
that pursuit. When twenty-one years of 
age he inherited forty acres of land of his 
father's estate and in a year sold that and 
purchased one hundred and thirty acres 
upon which he assumed an indebtedness. 
All this he ])ai(l for, however, in seven years, 
and in his farming operations he has ever 
been successful. 

On the 13th of I'^bruary, 1884, near 
Catl'u, ]\Ir. Witherspoon was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Milda Finley, who was born 
in that locality, March 18, 1864, a daughter 
of Ezra G. and Jane (Goodner) Finley, the 
former born in Westville, Illinois, and the 
latter in Georgetown, this state. They were 
married near Georgetown and Mr. Finley 
then de\-oted his attention and energies to 
farming and stock-raising. After a year he 
removed to his present home near Catlin, 



where he owns a valualjle tract of land. - His 
wife passed away September 12, 1892. Mr. 
Finley has refused to serve in political of- 
hces. but is an earnest advocate of Republi- 
can ])rinciples and is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal cliurch. In the early part 
of the Ci\il war he enlisted at Danville, in 
Company C, One Hundred and Twenty- 
hfth Illinois Jnfantr}-. and was wounded in 
the i)attle of Shiloh. after which he was hon- 
oralily discharged in August, 1862. by rea- 
son of his disability. He now belongs to 
the Grand Army of the Republic. Having 
lost his first wife, in March. 1895, lis was 
married in Catlin to Martha Thomas, also 
a nati\-e of \'ermilion county. By his first 
union be hail ten children, of whom six are 
yet living, as follows: Milda, now the wife 
of our subject: James M., who married Ab- 
bie Hewitt, and resides in Catlin; Oliver, 
who wedded Julietta White and resides in 
Danville: Ozias, who wedded Pearl Bu- 
chanan and makes his home in Catlin: Fan- 
nie, the wife of .Augustus Talbott, of Sid- 
ell, Illinois, and John, who is living with 
his father. By his second marriage Mr. 
Finley has two children, Elmore and Hen- 
ry, who are still with their parents. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Wither- 
spoon has been blessed with four children : 
Elsie, who was born near Fairniount, March 
4, 1885: Gertrude, born September 2, 1887, 
near Fairmount: Aha, born in Redlands, 
California. June 11, 1891 : and Clyde F., 
born in Jamaica, Illinois, November 28, 
1896. 

For live years after his marriage Mr. 
^^'ithersl)oon remained in A'ermilion coun- 
ty and then w^ent to Riverside, California, 
while later he located at Redlands, where 
he- was manager for the Mound City Land 
and Water Company. He also owned a 
nurserv of his own and remained on the 



338 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Pacific coast fur five years, after wliich he 
returned to tliis county and i)urchased a 
farm, upon which he is now hving. lie sold 
his property in California, wliicli has since 
proved very vahiable. On liis return here 
lie purcliased one hundred and sixty acres of 
land. This, together with an additional 
tract of forty acres, constitutes the farm 
upon which he now resides. His landed pos- 
sessions, however, aggregate four hundred 
and fifty acres and he is one of the jirosper- 
ous and representati\c farmers of the com- 
munity. In 1900 he erected his present 
handsome home which is built in Oueen Ann 
style of architecture. Mr. Witherspoon has 
raised much stuck fur the market, including 
hogs and horses, and is unquestionably one 
of the most progressive, energetic and wide- 
awake farmers of Vermilion county. 

In ])(ilitics our subject is a stalwart Re- 
publican, and (jn the 4th of June, 1902, he 
was appointed postmaster of Jamaica, in 
wliicli ofticc he is now serving. He belongs 
to the Modern Woodmen of .\merica and 
to the Methodist Episcopal church of Ja- 
maica, in which he is serving as a trustee 
and steward. He has also held several 
township offices and no trust reposed in Mr. 
Witherspoon has ever been betrayed in the 
slightest degree. Honor and integrity are 
synonymous with his name and his word is 
as good as any bond ever solemnized by 
signature or seal. Ilis business affairs 
have ever been liDinirablv conducted and be- 
cause of this the most envious cannot grudge 
him his success. 



ALBERT A. EERHALTER. 

All)ert .\. Berhalter, who is engaged in 
the undertaking business in Danville, was 
born in Noble county. Indiana, on the 4th 



of July, 1867, a son of Joseph and Erances 
(Schunder) Berhalter, both of whom were 
natives of Germany. When children they 
came together to .America and were mar- 
ried in this country after attaining years of 
maturity. 'Ihe father died Septemljer 4, 
1 88 1, at the age of fifty-si.\ years, and his 
wife, survi\ing him for several years, was 
called to her final rest Janu.iry 24, 1886, also 
when fifty-six years of age. The father en- 
gaged in cabinet-making and in the manu- 
facture of colfins. This has been a family of 
undertakers. There were nine children, 
three of whom are now engaged in the nn- 
dert;iking business, all of the boys devoting 
their energies to this ])ursuit. Those still 
li\-ing are John, Jose]jh \\'., Louise, Cjeorge, 
Etta. Charles and Albert .\. Those who 
have ])assed away are: Er;nik and Minnie. 
\\"ith the exception of our subject the living 
members of the family are all residents of 
Kcndallville. Indiana. 

In the ])ublic schools of his natix'e city 
.Mbert .\. Berhalter pursued his education. 
'I he father died when the son was only thir- 
teen years of age, after which Mr. Berhalter 
continued to attend schol through the win- 
ter months until eighteen years of age. In 
the summer he assisted in the business which 
had been instituted by his father, becoming 
thoroughly familiar with the trade both in 
principle and detail. He also acted as man- 
ager of the opera house in Kendallville for a 
time. On the nth of July, 1S88, he arrived 
in Danville, where he has since made his 
home. Here he entered the employ of X. A. 
Kimb.'ill. an undertaker and the owner of the 
present location and Ijusiness of the firm of 
Berhalter & Olmsted. This business has 
now been established for thirty-four years 
and throughout the period the enterprise has 
been a leading one in this line. On the 30th 
of June. 1893. in comjiany with William C. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



339 



Olmsted, Mr. Beriialter purchased the busi- 
ness of his employer, Air. Kimball, and the 
new firm has since conducted the trade with 
excellent success, their business constantly 
growing-. This undertaking establishment is 
a model one of the state and has been especi- 
ally designed, planned and fully equipped in 
the minutest detail. The building is a mod- 
ern structure with a full stone front. You 
first enter a vestibule, then pass on into the 
hall and on the right is a pleasant and com- 
modious waiting room, while on the left is a 
private otflce. In advance of the hall is a pri- 
vate chapel, morgue and stock room on the 
first floor. The entire second floor is occupied 
as a salesroom. The arrangement of the es- 
tablishment is such that perfect seclusion and 
privacy may be obtained by those who have 
occasion to arrange for the burial of their 
dead from this place, thus preserving the 
sacredness and solemnity of the occasion. 

On the 14th of September, 1892, Mr. 
Berhalter was united in marriage to Miss 
i\Iary Hurley, of La Salle, Illinois, and their 
union has been blessed with three children — 
Madeline Frances, Mary Hurley, and Lillian 
Nellie. .Socially Mr. Berhalter is connected 
with, the Knights of Pythias, the Improved 
Order of Red Men, Modern Woodmen of 
America, Benevolent and Protective Order 
of Elks and the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. His social qualities and genuine 
personal worth have rendered him a favorite 
not only in fraternal circles but where\'er he 
is known. 

AVilliam C. Olmsted, the junior member 
of the firm of Berhalter & Olmsted, under- 
takers of Danville, was born in Catlin, this 
county, on the 13th of October, 1861, and is 
a son of .A^lbert G. and Elizabeth (Wright) 
Olmsted. The father is still living, Imt the 
mother passed away on the 26th of July, 
1901, at the age of si.Kty-nine years. The 



paternal grandfather was Stanley Olmsted, 
a native of Jamestown, New York, who re- 
moved with his family to Vermilion county, 
Illinois, in 1840. He was a lumberman and 
he and his son, Albert, conducted a sawmill 
near Danville. The grandfather had also 
carried on business in the same line in James- 
town. New York, prior to his removal to the 
west. He died at the comparatively early 
age of thirty-nine years. The subject of this 
review was one of a family of eight children, 
five of whom are yet li\'ing-, namely: Will- 
iam C, Charles E., Mary, the wife of J. H. 
Palmer, George E. and Albert C, all of 
whom are residents of Danville. 

At the usual age Mr. Olmsted, of this re- 
view, entered the public schools where he 
continued his studies until alxiut sixteen 
years of age. At that time he became a fac- 
tor in the business world, by entering the 
employ of A. C. Daniels, a merchant with 
whom he remained for si.xteen years. This 
fact is certainly indicative of his capability, 
his fidelity to duty, his close application and 
also of the confidence and trust reposed in 
him by his employers. At length he severed 
his connection with that house and entered 
into partnership with Albert A. Berhalter in 
the undertaking business in Danville. For 
nine years they ha\'e conducted the establish- 
ment which was founded thirty-four years 
ago and they have kept it up to a high stand- 
ard, making it not only one of the leading 
enterprises of the kind in this city, Ijut also 
of the state because of its especially good 
equipment, because of the fine line of under- 
taking goods which they carry and by reason 
of the well arranged suite of rooms which 
they have, enabling their patrons who so de- 
sire to hold funeral services here with all the 
pri\'acv and seclusion of a home. Their 
salesrooms are situated on the second floor 
and contain a fine line of undertaking goods. 



340 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



As funeral directurs llie firm have gained a 
■wide reputation by reason of their careful 
management. 

On the 28th of January. 1886. Mr. Ohn- 
sled was united in marriage to Aliss Eva E. 
Beck, and they now ha\e two chuiglilers — 
Lola and Helen. 'J'he family is one well 
known in Dan\ille and the hospitality of 
their home is enjoyed 1)_\- their many friends. 
Mr. Olmsted is identified with a number of 
fraternal organizations. He belongs to the 
Benevolent i'rotective Order of Elks. Inde- 
jiendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Masonic 
fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Royal 
Arcanum, the Tribe of Ben Hur and the 
Alodern Woodmen. 



WILLIAM CLARK McREYNOLDS. 

\\'illiani Clark McReynolds has won the 
gratitude and honor of his fellow citizens 
by his loyalty to his country under all condi- 
tions. .\s long as patriotism is an element 
of American citizenship, as long as the sons 
of the new world ha\'e lo\e for their coun- 
try. S(i li.ng will the history of her soldiers 
be a matter of interest to the public. They 
are held in grateful remembrance l)y the 
])eo])le of their generatitni and their names 
will be honored through many ages by pos- 
terity. .\mong those who fought under the 
starry banner of the nation, both in the 
Mexican war and the war of the Rebellion 
was numbered William Clark McReynolds. 

He was born near Paris, Edgar county, 
Illinois. September i6, 1825, and was a son 
of the Rev. John McReynolds, a Methodist 
minisior. whose birth occurred in Kentucky 
anil who came to Illinois at an early date. 
In the family were three .sons and three 
daughters, the only surviving member, how- 
ever, being Richard W. McReynolds, a resi- 



dent of Covington, Kentucky, who is in the 
employ of the government as a gauger in a 
distillery. 

!Mr. McReynokls of this review ac(|uired 
his early education in the schools near his 
Ijoybood home, and on attaining bis ma- 
jority he went to 1','iris and enlisted in the 
Mexican war as a \olunteer in the United 
.States army under the command of General 
Shields and Captain McConkey. He spent 
his twenty-first birthda\- in this service, be- 
longing to Com])anv 11 of the First Illinois 
\'olunteer infantry, of which he was made 
lirsi lieutenant. Later he resigned on ac- 
count of his father's death and returned 
home to lake care of the family. When the 
counlr_\- became involved in civil wru'. 
he once more entered the .service antl was 
instrumental in organizing' the Fifty-second 
Indiana X'olunteer Regiment, of which he 
became colonel. There was an urgent need 
for troops in Kentucky and as the regiment 
had not its full (|uota it was consolidated 
with another command. consc(|uenll_v Mr. 
McReynolds acce])ted the commission of lieu- 
tenant colonel. He accompanied the regi- 
ment to the front but eventually resigned 
his commission and returned t(j his home in 
Rusliville. Indiana, taking his old position 
as cashier in the bank. 

During early manhood Mr. McUevnolds 
was engaged m merchandising at Paris. Il- 
linois, and was also in business with Jacob 
D. l-larly at Terre I lante. Indiana, for some 
)ears. briends of his who were interested 
in establishing a bank at Rusliville, Indiana, 
persuaded Mr. McReynolds to accept the po- 
sition of cashier, with George Hibben as 
])re^ident. and be was afterward highly 
comi)limentcd by Hon. Hugh McCullock, 
then president of all the banks of the state, 
for the condition of the one under his es- 
pecial charge. 




COL. W, C. McREYNOLDS. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



343 



In the spring of 1864 he arrived in Dan- 
ville and here secured a position as book- 
keeper for M. M. Wright, in whose service 
he remaineil for a number of years. Pinally 
he resigned and Ijecame buyer for L. T. 
Dickerson, of Pittsljurg, Pennsylvania, be- 
ing thus a representati\'e vi the business in- 
terests of this jilace until his health failed. 

In 1853 Mr. Reynolds was united in 
marriage to Miss Elizabeth M. Pearson, a 
nati\'e of Lixingston countx'. New York, and 
a daughter of John and Catherine ( Tiff- 
any) Pearson, of Canada. In their family 
were three children, but she has only one 
brother )et living, G. C. Pearson, while her 
elder brother, George T. Pearson, has now 
passed away. Unto our subject and his wife 
were Ijorn ten children, seven of whom 
reached maturity ; George, who is an en- 
gineer li\ing in California; John, deceased; 
Mrs. Jane TenBook Johns, of Danville, Illi- 
nois ; Mrs. Meta Doane, (jf Winfield, Kan- 
sas ; William Gustavus, deceased; Mrs. 
Mary Reiley, who is a resident of Danville; 
Mrs. Fannie Pearson Sloan, whose husband 
is in the secret service of United States ; 
Thomas, who, during the Spanish-American 
war, served with Battery A of Danville, and 
was a member of the Eleventh United States 
Cavalry which was sent to the Philippines; 
and Philip Barton, who was also a member 
of Battery A and was in active service. 
One child of the family died in infancv. 

Mr. McReynolds was called to his final 
rest on the ist of October, 1890, and his re- 
mains were interred in the Danville ceme- 
tery. He was a member of the Grand Army 
Post and of the Masonic fraternity, both of 
Paris, Illinois. He likewise belonged to the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 
politics Mr. McReynolds was a Whig in 
early life and afterward became a Democrat. 
He held membership in the Holy Trinity 



Episcopal church and was a man who in all 
the relations of life commanded the respect 
and confidence of those with whom he associ- 
ated. During the years of his. residence in 
Danville he won many friends. He was a 
citizen who by his blameless and upright life 
and honorable career reflected credit not 
onl}- upon the city in which he made his 
home but u]3on the state. True to every 
trust, he commanded the unqualified confi- 
dence of those with whom he was associ- 
ated in business and the warm regard of 
tliDse whom he met in social life. For a 
number of years he served as alderman of 
Danville and exerted considerable influence 
in public aft'airs. 



JAMES WILLIAMS. 

An honorable retirement from labor has 
been vouchsafed to James Williams, who, 
having put aside business cares is now living 
in a pleasant home at No. 708 Fairchild 
street, in Danville, surrounded by many 
comforts which have come to him as the re- 
sult of his former toil. He was at one time 
a progressive and enterprising farmer of 
Vermilion county, owning and operating 
three hundred and twenty acres of land in 
Jamaica townshi]). He is a native of Ohio, 
his birth ha\ ing occurred in Coshocton 
county on the 22d of Marcli, 1839. His fa- 
ther, Lewis B. Williams, was a native of the 
same county, while his grandfather was born 
in Maryland, his birth occurring in the city 
of Baltimore in 1765. The family were 
early settlers of that state. In 181 1 the 
grandfather left the si:>utli and made his way 
to Ohio, settling in Coshocton county, where 
he entered land from the government. This 
was covered with a dense growth of timber. 



344 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



but lie cleared away llie trees and in course 
of time developed a good farm. Lewis B. 
Williams was born upon that farm, was 
there reared to manhood and afterward as- 
sisted in carrying on the work of the home 
place. He married Rebecca McCoy, a na- 
tive of the Buckeye state and a daughter of 
William McCoy, who was one of the early 
settlers of Ohio, to which place he had re- 
moved from Pennsylvania. During the 
greater part of his life Lewis B. Williams 
resided upon the old family homestead in 
Washington township, his last years were 
there passed and he died in the spring 
of 1850 at the age of forty years. His wife 
had passed away in 1844, when the subject 
of this review was a child of only five years. 
James Williams was reared upon the old 
familv homestead and his common school 
advantages were somewhat meagre, for he 
Avas enabled to attend only in the winter 
months while in the summer he aided in the 
work of ])lowing, planting and harvesting. 
After arriving at years of maturity he was 
married in Coshocton county, in November, 
1858, to Miss ]Mindwell Roberts, a native 
of Ohio, born, reared and educated in Cos- 
hocton county. Her father, Dr. Martin 
Roberts, removed to the Buckeye state from 
New York. The }\iung couple began their 
domestic life upon an Ohio farm where they 
lived for about six years and in 1864 they 
<;ame to Illinois, settling in Vermilion coun- 
tv. Here Mr. Williams ])urchased land 
which was then in Carroll township. He 
and his brother-in-law, Isaac Turner, first 
bought one hundred and si.xty acres which 
they broke and fenced, developing a good 
farm. They worked together for about 
four years at the end of which time Mr. Wil- 
liams bought out Mr. Turner's interest and 
later he added to his farm from time to time 
purchasing and trading for more land. He 



now owns three hundred twenty acres in- 
cluded within two farms which are about a 
half mile apart. On his home place he erect- 
ed a good residence, substanti.'d barns and 
outbuildings, having two sets of buildings. 
He also tiled and fenced the place, planting 
fruit and shade trees, and there continued 
the work of cultivation, development and 
improvement until his farm was one of the 
best in the locality. In connection with the 
cultivation of the grain best adapted to this 
climate he was also engaged in raising a 
good grade of stock, feeding cattle and fit- 
ting them for the market. He began life in 
\'ermilion county with but little means, but 
l)y his own exertions, by unflagging indus- 
try and strong will he has steadily worked 
his way upward until he is now numbered 
among the substantial residents of this lo- 
cality. 

Unto Mr. and }ilrs. Williams were born 
four sons and four daughters: Miles, who 
is married and follows farming in Shelby 
countv. Illinois; Winfield Scott, who is en- 
gagetl in mining in Colorado; Lyman T., 
who is married and follows farming in 
Champaign county, Illinois; Fred, a resi- 
dent of Vermilion county; Ella May, the 
wife of James B. Lamar, of eastern Colo- 
rado; Mary M., Jessie P., .-ind Lizzie, all at 
home. The last named is a student in the 
high school of Danville. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Williams hold membership in the Methodist 
Episcopal church and he belongs to the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, being identified with the 
blue lodge of Danville. In his political 
views he is an ern-nest Republican ami has 
supported each j)residential nominee of the 
partv since he cast his first vote for Abraham 
Lincoln, in i860. He has never sought of- 
fice for himself, however, although he has 
served on the school board for a number of 
years and as township school trustee. He 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



345 



carried on his farm work until 1900 when he 
purchased his residence property in Danville 
and lias since li\ed a retired life in the city. 
He has made his home in \'ermilion county 
for thirty-eight years, during which time 
many changes have occurred. Within this 
period the prairies have been broken and 
transformed into rich fields; roads have been 
laid out and have been cut off from private 
property Ijy well kept fences ; progress and 
improvement have also been carried forward 
in town and city ; and in the work of develop- 
ment Mr. \^'illiams has borne his part. • He 
is a man of integrity and worth and he and 
his estimable wife and family are highly 
esteemed throughout the community. All 
that Mr. ^^''illiams possesses has come to him 
through his own enterprising efforts, his 
farm property being the just reward of his 
earnest labor. 



J. M. McCABE. 

Starting in business life as a farm hand 
and realizing that there is no royal road to 
wealth, J. M. McCabe early displayed the 
salient traits of his character which have 
made him a prosperous and leading man of 
Vermilion county. He is now residing in 
Fairmount where he owns and operates the 
tile works and has valuable property inter- 
ests, while his real estate possessions also in- 
clude farm lands in this county. 

Mr. McCabe was born February 19, 
1844, in Dearborn county, Indiana, a son of 
Alexander and Rhoda (Knapp) McCabe, the 
former a native of Ohio, while the latter was 
born near Niagara Falls, in New York. The 
McCabe family was established in Dearborn 
county, Indiana, when the father of our sub- 



ject was but ten years of age. After reach- 
ing years of maturity he was married there 
to Miss Knapp and turned his attention to 
agricultural pursuits, which he followed 
until sometime in the '70's, when he re- 
moved with his family to northwestern Mis- 
souri, there remaining for about twenty 
years. On the expiration of that period he 
continued his western journey to Indepen- 
dence, California, where both he and his wife 
spent their last days. In their family were 
eight children who reached years of ma- 
turity, while six of the number are yet liv- 
ing. Arad K., is now deceased. B. F. re- 
sides upon a farm in Dearborn county. In- 
diana. P. H. is a resident of Independence, 
California. S. L. lives in Oklahoma. J. M. 
is the next younger. William is engaged in 
farming in Oregon. Mrs. Olive A. Van 
\'acLer, a widow, is now living in Gentry 
county, Missouri. Emma, deceased, was the 
wife of Ed Myers of Indiana. 

In the district schools of his native coun- 
ty J. M. McCabe acquired his preliminary 
education, which was supplemented by study 
in tlie high school of Danville, Illinois. He , 
came to Vermilion county at the age of nine- 
teen years and for six months he was em- 
ployed by the month as a farm hand. Dur- 
ing the succeeding winter he engaged in 
teaching school. Afterward he worked by 
the month on a farm and engaged in teach- 
ing school. Desiring a companion and help- 
mate on life's journey he was married on the 
27th of November, 1865, in Fairmount, Il- 
linois, to Miss Mary E. Dougherty, a daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Jane (Dalby) Dougherty, 
the former a native of Ohio and the latter of 
Pennsylvania. Her father was one of the 
first settlers of Vermilion county and here 
engaged in farming, but both he and his wife 
have now passed away. In their family were 



346 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



seven children. Tlie Iionie of Mr. and .Mr.s. 
McCahe lias been blessed with four children, 
but only '.wo are now lixing, Effie and Elsie. 

As time has passed Mr. McCabe has jiros- 
pered in his business afl'airs, and making ju- 
dicious investments he has become one of the 
prosperous men of Iiis adopted county. He 
now owns and operates the large tile and 
brick works of Fairmount, an important in- 
dustry which ])roves of value to the com- 
munity by affording employment to a num- 
ber of men and at the same time brings him 
a very desirable return for his investment. 
He is also the owner of a zinc mint- in .Mis- 
souri, owns the bank building in this i)lace 
and good residence jjroperty here, besides 
one hundred and thirty-five acres of valuable 
land. He possesses keen lousiness discrim- 
ination and e.xecutive force. He forms his 
plans readily, is determined in their exe- 
cution and through his j)ersistencv of pur- 
pose and honoral)le dealing he has gained a 
place which is alike gratifying and lionor- 
al)le as one of the prominent Imsiness men of 
liis county. 

Socially he is connected with Fairmount 
Lodge, No. 590. F. & A. M.. and has served 
as its representative in the grand lodge. He 
also belongs to the ^b)dern Woodmen of 
America, and in politics he is inde])endent. 
voting for the men and measures rather than 
for the ]jarty. He has himself tilled se\eral 
of the township and city oiifices. although lie 
has never been a politician in the sense of 
oiifice seeking. At the present time he is 
serving as school treasurer. Mr. McCabe 
belongs to that class of re])resentati\e citi- 
zens who at all times have due regard for the 
welfare and upbuilding of the commnnilios 
with which they are connected, and no mat- 
ter how great their l)usiness interests, can 
always find time and ojiportunity to pro- 
mote the general welfare. 'Ihe entire period 



of his manhood has been passed in \'ermilion 
county and the friends who have known him 
throughout this period speak of him in terms 
of commendation, because his life has Ijeen 
consistent with honorable, manly principles. 



LEONARD R. MYERS. 

Leonard R. Myers, now deceased, was 
born in Reading, I'ennsylvania. January 
-'5. 1836. a son of Leonard and Hannah 
( Ratholan ) Myers, who were of Pennsyl- 
vania l^ntch descent. In the year 1854 Mr. 
Myers came to the west. belie\ing that he 
might ha\e better business opportunities 
in a less thickly settled district of the country 
where com])etition was not so great. .\c- 
conlingh' he came alone to Illinois and be- 
gan fp.rming in N'ermilion county upon 
rented land. In the meantime he dealt ex- 
tensively in stock, making a specialty of 
horses, and for some years he continued to 
rent land, but later he ]iurchased a farm 
com])rising what is now the greater part of 
the old homestead. There he lived for about 
eight years, when he purchased the .Mc- 
Knight farm on section 6, Oakwood town- 
ship, upon which his widow is now living. 
This is ])leasantly located one mile north of 
I'ithian'. As the vears passed .Mr. Myers 
prospered in his work and ac(|uire(l a very 
comfortable and desirable competence, and 
when he died he owned about six hundreil 
acres of valuable land all imi)roved. 

On the I St of January. i8(k>. occurred 
the marriage of Mr. Myers and Sarah E. 
l,owni;ui. .She was born July 13. 184''), in 
Oakwood tow nshii). and was reared and edu- 
cated here. She comes of an old \'irginian 
family and her great-grandfather was 
burned at the stake l)v Indians in \"irginia. 




L. R. MYERS. 




MRS. SARAH E. MYERS. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



351 



Her mother at the time of her death, wliich 
occurred in 1898, when she was seventy- 
two years of age, had thirty-six grandchil- 
dren and. twenty-one great-grandchildren. 
Her husband had died many years before, 
passing away at the age of forty-two. 

Unto Air. and Mrs. Myers were born 
eleven children : Mrs. Minnie Frederick, 
of Champaign county, Illinois; Mrs. Hattie 
Cessna, of Rochester, Indiana ; William, 
who marrietl Cora Black and is living in 
Lohrville, Iowa ; Leonard, who married Zena 
Wray and resides in Fithian ; Reuben, who 
wedded Doris Hayes and makes his home in 
Vermilion county: Mrs. Jeanette Mead, of 
this county ; Sylvia, who died at the age of 
eleven months; Winfred, who' married Fan- 
nie Bantz and resides upon the home farm ; 
Gracie, Lola and George, all at home. Mrs. 
Myers was the third in order of birth in a 
family of eleven children born unto George 
and Margaret Lowman, and of the num- 
ber five are now living. Her father came to 
this county at a very early day, cast in his 
lot with the early pioneer settlers and Mrs. 
Myers assisted in the fields bv dropping 
corn by hand, keeping up with the plow. 
She has seen wooden mold boards used with 
a breaking plow which was drawn by oxen, 
guided by a single rope line manufactured 
from flax. She can remember when the 
grain was cut with a sickle and later by a 
cradle, while all the clothing was of home 
manufacture, the girls wearing linsey 
dresses and flannel waists. The spinning- 
wheel at that time formed a part of the fur- 
nishings of every household and all cooking 
was done at an old-fashioned fireplace. The 
first mowing machine used in the neighbor- 
hood was brought into the county by Mrs. 
Myers" father, and people would come for 
miles to see it. In the early days Mrs. 
Myers aided in making candles by dipping 

15 



them and later candle molds came into use- 
On the J/th of April, 1897, she was called 
upon to mourn the loss of her husband. She 
has since remained upon the old homestead, 
where her son Winfred now resides, having 
charge of the home place. She has ten 
grandchildren and the family is one well 
known in the commuiity. 



WILLIAM J. BLACKSTOCK. 

The life history of William J. Black- 
stock, if written in detail, would furnish a 
'more thrilling story than is found on many 
of the pages of romance and fiction for his 
has been an eventful and varied career. He 
was born in Allegheny. Pennsylvania, Au- 
gust 14, 1S48. and is a son of James and 
Mary ( Ritchey) Blackstock. In the pater- 
nal line he comes of Scotch ancestry. His 
grandfather, Joseph Blackstock, was a na- 
tive of the land of the hills and heather and 
in early life he crossed the briny deep to the 
new world, settling in Canada, where the 
greater part of his years were passed. The 
maternal grandfather of our subject was 
Samuel Ritchey, a native of Bedford county, 
Pennsylvania, and spent his entire life there, 
following the occupation of farming. James 
Blackstock, the father of our subject, was 
born in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, and about 
1820 left that country and became a resi- 
dent of Canada, his home being near Que- 
bec where other members of the family were 
also located. He did not remain long in the 
Dominion, however, but removed to Pitts- 
buig, Pennsylvania, where he followed the 
trade of a carpenter and also engaged in tak- 
ing contracts along that line. He was united 
in marriage to Mary Ritchey. a native of 
Bedford count v and he died in 1862 at the 



352 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



age of fifty years, while liis wife, surviving 
him for some time, passed away at tlie age of 
sixty-six years. They were the parents of six 
children, two of whom are still living: Eliza- 
beth D., the wife of M. V. Freidenrich, of 
Philadelphia; and \Mlliani J. Of the others 
all died in infancy with the exception of 
Mamie, who reached the age of three years. 
William J. Blackstock attended school in 
his early boyhood l)ut through a little strat- 
egic movement on his part he managed to 
become a member of the iMfty-eighth Penn- 
sylvania Regiment for service during the 
Civil war and after serving for a time was 
discharged on his fifteenth birthday, the 14th 
of August, 1863. He was very young to 
have a soldier's record but while at the front 
he was always found faithful to his duty. 
Soon afterward he went up the Ohio river 
as a cook. In 1S64 be left that service, 
however, and went to Dakota, living, among 
the Indians for several years in that wild 
western district. In 1868-9 he traveled over 
the ground where Custer was killed and 
during his stay amid the various Indian 
camps he became acquainted with the leaders 
of all of the tribes of the northwest. For 
eight years he "roughed it" in Dakota and 
Montana and the history of that period of 
the development of the northwest is famil- 
iar to him through actual experience. In 
1872 he went to Minnesota, where he en- 
gaged in lumbering but after a short time he 
purchased the Pine County News, at Pine 
City, Minnesota, continuing its publication 
for five years. On the expiration of that 
period in 1877 he disposed of his plant and 
returned to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where 
he remained for one year and then removed 
to Sewickley, where he became the owner of 
the \'alley News. He changed the name of 
this paper to the Sewickley Tribune and re- 
mained its editor and publisher until 1884, 



when he sold out and again went to Pitts- 
burg. There he secured a position as repor- 
ter in the interest of the Gazette and was also 
employed on the Pittsburg Dispatch. In 
1887 he removed to Chicago, but after a 
few months he purchased the News at 
Crisman, Illinois, changing the name of that 
publication to the Courier. On .selling the 
plant there he came to Danville in 1891 and 
has since been engaged in the painting, pa- 
per hanging and contracting business here 
He receives a liberal patronage. He opened 
his present store in October, 1901, and the 
new enterprise has prospered from the be- 
ginning. 

In 1 88 1 occurred ttlie marriage of Mr. 
Blackstock and Miss Ella MacNutt, a 
daughter of William and Matilda (McFar- 
land) McXutt, both of whom were natives 
of Pennsylvania, born near Philadelphia in 
which locality they spent their entire lives, 
the mother dying when only thirty-three 
years of age, while the father reached the 
vaiiced age of eighty-six year. The ]\Ic- 
I<"arlands were highlanders of Scotland, 
there being only a slight trace of English 
blood found in Mrs. Blackstock's family. In 
his political views Mr. Blackstock is an earn- 
est Republican, unfaltering in his allegiance 
to the principles of the party and taking an 
active part in its work, doing everything in 
his power to promote its growth and insure 
its success. 



WILLIAM T. SANDUSKY. 

William T. Sandusky was born in Bour- 
bon county, Kentucky, March i, 1829, his 
])arents being William and Julia (Earp) 
Sandusky, the former a native of Kentucky 
and the latter of Virginia. They were mar- 
ried in the Blue Grass state and in the fall 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



353 



of 1829 remo\'ed from Bourbon covintv to 
Shelln' county, Illinois, making the journey 
overland in. a cox^ered wagon. Everything 
was new and wild and the father purchased 
ii claim. He arrived in the fall of the year 
and died in the following March. His 
Avidow survived him only until 1840, when 
she, too, passed awa}'. In their family were 
three children anil the two sisters are now 
<leceascd. 

William T. Sandusky was only eleven 
years of age when left an orphan. While 
he resided in Shelbv county, he rememliers 
to ha^•e seen the fires started with an old tlint 
gun. He can well remember the first wheat 
Thread that he e\er saw, the flour being 
ground in a watermill. He also remembers 
of visiting a family in which were ten girls 
and they had two looms and all of the 
dresses for common and Sunday wear were 
made from cloth woven in these looms. 
They carded and spun their own cotton. 

From early youth Mr. Sandusky has 
been dependent upon his own resources for 
a living. In the year 1848 he came to Ver- 
milion county driving a herd of cattle to this 
portion of the state. He had previously 
journeyed on foot to Indiana in order to find 
work and had returned again in the same 
manner to Shelbyville, Kentucky, where he 
liired out to a Mr. Smith a cattle dealer, for 
whom he brought a herd to Vermilion coun- 
ty. His employer drove a herd to New 
York and after his return in connection with 
our subject took a second herd there. Mr. 
Sandusky left Mr. Smith in the east while 
he rode back to Illinois making the distance 
■of over one thousand miles in twenty days. 
Arriving here he fed cattle during the fall 
and winter. He also worked in Shelby coun- 
ty, Illinois, for one hundred and twenty dol- 
lars per year and his board, spending three 
years on a fann. Thinking that this was a 



slov,' way of making money he statred for 
California in 1853 from \'ermilion county. 
He had then but three or four hundred dol- 
lars. Proceeding to New York he went by 
steamer by way of the isthmus of Panama 
and spent three years in the gold regions of 
the Pacific coast, both mining and superin- 
tending a large farm. He was successful 
there and after his return he began trading 
in cattle in Illinois. It was his intention to 
again go to California but he decided other- 
wise and became interested in farming and 
stock dealing. At times he visited all of the 
western territories and the second time he 
started for California, going as far as Indi- 
ana. There lie entered into partnership in 
a hotel business in Greencastle, Putnam 
county, and after three years he conducted 
that house alone. For a similar period he 
was proprietor of the Junction House and 
then with the capital he had acquired 
throug'h his earnest efforts he returned to Il- 
linois and purchased a farm in Vermilion 
county, buying one hundred and sixty acres 
for which he paid six thousand dollars in 
cash. After three or four months he pur- 
chased another farm of one hundred and 
ninety acres for which he paid eight thous- 
and dollars. For his third farm he gave four 
thousand dollars. Thus from time to time 
he purchased land and the last farm which 
he bought was sold at seventy-five dollars per 
acre. To-day he owns about six hundred 
acres of valuable land, all under cultivation. 
Much of this is underlaid by a six foot vein 
of coal and his farming property is all in Cat- 
lin township and he is now numbered among 
the substantial and prosperous agricultur- 
ists in this part of the state. For thirty-five 
years he engaged in feeding cattle, following 
that business until about three years ago. 
He also fed about eighty hogs annually. He 
now has four taiement houses on his farms 



354 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



and tlie rental fruni liis jjlaces and the \nn- 
ducts of liis fields return to liiin a splendid 
income. He ditl his first plowing witii a 
wooden mold board and cultivated his land 
with a single shovel, driving his horses with 
a rope line. He used to drop sod corn with 
a breaking plow for ten cents per day and 
has driven a si.K-yoke team of oxen to a 
breaking plow for a similar wage. All that 
was in marked contrast to his present posi- 
tion as one of the prosperous agriculturists 
of th.e county. He cut grain with a reap 
liook and performed much arduous labor 
and experienced many liardships and trials. 
He drove cows and hogs in 1846. going 
barefooted. He was then in his seven- 
teentii year. He took the cattle across the 
])rairies to the Cliicago market and on the re- 
turn trip drove a yoke of oxen. It was 
necessary to ford the Kankakee ri\er which 
was then unbridged and at nights lie would 
camp out on tlie ])rairies. Taking his pro- 
visions with him he would fry l)acon and 
make "slap jack" imd coffee. .Ml of the 
experiences of pioneer life were familiar to 
him through actual contact with its modes 
of living. He has worked for twenty-five 
cents per day and \\hile still in Shelby coun- 
ty lie made nuls for twenty-five cents per 
hundrerl. and with the money thus earned 
he purcliased cloth from a neighbor woman 
and from this had a suit of clothing made. 
He can rememl)er tliat (hn'ing his mother's 
time llic only way of coloring cloth was with 
black walnut bark. The only overcoat Mr. 
Sandusky e\er saw while living in Sliclb\' 
county was made of an English piece of 
liroadcloth and cost seventy-five dollars. 

On the 30th of Xo\ember. 1859. oc- 
curred the marriage of Mr. Sandusky and 
Miss lunily Clements, who was born in 
Shelbyvilie. Illinois, May 28, 1839, a daugh- 
ter of John and Emily (Livers) Clements, 



win I were natives of Maryland and Ijecame 
very early settlers of Shelby coimty. In the 
family of Mr. and Mrs. Sandusky were two 
children wlio are yet living: Mrs. Maggie 
Hickman, of Catlin township,; and Katie, 
who keeps house for her father. She is cer- 
tainly proficient in the work and makes a 
very pleasant home for her father in his de- 
clining years. Mrs. Sandusky died January 
13, 1899, and her death was deeply mourned 
by iicr faniilv and many friends. Mr. San- 
dusky is now in his sevcnty-tliirtl year and 
is one of the honored and worthy pioneers 
of tlie state. His has been a varied and 
eventful life, not only because of his ex- 
l)erience as a frontier settler in Illinois, but 
also becau.sc of his career as a California 
pioneer and ranchman. 



JOHX BALTHASAR WILLICS. 

It refjuircs courage and resolution to 
sever the connections which bind one to his 
nati\e land and cast in his lot with the peo- 
ple of a new country with whose language, 
liabits and liusiness methods he is unfa- 
miliar. It is a venture the outcome of whicli 
cannot be foretold, and yet there are certain 
elements which are irresistible in business 
life throughout the world and if one pos- 
sesses these the venture cannot but partake 
of success in some measure at least. Mr. 
W'illius came to .\merica from the father- 
land, his birth having occurred in Mainz, in 
the ]irovince of Rhine Hesse, Germany, 
January 28, 1857. His parents were George 
Andreas and Katherina W'illius. the former 
a merchant tailor. 

The son began his education in the pub- 
lic schools of his native city and afterward 
entered the high school, in which pupils are 
prepared for entering mercantile life, and in 




JOHN B. WILLIUS. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



357 



that institution Mr. Willius was graduated 
in the year 1S72. There were many ele- 
ments of character displayed in his boyhood 
that showed a strong love of nature and its 
beauties. During his school days he de- 
lighted to gather flowers, insects and ferns 
and to wander among the beautiful hills and 
fields that border the Rhine. All these pro- 
pensities were indicati\e of the strong trait 
of character which has been manifest 
throughout his entire career and is now ex- 
•emplified in the department of business ac- 
tivity to which he devotes his energies. 

After completing his school life he en- 
tered his father's store and later he was ap- 
prenticed to a tailor to learn the trade, but it 
was distasteful to him and after a time he 
abandoned work in that direction. It was 
his desire to be a florist and accordingly his 
father paid five hundred marks to a repre- 
sentati\'e of that business who would teach 
his son all he knew concerning the best 
methods of cultivating and producing flow- 
ers and plants. When he had mastered the 
trade Mr. \Villius traveled o\-er different sec- 
tions of Germanv and was employed in \-a- 
rious cities, but the opportunities of the new 
world attracted him and he resolved to test 
the truth of the favorable reports which he 
had heard concerning America. Crossing 
the Atlantic to the United States he was em- 
ployed in New York for a time and then 
Avent west to Chicago, but was unable to ob- 
tain work as a florist in that city and he 
therefore entered the service of a farmer and 
was sent to W'aukesha county, Wisconsm. 
but in the autumn of the same vear he re- 
turned to Chicago and as he was still unable 
to obtain employment in the field of his cho- 
sen calling he accepted a situation in a pre- 
serve factory. The following spring, how- 
ever, he was more fortunate, for he secured 
■work in a floral establishment and finallv he 



came to Danville, where he was made fore- 
man of the florist business. When eighteen 
months had thus passed he returned to Chi- 
cago to his former employer, but the man 
whom he had served in Danvillle did not 
wish to lose his services and induced him to 
again come to this city. With a laudable 
ambition to engage in business on his own 
account he afterward went to Fremont, Ne- 
braska, receiving favorable reports of the 
town and of the opportunities for a florist at 
that place. Accordingly he removed with 
his family to the west, but did not find things 
as represented and after six months he re- 
turned to Danville for the third and last 
time, for he has never since left this city and 
since the ist of August, 1894, he has con- 
ducted a prosperous and growing business 
of his own. He established his greenhouse 
and gardens on the Covington road and for 
more than five years has engaged in the re- 
tail trade, in selling flowers at No. 134 Ver- 
milion street, in Danville. 

In Chicago, on the ist of November, 
1884, Mr. Willius was united in marriage 
to Lena Schultz ,and unto them have been 
born three children, but the eldest, a daugh- 
ter, died in Chicago at the age of eighteen 
months. George Gotlieb, the second, is now 
fifteen years of age, and the third, Charles, 
is but three years of age. Mr. Willius has 
been a member of the Odd Fellows Society 
since 1893 ''"d for one term he served as 
noble grand in his lodge. In 1893 he be- 
came connected with the Modern Woodmen 
of America, and he belongs to the Metho- 
dist church. He has endeavored to make his 
life an exemplification of the golden rule 
and thus his business career has ever been 
honorable and straightforward, while 
among his friends he is known for his fidel- 
ity, benevolence and consideration. His 
greatest interest centers in his home, and he 



358 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



finds liis chief happiness in spending the 
hours outside of business witli his wife and 
chilih'en. 

While in liis native country he served for 
two years in the Sixth Company of the 
Eighty-seventli Nassau Regiment of In- 
fantry, at Mainz, and was discharged as of- 
ficer of reserve. He was never under arrest 
for a single hour or paid a disciplinarian 
fine. In politics he is a prominent Repulili- 
can never failing to cast his ballot for the 
men and measures of the party, yet he has 
ne\-cr sought or desired office for himself. 
He is now a re])resentati\e and successful 
business man of Danville, but he did not 
stumble upon his success by chance; he has 
earned it by a lifetime of solid work intelli- 
genlly directed to a single end. Nor has he 
ever taken advantage of the necessities of 
his fellow men in his dealings with those 
who give to him their patronage. 



J. M. W'JLKIXS. M. D. 

Dr. J. I\J. W'ilkins is the loved family 
physician of many a household of Vermilion 
county. Through many years he has prac- 
ticed his profession in this ])art of the state, 
carrying encouragement and comfort into 
the residences of the rich and poor alike. 
The qualities of an upright manhood and of 
a generous sympathetic nature as well as his 
professional skill have endeared him to those 
with w 1)1 im he has come in contact. 

Tlie Doctor was born in Marion county, 
Ohio. September 22. 1826. The Wilkins 
family was founded in America by Thomas 
and Austin W'ilkins, who came to the colo- 
nies from England at the time of the Re\o- 
lutionary war. Thomas settled in Marion 
county, Ohio, and after his family hafl 



grown up he and his wife, in the evening of 
life, went to live with their son Benjamin in 
I'.ranch county. Michigan, remaining there 
until they were called to their final rest. The 
other brother settled in the state of Virginia. 
He had two sons, one of whom resides in 
Crawfcrdsville. Indiana, w ihlc the other is 
living in Charleston, Illinois, and is serv- 
ing as circuit judge there. Both have been 
l)rominent in public ofihce. 

Samuel W'ilkins. the father of our sub- 
ject, was Ixirn in Ohio and after arriving at 
years of maturity he was married in ]\Iarion 
county to Miss Mary Mclntx're. whose 
grandparents were killed by the Indian's in 
Xew Jersey during colonial days. They were 
living in a log house and on one occasion 
their cattle strayed away from home and 
they followed them until finding them when 
they started on the way back with their 
stock. Before they reached home, however, 
they were surprised by a band of sixteen In- 
dian warriors who shot the husband. Joe 
McTntyrc, scal])ed him and took his clothes 
and rille. They made his wife a cajitive and 
when the cattle returned home the sixteen 
year-old son realized that something was 
wrong. He then went in search of his par- 
ents and found the father dead. Telling the 
tale to the neighljors. a company of twenty 
men was formed and following the Indians, 
surprised them and killed all but one. who 
afterward died . The mother was found dead 
in the vicinity of their camp, having been 
murdered by the red men. At the time of 
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. W'ilkins located 
in Ohio, where the father carried on farming 
until ins (ieaih, which occurred about 1830. 
The motiier afterward removed with her 
onlv child, our subject, to Lagrange county, 
Indiana. She gave her hand in marriage 
there to Thomas Gothup, who died in 1842. 
Later she became a resident of Michigan and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



359 



married John Sinclair. Her death occurred 
at Chilhcothe, Missouri, in 1857. By her 
second marriage she had three daughters and 
a son, of whom two are living. Jane is the 
widow of William Townsley, a resident of 
Caledonia, Michigan, and Keturah is the wife 
of William Race, who resides at Turkey 
Prairie, near Ligonier, Indiana. By the 
mother's third marriage there was one son, 
Thomas Sinclair, who is now living in Ouin- 
cy, ^Michigan. 

Dr. Wilkins, whose name introduces this 
review, began his education in a log school- 
house which stood on the side of a marsh, in 
Branch county, Michigan. Later he at- 
tended school in Lagrange county, Indiana, 
becoming a student in Lagrange County 
Association school. Subsequently he en- 
gaged in teaching for one term in Steuben 
county and for one term in Porter county, 
Indiana, also one term in Lagrange county, 
Michigan. In 1845, when nineteen years of 
age, he took up the study of medicine under 
the direction of Dr. R. A. Cameron and la- 
ter he attended lectures in the Indiana Med- 
ical College at Laporte, Indiana, where he 
was graduatetl with the class of 1850. Re- 
turning then to Branch county, Michigan, 
he th.ere practiced for four years and on the 
2d of January, 1854. he arrived in New- 
town, Vermilion county. Illinois, where he 
opened an office. 

On the 2Sth of September, 1852, in 
Branch county, Ixlichigan, Dr. Wilkins was 
united in marriage to ]Miss Mahitable Pond, 
^\■ho \\-as born in Cattaraugus county. New 
York. August 10, 1833. She was descended 
from one of two brothers, who came from 
England to Ameica in an early day, her an- 
cestor settling in Vermont, while the other 
brother located in Virgina. Her paternal 
grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier 
under Washington and afterward served his 



country in tlie war of 1812, the g'overnment 
granting him a pension for his aid in the 
army. I\lrs. Wilkins" father, Willard 
Henr}' Pond, was born in Sudbury, Rutland 
county Vermont, August 8, 1800, and died 
in September, 1869, while 'his wife. Miss 
Phebe Aijjjey. was born in Connecticut, Feb- 
ruary I J. i3o2, and died No\-ember 2j, 
i86g. They were married in Madison, Con- 
necticut, in 1822, and the father was en- 
gaged in farming. During the girlhood of 
Mrs. \\'ilkins he removed with his family to 
Ohio and subsequently to Fairmount, Illi- 
nois, where his death occurred. In his polit- 
ical views he was a Republican and voted for 
Abraham Lincoln. He belonged to the Ma- 
sonic fraternity and to the Baptist church, 
while liis wife held memljersbip in the Meth- 
odist church. In the familv of this worthy 
couple were seven children, three boys and 
four girls, of whom two are living — Mrs. 
Wilkins and Mrs. Louis A. Smith, a resi- 
dent of Odin, Illinois. 

in the year of 1859 Dr. Wilkins and his 
wife removed to Conkeytown, Vermilion 
couiUy, where they remained some time 
and in ^863 came to b'airmount, which was 
their ])]ace of residence until 1880. In that 
year they went to Garnet, Kansas, where the 
Doctor practiced for two vears and then re- 
moved to Ottawa, that state, where he re- 
sided for twelve years. His next place of 
residence was in Fontana, ^liami county, 
Kansas, where he remained until October, 
iQoo. when he went to Chicago, Illinois. In 
May, 1901, however, he returned to Fair- 
mount, where he is now living. Throughout 
all these years he has continued the practice 
of his profession, his entire life being de- 
voted with conscientious zeal to the allevia- 
tion of human suffering-. He has been a 
most studious physician and owns a large 
and valuable librarv with the contents of 



36o 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



\vhich he is thoroughly famihar, in fact, he 
is regarded as one of the most learned and 
capahle menihers of the medical jjrofession 
of Illinois. The Doctor is also a courteous 
gentleman, charitable to a fault. Never has 
the road been too long or the weather too in- 
clement for the Doctor to visit those who 
are suffering, no matter what their finan- 
cial circumstances are in life, the poor re- 
ceiving the same attention as that which is 
•g'wen to his richer neighbor. The Doctor 
was a charter member of the \'ermilion 
County Medical Association and in i8<S3 he 
became a member of the State Medical Asso- 
ciation of Kansas. Three years later he 
joined the National Medical Association 
and he is also a member of the Illionis State 
Medical .Association. In his practice he has 
ever made a special study of the nervous 
svstem and of nervous diseases, claiming 
that this system is the most intricate and 
important of all the parts of the body. 

Unto Dr. Wilkins and his wife have been 
liorn three sons and three daughters : Mary 
A., born August 6, 1852, died September 8, 
1S52. Ida ;\Iay, born March 31, 1854, died 
in Nnvemlier of the same year. Jennie E., 
born February 12, 1856, is the wife of 
Charles Bezensen. a resident of Chicago, by 
whom she has two sons. Fred W. and John 
M. Charles A., born January 3, 1858. was 
married in Central City, Colorado, to Ma- 
tilda Malmsburg, and is now a ci\'il engin- 
eer, mine prospector and assayer of Lead- 
ville. that state. He has three children, Hat- 
tie, Phebe and Abasha. I'rank L.. born May 
2.:]., i860, died October 11, 1862. Fred, born 
October 3, 1864, was married in Ottawa. 
Kansas, to Hattie Bement and their children 
are Tracey, Bessie and .\lberl. 'idieir home 
is now in Englewood. lllinijis, where Fred 
Wilkins is a well known professional musi- 
cian. 



Dr. Wilkins was made a Mason in 1868, 
bec(,>ming a member of Fairmount Lodge, 
No. 590, F. & A. M. He is also a member 
of b'ainnount Lodge, No. 319, I. O. O. F., 
and belongs to the Odd Fellaws Encamp- 
ment of Danville, and is a member of the 
grand lodge of the state. For thirteen years 
he represented Fairmount in the grand lodge 
and for two terms he has been chief patri- 
arch. He has al\va}'s refused to hold i)ublic 
office, but in his political affiliations is an 
earnest and loyal Republican. Both the 
Doctor and his wife are members of the 
Ba])tist church and are most highly esteemed 
residents here. Many accord to the medical 
profession the highest rank among the call- 
ings to which man devotes his energies. At 
all e\cnts it is one of the most important 
and great are the responsibilities which rest 
u]x)n the physician. Dr. \\'ilkins has fully 
met e\erv obligation which has de\iil\ed 
upon him in this connection and with con- 
scientious eft'ort has met the demands of the 
])ul)lic for his professional services. He has 
continually promoted his proficiency through 
comprehensive reading and study, and, 
moreover, he has a deep human sympathy 
without which medical research. l)ringing 
with it broad knowledge, is of little a\-ail. 



CHARLES \V. WARNER. 

The press has not onlv recorded the his- 
tory of ad\'ancement, liul has also e\'er been 
the leader in the work of progress and im- 
provement, — the vanguard of civilization. 
The philosopher of some centuries ago pro- 
claimed the truth that "the pen is mightier 
than the sword," and the statement is con- 
tinually being x-erified in the affairs of life. 
In molding public opinion the power of the 





u. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



363 



newspaper cannot be estimated, but at all 
e\'ents its influence is greater than any other 
single agency. Mr. Warner is a well known 
representative of tlie journalistic interests 
of Vermilion county, being the editor and 
proprietor of the Hooi)eston Chronicle. 
Through the columns of his paper he has 
e\-er ad\ocated progress, reform and im- 
provement and has exercised marked in- 
fluence in behalf of the general welfare here. 
He is also the efficient postmaster of the 
town and as a public oi^cial has gained the 
commendation of his fellow citizens. 

Mr. Warner was torn near Crawfords- 
ville, Indiana, on the J4th of January, 1857, 
his parents being Abner and Mary (Cad- 
wallader) ^\'arner, the former a native of 
Ohio and the latter born near Crawfords- 
ville, Indiana. They were married at Old 
Darlington and for many years they trav- 
eled life's journey together, but in 1888 
were separated liy the death of the husljand. 
Mrs. AVarner still survives and is living in 
Rossville. Mr. Warner was a farmer by oc- 
cupation, lie came to Illinois in 1850 and 
here herded cattle on the prairies, driving 
them across the country to the Philadelphia 
markets. He thus dealt in stock in his 
younger years but in later life he turned his 
attention to farming, which he followed in 
Vermilion county, meeting with fair suc- 
cess. His death occurred in Rossville. In 
the family were but two children, the 
younger brother being Perry ]\I., who is 
manager of the Telephone Exchange at 
Rossville. 

During his earl_\' boyhood days Charles 
W. ^\'arner accomi)anied his parents on 
their removal to Rossville, where he ac- 
quired his preliminary education. He after- 
ward engaged in teaching for two terms in 
the district schools of Champaign county. 
He received further mental discipline in the 



"poor man's college" — a printing office, — 
learning the printer's trade in Rossville after 
leaving school and before teaching. When 
he had completed his work as an educator 
he canie to Hoopeston and was employed in 
the office of the Chronicle, which was then 
owned by Dale Wallace, with whom he re- 
mained for three years. During this time 
he also served as journal clerk in the state 
legislature of the thirty-second general as- 
sembly, appointed through the influence of 
Messrs. Butteiiield and Holden, members of 
the house from his district. On the ist 
of July. 1882, Mr. W^arner purchased the 
Chronicle plant, incurring an indebtedness 
of three thousand dollars in order to do this. 
He has since been editor and proprietor of 
the paper, which he has successfully pub- 
lished. Owing to an increased circulation, 
to a good advertising patronage and to his 
capable management, he has been enabled 
to discharge the indebtedness and he now 
publishes both a daily and weekly edition of 
the Chronicle, which is regarded as one of 
the best papers which comes from the press 
of this portion of the state. He employs 
six people and has a well equipped office. 
There is a gas engine, a cylinder press and 
all of the latest improvements usually found 
in a first class printing office. The paper is 
devoted to the local interests and to the dis- 
semination of general news and has proved 
a profitable investment. 

In the year 1889 Mr. Warner was 
elected postmaster. Congressman Cannon 
calling an election for that purpose, because 
there were seven candidates in the field. 
Mr. Warner was the choice of the people 
and served acceptably in the office during 
President Harrison's administration. He 
tired and was superseded by a Democrat 
during President Cleveland's term of office 
and was then again appointed by President 



3^4 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



]\IcKinley, and was a lliird time appointed 
by President Roosevelt, so that lie is now 
the incumbent. His administration is prac- 
tical, business-like and progressive and the 
affairs of the oiBce are capably managed b)- 
him. He has likewise ser\ed as city clerk 
and at the present time he is a mcin1)er of 
the Cfjunty committee of the Republican par- 
ty, being a recognized leader in the ranks of 
that organization. 

On the 13th of December, 1883, in 
Hoopeston, Mr. Warner was united in mar- 
riage with Aliss Lillian Clark, who was born 
at \\'enona, Illinois, on the 9th of May, 
1864, and they have one child, Gladys, born 
December 8, 1891. Mrs. Henrietta B. 
Clark, the mother of Mrs. Warner, is also 
a member of the household, and they have 
a pleasant home at the corner of Penn and 
Third streets. Mr. Warner is a prominent 
Mason, belonging to Star Lodge, No. 709, 
F. & A. M.. Hoopeston Chapter, No. 181, 
R. .\. M., and Grant Council, No. 89, R. & 
S. -M. He is also a member of Hoopeston 
Lodge, No. 193. K. P., and Hoopeston 
Camp, No. 257, M. W. A. He has passed 
all of the chairs in the Knights of Pythias 
lodge and has been a delegate to its grand 
lodge and deputy grand chancellor of the 
order. Mr. Warner's political, fraternal 
and business relations has brought him a 
wide acquaintance and he is justly esteemed 
as one of the progressive, enterprising and 
respected citizens of his adopted county. 



P.VTRICK MAKTIX. 

Vermilion county has been the home and 
tlie scene of labor of many men who iiave not 
only led Hves that should .serve as an ex- 

ami)lc to those who come after them but have 



also been of important service to the com- 
munity through \arious avenues of useful- 
ness. Among them may be numbered Pat- 
rick Martin, who ilied at his pleasant home 
iii Danville on the 20th of April, 1896. 

He was horn in County Kilkenny. Ire- 
land. March 3. 1840. a son of Michael and 
Julia Martin, who were natives of the same 
county, where they continued to reside until 
1 85 1. That year witnessed the emigration 
of the family to .\merica, and on -landing in 
X'ew ^'ork. March 17. they proceeded at 
once to Schenectady. Xew York, where they 
spent only a short time, however. They next 
went to Michigan City, Indiana, and a few 
vears later liveil for brief periods in Ottowa 
and Chicago. Illinois, finally locating near 
Statcline. where the father improved a farm. 
In the meantime he was looking up a favor- 
al)lc location with the intention of buying a 
place and was not satisfied until he found a 
farm near h'airmount, Vermilion county, 
upon which he and his wife spent the re- 
mainder of their ]i\es. They were the pa- 
rents oi five children, who are still living, 
namely: Bridget, now the wi(U)w of 
Thomas Caxanagh and a resident of Dan- 
ville: Mary, widow of John W;dl and a resi- 
dent of Terre Haute, Indiana; Walter, an 
engineer on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chi- 
cago & St. Louis Railroad and a resident of 
Indi;niapolis. Indiana: Ella, now Mrs. Pat- 
terson, of Cripple Creek, Colorado: and An- 
nie, wife of Edward Langin, of Lousi- 
\ilk'. Kentucky. 

Our subject's educational advantages 
were limited. At the age of eleven years he 
c;une with his parents to the new world and 
continued lo assist his father in the opera- 
tion of the home farm until the Civil war 
broke out. Having a sincere love for his 
adopted country he enlisted in 1862 for 
three vears" service, becoming a member of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



365 



Company E, Seventy-tliird Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry, which was under the com- 
mand of Generals Sheridan and Grant. He 
was in a numher of engagements, including 
those of the Atlanta campaign, and was 
wounded in the battle of Franklin by a bul- 
let in the leg-. After some time spent in the 
hospital he received an honorable discharge 
on account of his wound, March 25, 1865, 
and returned home. 

In 1868 Mr. Martin married Miss Sarah 
Tighe, who was also born in Ireland, March 
17, 1834, her parents, Dennis and Mary 
Tighe, spending their entire lives in that 
country. By occupation her father was a 
farmer. Of the four children born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Martin, Annie died in 1894, Mary 
is living with her mother in Danville, and 
the other two died in infancy. 

After his marriage Mr. Martin pur- 
chased a farm near Fairmount, where he 
continued to reside for several years, his 
time and attention being devoted to gen- 
eral farming and stock raising. Later 
he bought a farm near Homer, this 
county, where he made his home until 
his removal to the city of Danville in 
1890. A hard working, industrious and en- 
ergetic man, he had acquired a comfortable 
comiietence and was able to spend his last 
years in ease and retirment from active la- 
bor. Bv his ballot he always supported the 
men and measures of the Democratic party 
but never cared for the honors or emolu- 
ments of public office. Like his wife and 
daughter he held membership in the Catho- 
lic churcli, and his upright, lionorable life 
won for him the confidence and high regard 
of all with whom he was brought in coh- 
tact. Mr. Martin eminently deserves classi- 
fication among the purely self-made men of 
the county who have distinguished them- 
selves for their ability to master the oppos- 



ing forces of life and to wrest from fate a 
large measure of success and an honorable 
name. He left to his widow some \-alual)le 
propert}- in Danville, including the beauti- 
ful residence at Xo. 442 Jackson street, 
which she and her daughter now occupy, and 
also a fine farm of one hundred acres near 
the \-illage of Tilton in this county. She is 
a most estimable lady and was to her hus- 
band a faithful companion and helpmate, 
aifling and encourag'ing him in every possi- 
ble May along the pathway of life. 



JOHX A. PHILLIPS. 

The sul.iject of this re\'iew is a self-made 
man wlio, without any extraordinary family 
or pecuniary advantages at the commence- 
ment of life, has battled earnestly and ener- 
getically, and by indomitable courage and 
integrity has achieved both character and a 
comfortable competence. By sheer force of 
will and untiring effort he has worked his 
way U])ward aiiil is numbered among the 
leading business men of Danville. He is 
now the proprietor of the Phillips Laundry, 
(jne of the leading enterprises of this char- 
acter in \'ermili<in county. 

John A. Phillips was born in Fountain 
county, Indiana, January 23, 1848, his par- 
ents being Jackson and Margaret (McQuig) 
Phillips. The Phillips family was origin- 
ally from Virginia and the McOuigs are 
from Ohio. Unti) the parents of our subject 
were Ixjrn four children : Edward, who 
makes his home in Danville; Frank T., who 
is living in [Montana: Ora, also of Danville; 
and John A. The father died at the age of 
fifty-eight years and the mother passed away 
at the age of sixty-seven years. 

When a youth of only thirteen years 



366 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



John A. I'liillips started mit ti.i make his 
own way in tlie world. Jie is tlierefore 
lai'g'ely a self-educated as well as self-made 
man and thfonjfh readinji^. experience and 
<jl)servati(»n he has gradually ailded to the 
knowledge he liad acquired in the puhlic 
schools in his early youth. He began to 
earn his own livelihood by working as a 
farm hand and in 1860 he accepted the posi- 
tion of assistant to a photographer who was 
deaf and dumb and who had formed 
an attachment for Mr. Phillips, teach- 
ing him the business in his art gal- 
lery in Fairbiu'v. Illinois. Our sub- 
ject continued this connection with pho- 
tography for twenty years, fifteen years 
of which time he was engaged in business in 
Danville, having located here in 187 1. In 
1885 he and his bnjther, Frank T. Phillips, 
formed a ])artnership and established the 
Phillips Lamidry, which is the leading en- 
terprise of its kind in this city and our sub- 
ject is now sole proprietor. He took charge 
of the business in 1893 and five years later 
he purchased his brother's interest and has 
since been sole owner. When they estab- 
lished their laundry they employed eight peo- 
])le. inchuUng two washers and two ironing 
men. Their business has so increased in vol- 
uiue that they now give employment to thir- 
ty people, including seven washers. The 
plant is splendidly cf|uip|)e(l, ha\ing an eigh- 
ty horse-power boiler, two twenty-six inch 
extractors, a collar and cuff Troy ironcr, 
number five and nine regular ironers, and 
their machinery is all run by gas, which is 
manufactured by a i)atent process in the 
building. Mr. Phillijis also has a shirt and 
collar dryer which is a machine of his own 
de\ice. There is also a carpet cleaning ma- 
chine. It is the most modern and perfect 
plant of the kind in \^ermilion county, l-'our 
■wagons arc utili/;ed in calling and delivering 



goods and the business has now grown in 
volume until it has assumed very extensive 
and profitable proportions. 

In 1873 Mr. Phillips was united in mar- 
riage to Rosa Xoyes, a daughter of William 
Xoyes, a native of Kentucky now living in 
Danville, b'our children have been l)orn of 
this marriage: George A.; William, who 
died .\ugust 10. 1901, at the age of twenty- 
three years : Roy B. ; and Frank A., who is an 
assistant in the laundry. The parents hold 
membershi]) in the Methodist Episcopal 
chrurch and Mr. Phillips is a jirom- 
inent Odd Fellow. For ten consecu- 
ti\c years he served as a represent- 
ti>e to the grand encampment. He is 
also identified with the Knights of Pyth- 
ias, the Modern Woodmen, the Court of 
Honor and the Battery A Association. 
Ilis success has been by no means the result 
of fortunate circumstances, but has come to 
him through energy, labor and perseverance, 
directed by an evenly balanced mind and by 
honorable business principles. He com- 
luands the respect of all with whom he 
comes in contact and his hi)noral)le career 
excites their admiration. 



JAMES J. RICE. 

This venerable and highly honored gen- 
tleman, now a nongenarian, was born in 
Chautauc|ua county, New York, June 13, 
181 2, and since 1835 he has been a resident 
of Vermilion county. Although the snows 
of many winters have whitened his hair he 
seems to possess the vigor of a man of much 
vounger age, for nature is kind to those who 
alnise not her laws and Mr. Rice's career has 
been one of right living. Throughout his 
long life he has ever commanded the regard 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



367 



and confidence of his fellow men and his ex- 
ample should serve as an inspiration to the 
young and is well worthy of emulation. Air. 
Rice comes of good old Revolutionary stock. 
His maternal grandfather was of Scotch de- 
scent and served for seven years as a mem- 
ber of the Colonial army, fighting for the in- 
dependence of the nation. Silas Rice, the fa- 
ther, was born in eastern New York and died 
when awav from home. His wife bore the 
maiden name of Phebe Leonard and was a 
native of Cayuga county, Xew York. She 
died in Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1857, 
at the age of seventy-seven. In their family 
were eight children, of whom only three are 
now li\ing: J. J., of this review; Lucy and 
Hannah. The sister Lucy is the widow of 
Isaac Balengee, who was a soldier of the 
Confederate army and is now deceased. She 
makes her home in Danville. Hannah is the 
wife of Charles Clifton, of Omaha, Ne- 
braska. 

In the fall of 1835 Mr. Rice of this re- 
view came to Vermilion county with his 
mother and li\ed for nine years on Salt 
Fork. He then removed to Pilot township, 
taking up his abode in the eastern part, and 
there lived for five years, when he moved to 
his farm on section 16, where he resided un- 
til about fifteen years ago, when he and his 
wife removed to Charity, where he has since 
made his home. Since the death of his wife 
in 1901 \lr. Rice has made his home with 
his daughter, Mrs. Harter, of Charity. He 
started out in the business world with less 
than one hundred dollars, but now he is a 
man of affluence, owning two hundred and 
forty acres of valuable land, worth one hun- 
dred dollars per acre. .\11 this has been ac- 
quired through his own perseverance, dili- 
gence and honesty. 

On the nth of September, 1845, ^^''• 
Rice was united in marriage to Miss Mary 



Davis, who was born in Pickaway county, 
Ohio, September 13, 1823. They traveled 
life's journey together for almost fifty-six 
}'ears and then on the 12th of August, 1901, 
Mrs. Rice was called to her final rest, when 
nearly seventy-eight years of age. She was 
one of a family of seven children, her broth- 
ers and sisters being as follows : Irene, who 
is the widow of F. M. Brewer and resides in 
Indiana ; Emily, the widow of George Wil- 
son, her home being near Ouincy, Illinois ; 
Cynthia Ann, who is the widow of Milton 
Cannon, and lives in Chicago ; Diana, the 
widow of Daniel Cannon, residing near Fith- 
ian ; Lura J., the widow of James H. West, 
and a resident of Kansas ; and Owen, who 
married Sarah Brown and is a farmer of 
-Vrkansas. Seven children were born unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Rice, but only three are now 
living. Bruce L. died January 5, 1902, 
from blood poisoning caused by an injury 
sustained in a runaway. He was then fifty- 
six years of age. Fie servetl in the Civil war 
as a private, entering the army when only 
eighteen years of age for one hundred days' 
ser\-ice. He had seven children : Mary, 
Grant, Minnie, Oscar, Lucy, Elmer and 
Grace. Isaac, who is living in Arkansas, has 
two children. Perry and Jessie. George C. 
was killed at Oakwood while weighing grain 
at the elevator. He fell into the hopper and 
was suffocated August 29, 1902. He had 
been a merchant in Oakwood for about fif- 
teen years and had previously been a mer- 
chant and the postmaster at Charity. He 
was a graduate of the University of Cham- 
paign and was a very prominent and influ- 
tial citizen here. Recognized as one of the 
leaders of the Republican party he served as 
a member of the county central committee. 
He was also a devoted Christian gentleman 
and his death, which occurred when he was 
fifty-two years of age, was very deeply 



368 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



mourned. Emeretta is tlie wife of T. J. 
Harter, of Charity, and they have five chil- 
dren : John, NelHe, LilHe, Roy and George. 
Mr. Harter is now operating the old home 
place and Mr. Rice lives with him and his 
wife in Charity. John D. makes his home in 
Arkansas and has one child, Carl. Mary C. 
became the wife of Solomon Strong and 
died in Chicago, September 29, 1891. Jas- 
per, the youngest of the family, has also 
passed away. All of the children were born 
on the old home place with the exception of 
two. There are also fi\-e great-grandchil- 
dren : Arvin and Leora are the children of 
IMrs. Mary E. Bates, of Des Moines, Iowa ; 
Wesley is the child of Oscar Rice; Beatrice 
Irene is the daughter of Mrs. Nellie Scaff, 
of Charity; Edith May is the daughter of 
Lillie M. Cline, of Charity. Three of the 
children of Mrs. Emeretta Harter are also 
married : John wedded Daisy Eubank and 
lives in Fithian; Nellie is the wife of D. L. 
Scaff. of Charity; and Lillie is the wife of 
Mack T. Cline, of the same place. 

Mr. Rice is now the oldest living settler 
of Pilot township and of the county now liv- 
ing in this township. He entered eighty 
acres of land from the government and after- 
ward purchased forty acres of the school 
land when it was placed upon the market. 
With characteristic energy he began the de- 
velopment of his farm and though he had 
crude farming implements compared to the 
improved machinery at the present day, it 
was not long before his land was placed un- 
der the plow and made to yield good returns 
for his efforts. He always provided com- 
fortably for his family and is to-day the 
owner of valuable interests here. For more 
than sixty years he has been a devoted mem- 
ber of the Church of Christ and through a 
long period has served as one of its elders. 
During the past forty years he has advocated 



Prohibition principles. In his early life his 
political support was given to the Whig par- 
ty and u])on its dissolution he joined the 
ranks of the new Republican party. For the 
past twenty years Mr. Rice has voted the 
Prohibition ticket. For many years he filled 
the office of school director and has served 
on county and state juries, in matters of 
citizenship he has ever been public spirited 
and ])rogTessive, taking an active interest in 
whatever has tended to promote the general 
progress. He has ever been honorable and 
straightforward in all his dealings and rela- 
tions with his fellow men and now in the 
evening of life he can look back over the past 
without regret and forward to the future 
without fear. His name comm.ands respect 
l)ecause he has ever been true to upright 
principles. Certainly he deserves honorable 
mention in the history of Vermilion county 
and, indeed, the record of this portion of the 
state woulfl be incomplete without an ac- 
count of his life. 



SETH FAIRCHILD. 

Among the brave men who devoted the 
opening years of their manhood to the de- 
fense of our country during the dark days 
of the Civil war was Seth Fairchilil, who 
throughout his active business life was iden- 
tified with the interests of Vermilion coun- 
ty. He was a native of this county, born 
near Danville, Illinois, October 14, 1836, 
and was a son of Orman and Hannah 
(Wagnon) Fairchild. His father died here, 
and after his death his widow, who was a 
native of Kentucky, resided in Vermilion 
county. 

It was in 1872 that Seth Fairchild took 
up his abode in Danville rod for two years 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



369 



carried the mail between this place and East 
Lynn. Later he made his home in Potomac, 
this county, for six years, and while resid- 
ing there was employed to carry the mail be- 
tween there and Danville. At the end of that 
period he removed to a farm in Blount town- 
ship and throughout the remainder of his 
life was successfully engaged in farming", be- 
ing a practical agriculturist and a man of 
good business ability. 

When the south attempted to secede Mr. 
Fairchild resolved to join the boys in blue 
and it was not long after hostilities began 
that he enlisted on the ist of June, 1861, in 
Company B, Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry. With his company he participated 
in many important battles and skirmishes 
and during the engagement at Chattanooga 
was wounded in the foot, being confined in 
the hospital there nine days. When his term 
of enlistment expired he was honorably dis- 
charged at Springfield, Illinois, September 
5, 1864, and returned to his home in this 
county. 

In 1865 Mr. Fairchild married Miss 
Pleuma H. Lyon, who was born in Ohio 
Junction, July 26, 1846. Pier parents, Fred- 
erick and Bolivia (McCleary) Lyon, were 
also natives of the Buckeye state, where in 
early life the father followed the carpenter's 
trade and later was captain on a canal boat, 
his home being at Ohio Junction, where he 
died when Mrs. Fairchild was young. Her 
mother married again. 

Seven children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Fairchild but only three are now living. 
Laura B. is the wife of William Crawford, a 
contractor of Danville. John, also a con- 
tractor, who lives with his mother, married 
Katie Trout and has three thildren, Lowell 
O., Edith L. and John Leo. Stella is now 
clerking in the Danville Department store in 
Danville. Those of the family now deceased 



are Freddie, May, Luther and a daughter 
who died in infancy unnamed. 

Mr. Fairchild continued to make his 
home upon his farm in Blount township un- 
til his death, which occurred on the 13th of 
March, 1886. By his ballot he always sup- 
ported men and measures of the Republican 
party and took considerable interest in pub- 
lic affairs, aiding in promoting all enter- 
prises wdiich he belie\-ed would advance the 
moral, social or material welfare of the com- 
munity in which he lived. He was a con- 
sistent member of the Kimber Methodist 
Episcopal church of Danville, to which his 
wife and children also belong. For two 
years and a half after his death Mrs. Fair- 
child continued to reside on the farm and 
then removed to Danville, erecting there her 
present comfortable residence at No. 11 24 
Gilbert street. Her son owns other Danville 
property, including a place on the corner of 
Madison and Chandler streets and in Ver- 
milion Fleights. 



JOHN G. SHEA. 

Prominent among the energ^etic, far-see- 
ing and successful business men of Danville 
is John G. Shea, president of the Danville 
Brick and Tile Company, incorporated. His 
life history most happily illustrates what 
may be attained by faithful and continued 
effort in carrying out an honest purpose. In- 
tegrity, activity and energy have been the 
crowning points in his success and his con- 
nection with various business enterprises and 
industries have been of decided advantage 
to different sections of Illinois, promoting 
their material welfare in no uncertain man- 
ner. 

Mr. Shea was born in Ireland, July i, 
1842, a son of Dennis and Honora (Sulli- 



370 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



van) Sliea. who were also natives of the 
Emerald isle. In 1850 the father brought 
his family to the new world and took up his 
residence in Cobiirg, Canada, where he en- 
gaged in farming f(jr several years. He then 
came to Illinois, where he followed the same 
pursuit up to the time of his death, which oc- 
curred in 1887. His wife passed away in 
1889. 

louring his boyhood and youth John G. 
Shea attended the common schools of Can- 
ada and after com])leting his education went 
to Auburn, Xew "^'ork, where he was lo- 
cated when the country became involved in 
civil war. Feeling that his adopted country 
needed his services, he enlisted in 1861, in 
Coni])any !>, Xinetecntli Xew ^'ork Infantry, 
which afterward became Battery E, Third 
Xew York Artillery, and served as an (j\er- 
seer on the engineer corps. He partici])ated 
in a number of skirmishes but was ne\-er in- 
jured in any way and was finally discharged 
at .\uburn, Xew York, in June, 1863. 

Mr. Shea then came to Illinois and set- 
tled in Cumberland county, where he was en- 
gaged in farming for a year, and at the end 
of that time crossed the plains to the Pacitk 
coast, the following four years being de\-oted 
to mining in California and .\rizona. On 
the expiration of that term lie returned east 
and located in Decatur, where he was en- 
gaged in the grocery business until 1888. 
He lirst embarked in the manufacture of 
jjrick and tile, becoming manager of the De- 
catur Tile Company. He also liad charge 
of the erection of their plant, and he remod- 
eled and became interested in two plants at 
Ouincy, Illinois, manufacturing pa\ing lirick 
and dry pressed brick. In 1896 he sold his 
interest in tiie I3ecatur works, but is still 
connected with those at Quincy, liis son be- 
ing the present sui)erintendent, secretary and 
treasurer of the same. Mr. Shea removed 



tt) Danxille in 1892 and settled at X'ermiiion 
Heigiits. where he bought his present plant 
and has since carried on business here. The 
business was incor])t)rated in 1892 under tlie 
name of the Danville Brick and Tile Com- 
jianw with our subject as jjresident and 
treasurer: his son John C, vice president 
and his wife, secretary. They manufacture 
all kinds of paving brick, selling largely to 
the local trade, and have supplied a portion 
of the brick for the streets of Danville. l)ut 
they have also shipped brick to Chicago antl 
Mattoon, Illinois, and to South Bend, Indi- 
ana, having built up a large trade in these 
and other cities. The companv has a \'ery 
extensive plant and regularly emi)lovs c)ver 
forty hands. Mr. Shea also owns a coal 
mine near his works, from which he gets his 
supply of coal to carry on the business. His 
office is at his residence at Xo. 100 Warring- 
Ion ayenue, \'ermilion Heights, in the same 
locality. Besides his valuable property in 
this state he also owns a nice ranch in south- 
ern California. 

On April 17, 187J, Mr. Shea mar- 
ried Miss Lusannah Clark, who was born in 
West \'irginia, on the 17th of July, 1845. 
Her parents, Cornelius and .\bigail 
( Wright ) Clark, were both natives of Mas- 
sachusetts and she is able to trace her an- 
cestry back to the Clarks that came to this 
countrv in the Mavllowcr. Her father was 
interested in a number of difYerent enter- 
prises. I le not only followed farming but 
he owned and operated salt works in West 
\'irginia and also run a grist and saw mill 
there. I.;itcr he came west and died in Coles 
county. Illinois, while the death of his wife 
occtn-red in Decatur, this state, at the age of 
eighty years. 

Mr. and .Mrs. Shea have two children, 
John C. the older, was born August 26, 
1873. and was graduated at the uni\ersity at 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



371 



Urbana, Illinois, as an electrical engineer. 
He married I'Vances Meyers and is now liv- 
ing in Ouincy. where he is superintedent of 
his father's tile works but expects soon to 
remove to Danville and assist in the works 
here. Willard \V., born December 17, 1880, 
receixed a college education and was a sol- 
dier in the Cuban war, belonging to the bat- 
tery from Danville. He married Elizabeth 
Dinwiddle and lives on one of his father's 
ranches in southern California. 

In politics Mr. Shea is a Republican but 
is an advocate of the free coinage of silver. 
While a resident of Decatur he took quite an 
acti\e and prominent part in local politics 
and served as alderman of the city for two 
years. Fraternally he is a member of the 
Masonic order, the Crand Army of the Re- 
public and the Royal Templars, all of Dan- 
ville, and his wife is a member of the Uni- 
tarian church and was president of the Wo- 
man's Christian Temjjerance Union of De- 
catur. Druing the ten years he has been a 
resident of this city he has become one of its 
leading and influential business men. Thor- 
oughness and persistency have characterized 
his entire business career and have been sup- 
plen^.ented by careful attention to details and 
by honorable straightforward effort that has 
gained him a most excellent and enviable 
reputation. 



\^■fLLIAM H. YORK. 

William H. \'ork, who for many years 
has been a well known liveryman at Ridge- 
farm, was born in Phelps county, Missouri, 
November 24, 1854, and is a son of William 
and Mary ( Dodd ) York. The father went 
to Missouri from eastern Tennessee about 
1833. being at that time nineteen years of 
age. He was reared as a farmer lad and on 

16 



attaining his majority he wedded Mary 
Dodd, and they became the parents of three 
daughters and two sons. The mother died 
near Rolla. Missouri, in i86_'. The father 
remained in that state until 1867 when with 
his family he went to Edmonson, Kentucky, 
and in 1877 with his children he removed to 
Texas, where he is still living. Two sisters 
of our subject reside in the Lone Star state 
and one sister is now a resident of Sumner 
county, Kansas. 

William H. York of this review pur- 
sued a common-school education and at the 
age of sixteen left his Kentucky home to 
make his own way in the world. He came 
direct to Ridgefarm where he has lived con- 
tinuously since the year 1871. For some 
nineteen years he was engaged in rail- 
roading on various railroads, as station 
agent and ojjcrator. In 1898 he became 
connected with the lixer)- business and 
has since owned and conducted a barn 
in which he has a number of good horses 
and fine vehicles. His earnest desire to 
please his patrons, combinerl with an oblig- 
ing manner and honorable dealings has been 
the means of bringing to him a [jrofitalile 
trade. 

On the 7th of March, 1877, Mr. York 
was united in marriage to Miss Alice Lewis, 
a daughter of Caleb and Esther Lewis, of 
Ridgefarm. Her parents were natives of 
Indiana and Mrs. York had three sisters, of 
whom two are still living. Our subject and 
his wife have resided continuously in Ridge- 
farm from the time of their marriage with 
the exception of a brief period of three 
years, when they were living in Vermilion 
county, Indiana, and one year in Texas. 
They have four children : Roy. who is now 
twenty-two years of age, is married and lives 
in Dallas, Texas, with his wife and one 
child ; Glenna, eighteen years of age, Katie. 



372 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



thirteen years of age. and Lewis, who is a 
Httle lad of seven summers, arc at home with 
their parents. 

Mr. York is independent in his pohtical 
views and afliliations. He belongs to the 
Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fellows So- 
ciety and the Knights of Pythias, and is a 
good citizen, acti\e in support of measures 
for the general welfare and is popular with 
his many friends and neighbors. From an 
early age he has been dependent upon his 
own resources and as the architect of his o\\ n 
fortunes he has budded wisely and well. 



GEORGE DILLOX. 

[n public oliice George Dillon won for 
himself a reputation for loyalty and tidehty 
and in pri\ate life he gained the highest re- 
gard of his fellow luen liy reason of his pos- 
session of many excellent traits of character. 
He was for many years a leading and influ- 
ential citizen of Danville and he left the im- 
press of his individuality upon the devel- 
opment of the city and upon its policy in 
public office. He represented one of the old 
Ouaker families of the county and was born 
near Georgetown on the i6th of January, 
iSv". his parents being Luke and Charity 
(Wrio-bt) Dillon. His father removed 
from North Carolina to Ohio at a very early 
day and was a resident of that state until 
1830. when he came to the west, settling in 
\'ermilion county. He took up his abode 
on a farm near Georgetown and there de- 
voted his attention to agricultural pursuits 
throughout his remaining days, passing 
away in 1852. His wife also <lied on the 
old home place there and after her denuse 
T\[r. Dillon was again married, his second 
union being with Miss Sarah Haywortb, 



who is also now deceased. There were ten 
children born of the first union but none 
s\u'vive. 

George DilKju pursued his education in 
tb.e country schools of Georgetown town- 
ship and after putting aside his text l»oks 
he engaged in farming there, carrying on 
the work of tilling the soil and culti.-ating 
his crops until the country became involved 
iu civil war. When it was seen that the re- 
bellion in the south would not be easily 
crushed out and that more troops were 
needed Mr. Dillon enlisted in Company D, 
nne Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois In- 
fantrv for three years. With his command 
he participated in many battles of import- 
ance and in the engagement at Dallas, 
Georgia, he was wounded in the right arm. 
He was then taken to the h(jspital at Chat- 
tanooga, Tennessee, and later was trans- 
ferred to the hospital at Nashville, where 
his arm was amputated. Thus he made a 
great sacrifice for his country and he cer- 
tainly deserves the gratitude of the nation 
because of the assistance which he rendered 
in preserving the Union. From Xashvdle 
he was transferred to the hospital in Mound 
City. Illinois, where, in 1865, he received an 
honorable discharge. Immediately there- 
after he returned to his farm in Georgetown 
township. Vermilion county, and for a long 
period devoted his energies to agricultural 
pursuits. 

Prior to entering the army Mr. Ddlon 
had married on the 7th of :\Iarch, 1861, 
Miss Desdemona F. IMartin, a daughter of 
Henry and Mary (ISIorgan) Martin. Her 
father was a native of Virginia and also 
liecame an early settler of Vermilion county, 
having taken up his abode in Georgetown 
township in 1820. There he devoted his at- 
tention, to farm work throughout the re- 
mainder of his life. He was also justice of 




GEORGE DILLON. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



375 



the peace there for several yeai's. Fi\'e chil- 
dren of his family are yet living, namely : 
Presley, a farmer of Blount township ; Eli- 
za, the wife of A. Spicer, a resident farmer 
of Georgetown township: Martha, the wife 
of Jesse Ragel, of Georgetown; Achilles, 
who is secretary of the water company of 
Riverside, California: and Mrs. Dillon. 
L'^nto our sul)ject and his wife have heen 
born eight children, but two of the number 
died in infancy. The others are: Lucre- 
tia Alma, the wife of C. S. Johnson, a prin- 
ter of Danville; William S., a bookkeeper 
of the city; ilannah, the wife of Harvey 
Johnson, a traveling salesman of Danville ; 
Grace, the wife of Phillip Yeager, a con- 
tractor of Danville; Joseph G., a bookkeeper 
of this city; and Robert M., at home. 

^Vhile living on his farm Mr. Dillon held 
many township ofiices, proving a most cap- 
able and trustworthy official. In October, 
1868, he removed to Danville and was 
elected circuit clerk of Vermilion county, 
which offi.ce he continued to fill for twelve 
years. No higher testimonial of his fidelity 
and promptness could be given than the fact 
that he was chosen by popular suffrage to 
the office so many terms. He was after- 
ward a member of the board of supervisors 
of the county and has held other official po- 
sitions. On his retirement from the office 
of circuit clerk he was elected justice of the 
peace and filled that office with credit to 
himself and satisfaction to his constituents 
until his death, which occurred on the 26th 
of September, 1891. To some extent he 
also dealt in real estate here and built a nice 
residence at No. 214 Robinson street, which 
is yet occupied by his widow. 

In his politics he was a very earnest and 
pronounced Republican and took an active 
interest in the success of his party. He be- 
longed to Kenesaw Post, No. y-], G. A. R., 



of Dan\-ille, and was its honored commander 
at the time of his demise. He was also a 
mendjer of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, of this city, and both he and his 
wife held membership in the Church of 
Christ, of Danville. Pie took a very deep 
and helpful interest in the church work, 
scr\-ed as elder for many years and at the 
time of his death was a member of the board 
of deacons. I'rom the time the church was 
Ijuilt in Danville he continuously served in 
one offi.ce or another and his labors in its 
behalf were effecti\e and far reaching. 
0\-er the record of his public career and his 
private life there falls no shadow of wrong 
or suspicion of evil. He left his wife in 
\-ery comfortably circumstances and in ad- 
dition to the property on Robinson street 
she is also the owner of several other dwell- 
ings in Daiiville and of a store building 
here. This property was acquired by Mr. 
Dillon tlirough his marked energy, enter- 
prise and careful management. His life 
was exemplary in many respects and he had 
the esteem of his friends and the confidence 
of those with whom he had business rela- 
tions. 

♦ « » 

W. I. BAIRD. 

W. I. Baird is well known in Jamaica, 
having gained a favorable place in public re- 
gard while acting as telegraph operator and 
station agent here. At the present time he is 
engaged in the grain trade, owning an ele- 
vator. Mr. Baird is a native of Champaign 
county, Illinois, born January 28, 1870, his 
parents being J. C. and Eliza (Jones) Baird, 
the former a native of Brown county, Ohio, 
and the latter of Clermont county. Ohio. 
They were married in Clermont county, lo- 
cating upon a farm there and in 1869 they 



3/6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



sought a lionie in liliiuns, making their way 
westward to Champaign county, where the 
fatlier again carried on agricultural pursuits. 
In \Sq2 he removed to Shelby county. Illi- 
nois, where both he and his wife arc still Ii\ - 
ing. In his jjolitical views he is a Repub- 
lican and. at the time of the Civil war he 
manifested his loyalty to tlie Union cause by 
enlisting as a member of Company B, Fifty- 
ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in July, 1861. 
With the boys in blue of his command he 
went to the front and served faithfully until 
September, i8('-j, when his term of service 
having expired he was honorably dis- 
charged, lie had i)articipaled in the battles 
of Shiloh, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga. 
Kenesaw Mountain, Pittsburg Landing and 
in all (if the engagements of the Atlanta cam- 
paign, preceding Sherman's celebrated 
march to the sea. .\t the l^attle of Shiloh 
he was wounded in the abdomen. He now 
belongs to the Grand .\rmy of the Rei)ublic, 
thus maintaining pleasant relations with his 
comrades of the blue. He has held a great 
many township oflices, proving capable and 
efficient in public ser\ice and he is a member 
of the Christian church. In his family were 
ten childern ; Charles, who died at the age 
of twenty years ; Dora, who died at the age 
of twenty-five years; W. I., who is the oldest 
living .son: Martha, who died in infancy; 
Howard, who is married and resides in Ni- 
antic, Illinois; IScrtha. who is engaged in 
teaching in the public schools and makes her 
home with her ])arcnts; .\rthur, John. Ethel 
and ]\lyrlk-, all of whcim are still under the 
parental roof. 

W. T. Baird pursued his early education 
in the Xorth Raymond school near Sidney, 
Illinois, and afterward attended in the 
Whitehall district near Broadland, lllinnis. 
He subsequently was a student in the Nor- 
mal school at \"alparaiso, Indiana, after 



which iie returned to Champaign county. 
There he engaged in teacliing for two years, 
after which he attended a school in Janes- 
ville. Wisconsin, taking uji the study of te- 
legraphy, in which course he was graduated 
in i?92. He next entered the services of the 
Chicago ;"<: Eastern Illinois Railroad Com- 
])any, serving as relief agent for that road 
for si.x months on the Chicago division. On 
the 2(\ of January, 1894, he came to Jamaica 
as station agent and telegraj)h operator, con- 
tinuously filling the position with marked 
capability until February, 1901, when he re- 
signed and pmxhased the grain elevator 
wliich he now owns. Already he has be- 
come established in a good trade, which is 
returning to him a profitable income. 

On Christmas day of 1894. at (ioldheld, 
Iowa, was celebrated the marriage of W. 1. 
Baird and Miss Ethel Jones, who was born 
in Moultrie county, Illinois, on the 13th of 
December. 1S73, her jjarents being J. R. and 
Rebecca (Wilson) Jones, the former a na- 
tive of Indiana, while the latter was born in 
Moultrie county, Illinois, where their mar- 
riage was celebrated. There they located 
and Mr. Jones engaged in farming until 
1894, when with his wife he removed to 
Iowa, where tlie\- are now li\ing. He is a 
Repuljlic.in in his political adherence and js 
at present serving as notary public and justice 
of the peace. In his religious faith he and 
his wife are both members of the ?^Iethodist 
F,pisco])al church of Jamaica, and he is now 
superintendent of the Sunday-school and 
president of the Epworth League. Fra- 
ternally he is connected with Longview 
Lodge Xo. 254, 1. O. O. F., and Jamaica 
Cani]i. Xo. 9222, M. W. A., in which he is 
ser\ing as clerk. 

.Mr. and Mrs. Bairtl have a pleasant resi- 
dence in Jamaica and the hospitality of the 
best homes is extended to them. His courte- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ous obliging manner and helpful disposition 
made Mr. Baird a popular station agent and 
he is equally well and favorably known as a 
grain merchant. 



TAMES O'NEAL. 



James O'Neal has the distinction and 
honor of being the first white child horn in 
\'ermilion county. Here he has resided for 
more than eighty years, his birth having oc- 
curred in Georgetown township, on the 20th 
of April, 1822. People of the twentieth cen- 
tury can scarcely realize the struggles and 
danger which attended the early settlers, the 
heroism and self-sacrifice of lives passed upon 
'the borders of civilization, the hardships en- 
dured, the difficulties overcome, — these tales 
of the early days read almost like a romance 
to those who have known only modern pros- 
perity and con\'eniences. To the pioneer of 
the early day, far removed from the pri\-i- 
leges and conveniences of city or town, the 
struggle for existence was a stern and hard 
one and these men and women must have 
possessed indomitable energy and sterling- 
worth of character, as well as marked 
physical courage when they v.illingly 
selected such a life and successfully fought 
its battles under such circumstances as 
prevailed in the west. The parents of our 
subject were Thomas and Sarah (Howard) 
O'Neal, the former a native of Nelson coun- 
ty, Kentucky, and the latter of Indiana. It 
was in the year 1821 that the father came 
to this county, settling near Brooks Point, 
where he took up a claim that embraces what 
is now the Caraway farm. There he resided 
for three years and then entered eighty acres 
of land near the Big Vermilion creek. After 



moving (;n the Vermilion ri\-er he estab- 
lished a tannery, made and dressed his own 
leather, and made shoes for his family. He 
made Indian moccasins for the use of him- 
self and family and to sell to the Indians. 
These Indians were principally of the Potta- 
v,-attamie and Kickapoo tribes. Most oi the 
winter was spent in making rails and clear- 
ing up ground, thus adding about ten acres 
every season to the tillable land. After the 
Black Hawk war broke out he saddled his 
horse and with his gun on liis shoulder went 
into the service, taking the place of his oldest 
son who had gone se\-eral months before." 
and there remained until the close of the 
war. 'He developed a good farm there and 
was engaged in agricultural pursuits 
throughout the remainder of his days, his 
death occurring in September, 1861. His 
wife died two years later and their family 
consisted of nine children: Samuel, John, 
Isaac and Cynthia Ann, all deceased; James; 
Perry, who has also passed away : Nancy, 
the wife of Lewis Balla, residing on the old 
family homesteail on Big Vermilion ; 
Thomas ; and Sarah. 

James O'Neal was reared amid the wild 
scenes of frontier life and shared with the 
family in the hardships and trials incident 
to pioneer settlement. He assistetl in the 
work of the home farm until twenty-two 
years of age and during that period acquired 
his education in the subscription or common 
schools. He then began work in the old 
^Morgan and Sheets grist mill in Danville 
township on the Big Vermilion, now known 
as the Kyger mill, being there employed for 
six years. 

During that time Mr. O'Neal was mar- 
ried to Vesta Pratt, also a native of this 
county, born October 2, 1829, and died on 
the loth of November, 1902. Her parents 



378 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



were Jonathan antl Xancy (^ Stevens j Pratt, 
the former a native of Canada and the latter 
of Kentncky. In a very early day her father 
removed to tliis cotmty. Soon afterward he 
entered the mihtary ser\ice in tlie Bhick 
Hawk war and died of oliolera while thus 
engaged. His wife passed away in this 
county. They resided upon a farm which is 
known as the old Cole farm in Danville 
township. The home of Mr. and Mrs. O'Xeal 
was hlessed with ten children. Cynthia Am 
is the wife of Simon W. Doop, a butcher of 
Casey, Iowa; Nancy J. is the deceased wife 
of A. J. Scott. Oliver Perry, born October 
16. 1853, engaged in teaching school in \'er- 
niilion and Edgar counties for ten years and 
since that time has devoted his attention to 
farming, making his home with his father. 
Jonathan T. wediled Mary F. Smith and is 
a contractor of ^Vestville. Sarah Hannali 
died in infancy. Mary L. is the wife of H. 
J. Kirby, of Danville. Sylvia A. is the 
widow of Thomas Sandusky and lives with 
her father. Clarissa E. also resides with her 
father. Efifie L. is the wife of Alva Carri- 
gan. who is employed in the railroad shops 
of Danville. James H. is a carpenter 1)y 
trade working with his brother. 

After his marriage Mr. O'Neal resided 
upon the old homestead farm for four years 
and then removed to his present farm. He 
purchased forty acres of land, made excel- 
lent im])rovements thereon and continued the 
work of cultivation for a number of years. 
l)ut is now living retired and his sons manage 
the ])roi)erty. When the family first came 
to Vermilion county Moses Scott owned all 
of the land where the town of Westville now 
stands and a plum orchard occu])ied the 
site of the homes and business houses which 
now adorn that locality. Mr. O'Neal built 
his home before that town of Westville was 



laid out. He has ne\er held any political 
offices, save some minor ones, as he has al- 
ways preferred to gi\e his time and atten- 
tion to his business affairs. His first presi- 
dential vote was cast for Henry Clay and 
upon the organization of the Republican 
[jarty he joined its ranks and has since con- 
tinued to follow its lianners. Mr. O'Neal is 
identified through membership relations with 
the Christian Church, as was also his wife, 
and for some time he served as one of its el- 
ders. Plis life has been one of untiring indus- 
try crowned with success and there are few 
men Ijetter known in this county and none 
more deserve the confidence and good will of 
those with whom they have come in contact 
than does James O'Neal. He has now passed 
the eightieth milestone on life's journey, but 
he still manifests a deep interest in his na- 
tive county and its welfare and throughout 
his career he has ever taken an acti\e part 
in everything pertaining to the general good. 
No history of the county would be complete 
without mention of his life for his residence 
here anti-dates that of any other nati\e son 
and he is one of the revered patriarchs of the 

community. 

♦-•-• 

CHARLES E. CHESLEY. 

Charles E. Chesley was born in Dan- 
\ille April 16, 1854, and is a son of Roliert 
\'. Cheslev who is represented elsewhere in 
this volume. The son attended the public 
schools of his native city and continued his 
studies in the high school until he reached 
the age of seventeen years, when his father 
flied and he put aside his text-books in order 
to provide for his own support. He secured 
employment in the carriage factory owned 
by Daniel Eorce. working as a painter there 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



379 



for two years. He then entered the service 
of the Wabash Railroad Company as call 
.boy and after a time was promoted to fire- 
man. His fidelity to duty and his efficiency 
later won him promotion to engineer and 
subsequently he became roundhouse foreman 
at Tilton, where he remained for two years. 
He then again went upon the road but after 
a year he once more became foreman, acting 
in that capacity for two years. He was 
next assistant to C. F. Lape, general master 
mechanic. Once more he went upon the road 
as an engieer and then after twelve years' 
service with the Wabash Railroad Company 
he resigned his position in 1886 and estab- 
lished his present business, in connection 
with his brother, John L. Chesley. Under the 
business style of Chesley Brothers' Boiler 
Works, they are conducting" a plant in which 
is manufactured tanks, boilers, stacks, and 
other sheet iron products which are shipped 
extensively to all parts of the United States. 
Their business is continually increasing and 
has already reached proportions that make 
it a leading industrial concern of this city. 
Mr. Chesley likewise owns real estate in addi- 
tion to the plant and buildings of the firm. 
In May, 1878, was celebrated the mar- 
riage of Charles E. Chesley and Miss Ida 
M. Dicken. They are the parents of five 
children, namely: Beulah V., Edna M., An- 
nie, Alice and Robert E. Chesley. Mr. and 
Mrs. Chesley hold membership in the Epis- 
copal church and fraternally he is connected 
with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern 
Woodmen of America, the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks and the Court of 
Honor. In his political views he is an ear- 
nest and stalwart Republican, and for one 
term he served as a member of the city coun- 
cil, during which time he was chairman of 
the sewerage committee, and under his di- 



rection the large Jarets branch sewer was 
built. This is one of the best improvements 
the city has ever had. In matters of public 
concern Mr. Chesley has ever been found 
progressive and helpful, giving his co-opera- 
tion to many mo\'ements for the general 
good. As a business man he is known for 
his enterprise, industry, and perseverance — 
Cjualities which form important elcmen s in 
a successful career. 



EARL MILLER, ]\I. D. 

Dr. Earl ^liller, who is practicing in In- 
dianola, was born in ?iIarion county. Indi- 
ana, September 18, 1872. His father, Asher 
N. Miller, also a native of Marion county, 
was a son of Vincent M. and Elizabeth 
(Kise) Miller. After arriving at years of 
maturity Asher N. Miller carried on agri- 
cultural pursuits and stock-raising in the 
county of his nativity and became well-to- 
do because of his business ability and close 
application to his chosen work. He still 
resides upon his farm near Clermont, In- 
diana, at the age of fifty-eight years, and is 
regarded as one of the influential and prom- 
inent residents of his community. He is 
a man of strong character, who has lived 
a temperate, moral life, and his genuine 
worth has gained for him the warm regard 
of all with whom he has been brought in 
contact. He married Ettic L. Hornaday, 
also a native of Marion county, Indiana, 
and a daughter of Isaiah and Elizabeth 
(Wiley) Hornaday, who were natives of 
Rush county, that state. Their children 
were Harvey Hornaday, a journalist resid- 
ing in Oklahoma ; Henderson, who is a 
practicing physician of Indianapolis, Indi- 
ana ; Santford, a resident of Indianapolis, 



^8o 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Indiana, a contractor of public works; Lil- 
lie, wife of .\braham Pollard, of Indianapo- 
lis; Miles G., of Indianapolis, an expert ac- 
countant ; and Ettie L., the wife of Air. Mil- 
ler. By the marriage of Mr. and Airs. Alil- 
ler seven children were born, of whom the 
Doctor is the eldest. The others are ; Hat- 
tic, who died in childhood; Chester C, a 
dentist of Indianapolis; \'erlinda. a teacher 
of Clermont. Indiana; Harry G., a student 
in the Central College of Dentistry at In- 
dianapolis; Carl R.. who is following farm- 
ing near Clermont ; and Janette. who is a 
student of the schools of Clermont. 

Dr. Miller pursued his early education 
in the common schools and subseciuently 
became a student in Butler University, 
where he' remained for two years. \\'hen 
his literary course was completed he de- 
cided to enter upon th6 study of medicine, 
wishing to make its practice his life work, 
and on the completion of the i)rescrihcd 
course he was graduated in the Central Col- 
lege of Physicians and Surgeons at Indian- 
apolis. Indiana, with the class of 1897. Lo- 
cating in Indianola. Illinois, he has since 
l)ce;i in active practice here and although 
the period of his residence in \^ermilion 
county covers only five years, he has gained 
a reputation which many an older physician 
might well en\\'. 

The Doctor was married on the 14th of 
June. 1897, to Miss Margaret D. Varner, 
who was born in Edgar county, Illinois, 
on the 17th of June. 1877. Airs. Aliller is 
the third child of .Mian and Jemima (Dick- 
son) \'arner. .Mian \"avuer was born A]")ril 
18, 1829, and his wife, who was the young- 
-est daughter of David and Alargaret Dick- 
son, early pioneers of Vermilion county, 
was born January jo. 1844. Unto Allan 
Varner and his wife, who are now residing 



in Chrisman. Illinois, were born six chil- 
dren; J. D., born January 13. 1869, a 
business man of Indianapolis; Mary, born • 
January 4, 1874, wife of T. W. Clayton, 
of Chicago; Alargaret. born June 17. 1877, 
wife of the Doctor; Robert, born April 10, 
1879, who graduated from the Indiana 
Aledical College in 1903; William, born 
Alarch 15, 1881. a resident of Chrisman, 
Illinois; and David, of Chrisman, born July 
14, 1883. To the Doctor and his wife one 
child has been born, Jemima, born June 14, 
1902. The Doctor is a member of the Alasonic 
fraternity and is a Democrat in his political 
affiliations. Temperate in his habits and 
of a refined nature, he also possesses a sym- 
l)athetic disposition which proves an im- 
portant element in his successful ])rofes- 
sional career. He has the strictest regard 
for the ethics of his profession, an exalted 
\iew of his life work and while engaged in 
the alleviation of human suffering, he also 
commands the highest respect of those with 
whom he is associated. 



ADAAI II. .M0ZI1:R. 

Adani H. Alozier, who is now extensive- 
ly engaged in the dealing of hogs and was 
formerly known as a cattle dealer as well 
as general farmer, makes his home in Pilot 
township near Collison. He was born in 
Greene county. Ohio, in 1834. a son of Sol- 
omon and Christina (Cox) Alozier, both of 
whom ilied in Pilot townshi]) u])on the farm 
wiiere they settled on coming to \'ermilion 
county, "riie father passed away in 1871 
and the mother survived until 1887. when 
she. too, was called to her final rest, leaving 
fix'e children, all of whom \el survi\'e. 




A. H. MOZIER. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



3«5 



Adam H. and Jolm are twins and the latter 
is now a resident of Jefferson county, Illi- 
nois. ^^'ilIianl makes his home in Mont- 
gomery county, Kansas. Le\'i is engaged 
in the coal business in Danville. Harriet is 
the v,-ife of D. C. Deamude, who is one of 
tlie commissioners of the National Park, 
li^•ing near Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

Adam PI. Mozier was but two years of 
age when his parents removed to Warren 
count}-, Indiana, there remaining from 1836 
until 184Q, when they came to Vermilion 
county, our subject being then in his fif- 
teenth ^■ear. He ac(|uired hi education in 
the public schools and in Dan\ille Seminary, 
which he attended through two terms. .Aft- 
er his father's fleath he remained upon the 
home farm with his mother and cared for 
the property. After his mother's death in 
1887, he wedded Miss Martha Cooper, of 
Miami county, Indiana, their parents hav- 
ing been neighbors in the Hoosier state. 
The Cooper family was established in Ver- 
milion count}^, Illinois, in 1865. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Cooper are now deceased and the 
fap.iily is quite widely scattered. Six of the 
children still survive: Mrs. Eliza Juvinall, 
of Oregon ; Mrs. Millie Clarkson, of Kan- 
sas ; Mary, who is living in Pilot township ; 
Henry, in Muncie, Indiana; John D., who 
resides near Hig'ginsville, Illinois: and 
Amos. 

Throughout his entire life Mr. Mozier 
has carried on agricultural pursuits and he 
now owns two hundred and seventy acres 
of land, most of which is cultivable. 
Through a long period he planted his fields 
to the crops best adapted to the soil and 
climate but during the past ten years he has 
rented his farm land, retaining only his pas- 
ture lands for his stock. He feeds from six- 
ty to seventy head of hogs annually and 
formerly was extensively engaged in feed- 



ing cattle, in which branch of his business 
he has made most of his money. He raises 
his stock and sells to buyers, seldom mak- 
ing shipments himself to the city markets. 
In his political views Mr. Mozier is a 
stalwart Republican and cast his first presi- 
dential vote for John C. Fremont. For two 
years he served as ta.\ collector and has 
been school trustee for thirty years. In 
1873 he was elected to that position and has 
been chosen at each consecutive ■election 
since. For several terms he was road super- 
visor and has ever been a faithful officer, 
discharging his duties with dilig-ence and 
promptness. In 1884 he erected his pres- 
ent home on section 12, Pilot township, and 
in 1895 built his fine liarn there. For more 
than half a century he has been a resident 
of the count}', carrying on farming and 
stock-raising, and is widely known as a 
straightforward business man, whose word 
is as good as his bond. 



LUTHER A. CLINGAN. 

Luther A. Clingan belongs to that class 
of representati\'e American citizens, who 
while promoting their individual success also 
?.dvance the general prosperity. He is to-day 
numbered among the leading, influential and 
prosperous residents of Georgetown town- 
ship. His business interests have been ex- 
tensive and of important character, and he is 
now identified with agricultural and financial 
interests. He has also been called upon to 
ser\-e in positions of public trust and at the 
present writing, in 1902, is filling the position 
of county commissioner of highways. 

]\Ir. Clingan is a native son of this coun- 
ty, his birth having occurred in Danville 
township. Flis parents were James S. and El- 



38b 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



vira (Olealiy) Clingan. tlie fnrnier a native 
of Oliio and tiic latter of X'ermilion county. 
Illinois. William Clingan, the paternal 
grandfather of our subject, removed from the 
Buckeye state to this county in 1844, becom- 
ing one of the early settlers of Danvilli' 
township, where he carried on agricultural 
pursuits until his death. James Clingan also 
became a farmer of this county and from the 
time of the removal of his parents to the 
west made his home in Catlin township until 
1867. He then became a resident of West- 
ville, where he lived retired until his death 
in Augii.st, 1899. His widow still survives 
and is yet living in Westville. 

Luther A. Clingan was the youngest of 
their four children. In the district schools 
he pursued his education, mastering the 
branches nf learning taught in such institu- 
tions. Tic assisted in the work of the home 
farm until his marriage, when he began 
fanuing on liis own account. He wedded 
Miss Martha Graves, a daughter of L. H. 
Graves, who was also a pioneer of Vermilior. 
county and becaine one of the first residentr. 
of Georgetown township, where some of his 
family are yet living. Mrs. Clingan was 
called to her final rest January 29, 1897. Of 
the seven children born of that union three 
are yet living: Blanche, Hershal and Roy, 
Those deceased are: Herman, Frankie, 
Fred and Ray. In iHcjo, Mr. Clingan was 
again married, wedding Miss Leeta Graves, 
a sister of his first w-ife. 

In 1886 Air. Clingan settled u])on a small 
farm which was a ])art of the old Graves' 
estate and located near his presnt home. 
Soon afterward, however, he sold most of 
that land to the Westville Coal Company, 
which opened mines u])on that tract. He 
then purchased his present farm on section 
18, Georgetown township, also a part of the 



old (iras'es" estate. Here he m;ide manv e.K- 
cellent improvements in keeping with the 
progressive spirit of the twentieth century. 
His is the finest farm residence in George- 
town and is ])leasantlv located near the state 
road between Westville and Georgetown. 
Mr. Clingan. himself, has done little farming 
as he rents his land. He is speculating to 
a considerable extent in land and his invest- 
ments have been so judiciuosly made that 
they have returned to him splendid c;ipital. 
As coal was found upon his farm he sold 
his land at a good profit and he has also 
made other purchases and sales wherefrnm 
he has realized a good profit. He now owns 
three hundred acres in Edgar county, Illi- 
nfiis, and five hundred and sixtv acres in 
Porter county, Indiana, and three hundred 
acres in Vermilion county. Illinois, all of 
which is rented. ^Ir. Clingan is the founder 
of the town of Unionville, Illinois, and his 
sale of town lots there amounted to more 
than seven thousand dollars. For the past 
three years he has been a director of the 
First National Bank, of Georgetown, and 
throughout this comity he is regarded as 
a wide-awake enterprising business man, be- 
longing to that class of representative citi- 
zens who have been the founders and up- 
builders of Illinois and the great west. He 
is well known in the city of Danville and 
throughout this portion of the state and in 
business circles he sustains an unassail;d)le 
reputation. 

In 1899 Mr. Clingan was elected to the 
office of commissioner of highways in \vhic' 
capacity he is still serving. He has alwayr 
been a stanch Democrat in his political views 
and has taken an active interest in politics, 
keeping well informed on the questions and 
issues of the day, which enables him to sup- 
port his position by intelligent arguiuent. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



3S7 



For three years he served as a school di- 
rector in his district. He is a member of 
the Odd Fellows Lodge at Westville and his 
wife i:)elongs to the Christian church there. 
It is believed by some that fortunate circum- 
stances are an important element in the suc- 
cess of the men who advance beyond the 
common plane of life in the acquirement of 
wealth, but in analyzing the history of a suc- 
cessful man it will always be found that there 
are certain elements in his career, and that 
among these is the ability to recognize and 
improve opportunities, combined with skill- 
fully direct industry, — such is the case in 
the history of Mr. Clingan, who to-day is 
numbered among the most prosperous resi- 
dents of Vermilion county. His success has 
been worthily won through honorable effort, 
keen discernment and enterprise, and the re- 
spect and confidence of his many friends is 
justly merited. 



EDWARD C. KESPLER. 

Edward C. Kespler, now deceased, was 
a well known farmer of Vermilion county 
and became a resident of this portion of the 
state in the year 1851. A native of Ger- 
many, he was born October 8, 1837, and 
his parents, Conrad and Elizabeth Kespler, 
were also born in the same country, there 
remaining until 1 85 1 when they determined 
to seek a home in America and crossed the 
briny deep to the new world reaching the 
eastern shores of this country where they did 
not tarry long, but made their way to Ver- 
milion county, Illinois. The father pur- 
chased a farm near State Line. There he 
carried on agricultural pursuits until his 
death, meeting with signal success in his 
work. 



Edward C. Kespler was about fourteen 
years of age when he left the fatherland 
and came to the new world. He attended 
the common schools near State Line and as- 
sisted his father upon the home farm until 
after the country became involved in Civil 
war over the attempt of the southern states 
to secede. He enlisted on the 16th of No- 
vember, 1864, and was assigned to Com- 
pany C, of the Fourth Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry. This command was in a number 
of engagements of importance, including the 
battle of Franklin, where Mr. Kespler was 
taken prisoner. He was then sent to Ander- 
sonville prisiiju where he underwent all the 
hardships and rigors of southern prison life 
until the close of the war. He then received 
an honorable discharge on the 24th of Jwiie, 

1865. Returning to his father's farm he 
was there employed until his marriage. 

That important event in the life of Mr. 
Kespler occurred on the 23d of December, 

1866, the lady of his choice being Miss Anna 
P. Neigenfind, a native of Prussia, Germany, 
born on the 23d of September, 1847, ^"*i ^ 
daughter of Gotleib Christ and Johanna Eliz- 
abeth Neigenfind. They too were natives of 
Germany and in 1861 the father came to 
America, settling first in Canada where he 
worked as a laborer for a year. He then 
went to Ripon, Wisconsin, where he was 
employed in a brickyard for a year. During 
that time he had saved some money which he 
sent to Germany for his family in order to 
pay their passage to the new world. Here 
he was joined by his wife and children in 
1863. For a year thereafter they lived in 
Ripon and then removed to Vermilion coun- 
ty, Illinois, settling on Main street in Dan- 
ville. In this city the father was employed 
as a laborer and afterward he engaged in 
gardening on his own account until old age 



338 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



forceil liis retirenienl trum Ijusiness life. 
Both he and liis wife now reside with Mrs. 
Kespler and Mr. Xeigenfind is now eig^hty- 
four years of age while liis wife has reached 
tiie advanced age of sevnty -eight years. Tlie 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Kespler was lilessed 
with four ciiiidren : Mary E.. now the wife 
of Louis Steele, a farmer residing in Ogden, 
Illinois: Frank E., who married Lydia M. 
J'ratt. their home Ijcing in Georgetown, Illi- 
nois, where he is engaged in business as the 
leading druggist of that place: Anna Cath- 
erine, the wife of H. L. Smith, a butcher of 
I)an\-illc: and William F.. who married ]\lay 
Wilke and is emi)loycd as a clerk in a cloth- 
ing store in Danville. All of the children 
were provided with good educati(Mial privi- 
leges. 

After his marriage Mr. Kespler resided 
upon a farm near Perrysville for one year 
and llicn returned to State Line where be 
carrictl on farming fur anntber year, lie 
then again took up bis rd^ode at I'errysville, 
])urcbasing a farm which be continued to 
cultivate until his de itb. He made bis place 
\ery ]3roductive because of the care and labor 
which he bestowed upon it. The excelleiT, 
imi)rovements still seen there are the results 
of bis Ir.mdiwork and e\'crylbing about the 
place indicates his careful supervision antl 
progressive spirit. lie was a bard 
working man, industrious and hon- 
est and became well-to-do. He was 
never an office seeker nor did he desire polit- 
ical preferment yet he was known as a sub- 
stantial and indexible adherent of Republi- 
can principles. He passed away November 
27, 1878, and his loss was deeply regretted 
not only by bis immediate family but by 
many friends, for he had gained an en\iable 
place in public regard. 

Since the death of her husband Mrs. Kes- 



pler has removed to Danville and is li\ing 
w itb her father and mother at No. 23 Hays 
street, her parents having there resided sincv 
1865. She still owns thirty-six acres of val- 
uable farming land near Perrysville and has 
some business lots on East Main street in this 
city. At one time she also had other property 
in Danville, but has sold most of this. She 
is a member of the German United Brethren 
Church and is a lady of many estimable 
qualities. 



JOSEl'H FAIRILXLL, M. D. 

Dr. Joseph Fairball. a phvsician and 
surgeon of Danville, was born at Tadwell 
Hall, on the isle of Sheppy, in the county 
of Kent. England, on the Qtb of b'eJjruary, 
185,';, and is descended frum the nld baron- 
ial family of. that name. The ancestry can 
be traced back through many centuries and 
the name of Joseph was l>orne by the eldest 
so!i in each successive generation. From an 
early ])criod in the history of England the 
l'"airhails were connected with progress and 
ad\-ancement in the counties of Sussex and 
Kent. Tradition says that the ancestors of 
the Doctor were paid soldiers of William 
the Conqueror. Josei)h Fairball. the father 
of tb.e Doctor, was also born on tlie isle of 
Sb.ei)py and there wedded Esther Shaw, 
whose birth occurred in the same l<:)cality. 
They located at Tadwell Hall, the father be- 
ing a country gentleman. In 1868 they re- 
mo\ed to Sittingbourne, which was a town 
in that locality, and there his death occurred 
in 1 885. when be was seventy-two years of 
age. The mother sur\-ived until March 15, 
iqcy>. and both were laid to rest in the fam- 
ily \;uilt at Oueensboro. in Kent county. 
England. 

Dr. Fairball acciuired bis earlv cduc:i- 




DR. JOSEPH FAIRHALL. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



391 



tion in what was known as the National 
School of Minster on the isle of Sheppy and 
afterward entered the grammar school at 
Sheerness. Later he became a student in 
the Uni\ersity at London, England, in 
which institution lie was graduated with 
the class of 18S1. He next entereil the 
Charing Cross Medical University in Lon- 
don, where he remained for three years. In 
1877 lie joined the Irish Rifles, in which reg- 
iment he served with credit as a volunteer 
for eight years, being mustered out in 1885. 
He continued to remain in London, how- 
ever, until 1887, and in that year he came to 
.America. Making his way westward, he 
became connected with the South Chicago 
Dock Company and also with the Grape 
Creek Coal Company, iKjlding the ofiice of 
vice president of botli. During the first 
three years after his arrival in America he. 
made his home in Chicago, having become 
interested in the coal company while en- 
route, an.d he acted as its vice president un- 
til the company went into the hands of a re- 
ceiver in !8g2. In 1890 he took up his res- 
idence on the property of the company at 
Grape Creek and was instrumental in in- 
augurating the village. While there he 
studied practical mining engineering and at 
the same time took the active management 
of the company's affairs. Both he and his. 
wife gave their attention to the improve- 
ment of the social condition of the working 
classes in the community by inaugurating 
church and Sunday-school work, concerts 
and other means of entertainment of a ben- 
eficial character, and in 1892 he was the 
means of establishing the Grape Creek 
Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and became its first presiding of- 
ficer. He was always very enthusiastic for 
the welfare of the order and passed through 
its various degrees until he had arisen to 



high office in the Uniformed Rank of Patri- 
archs Militant. In connection with this di- 
vision of the fraternity he founded the de- 
gree of Ladies Militant in 1901. In all of 
this work he was ably assisted by his wife 
who fi:)unded the White Oaks Rebekah de- 
gree lodge at Grape Creek and later was the 
first president of the Ladies Militant. 

In the meantime the coal company be- 
came involved in litigation and after pass- 
ing into the hands of a receiver Mr. Fairhall 
assumed control of the Grape Creek Clay 
Works and by close study of the various 
clays found in the vicinity coi^ipled with his 
knowledge of chemistry, he was enabled to 
master the art of brick manufacture. He 
became a member of the National Brick 
Manufacturers' Association, at whose con- 
ventions he was always present, taking an 
active part in the work of the organization. ' 
Owing to the long litigation in which the 
coal company was involved and which pre- 
cluded him from obtaining a lease of the 
clay works for longer than one year at a 
time, he found at the end of four years that 
he could no longer continue the work with 
profit and conseciuentlt? determined to retire 
from business. 

On th.e 27th of March, 1896, he went 
before the state board of health and ap- 
plierl for a license to practice the profession 
of medicine, and after satisfactorily pass- 
ing the required examination the license was 
granted. In the spring of 1898 he took up 
his residence in the city of Danville, build- 
ing a house and office near the Gilbert street 
bridge, commanding an extensive and pic- 
turesque view of the Vermillion river. In 
the same year — 1898 — he was elected a 
member of the staff of physicians of the 
Vermilion county hospital, and professor of 
anatomy and physiology in the Danville 
training school for nurses. Progressive in 



392 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



his profession, lie keeps abreast with the best 
thinking men who are connected with this 
hne of Inisiness activity through his mem- 
bership in tlie \''ermiHon County Medical 
Association, the Tri-County Medical Asso- 
ciation, the Danville Physicians Protective 
Association and the National ■Medical Asso- 
ciation. 

On the 17th of November, 1877, Dr. 
l'"airiiall was united in marriage to Miss 
Eli.^abeth Sandys, the third daughter of 
William King, Esquire, of Elwick Villa, at 
Ashford, Kent county, England. \\'hen he 
emigrated to .\merica he was accompanied 
by his wife and two eldest sons, arriving in 
this country on the 29th day of March, 
1887. In 1893 '^ third son was born unto 
them while they were living in Chicago and 
in 1894 they became the parents of a daugh- 
ter, Lucy Winnifred, Ijorn at Grape Creek. 
Both the Doctor and his wife have gained a 
large circle of friends in Danville and the 
hospitality of many of the best homes of the 
city is extended to them. Thoroughly 
equipped by his collegiate work for the pro- 
fession which now engages his attention, 
and continually promoting his efficiency by 
reading and study, he is to-day one of the 
best informed members of the medical fra- 
ternity in this city, having gained a high 
standing in a calling where influence and 
wealth availeth little or naught but where 
merit is the foundation of ad\'ancement. 



WILLIAM M. SMITH. 

William M. Smith is now practically liv- 
ing a retired life at his home in Danville 
and well does he deserve rest from labor, 
but to a man of his nature it is almost im- 



possible to utterly put aside business cares. 
Indolence and idleness have ever been ut- 
terly foreign to him and therefore he yet 
gives his supervision to the management of 
his invested interests, and his sound busines 
judgment and enterprise are manifested in 
the capable control of his property. He re- 
sides at No. 142 South Logan avenue, in a 
nice home which is a monument to his inde- 
fatigable labor and capability. 

Mr. Smith was born near the village of 
Potomac, Vermilion county, on the i6th of 
October, 1840, and is a son of Henry and 
Jane (Stewart) Smith. The father was a 
native of Oxfordshire. luigland. born No- 
vember 20, 1806, and the mother's birth oc- 
curred in Birmingham, England. The pa- 
ternal grandparents of our. subject were 
Thomas and Mary (Fletcher) Smith, also 
natives of England where the grandfather 
followed farming and likewise engaged in 
conducting a dairy and cheese factory. He 
followed those lines of business until his later 
years when he came to America and after a 
year's residence in this country he was called 
to the home beyond. Henry Smith crossed 
the broad Atlantic to the new world in 1838 
and settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where he es- 
tablished a meat market. He also engaged 
in buying and shipping stock there for three 
years, after which he removed to \'ermilion 
county, Illinois, settling near the village of 
Potomac, where he carried on agricultural 
pursuits until 1847. In that year he came to 
Danville where he opened a meat market and' 
was the third oldest merchant in that line in 
the city. He did his own butchering and 
engaged in selling fresh as well as salt meats, 
tmtil 1867 when he disposed of his store and 
purchased a farm near the village of Tilton 
in this county. There he carried on the 
work of cultivating his fields until 1880 when 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



393 



he returned to Danville and was again en- 
gaged in the meat business through the two 
succeeding years. Afterward he lived re- 
tired in this city until his death which oc- 
curred in 1S97. His wife passed away here 
on the 14th of No\-ember. They were 
highly respected people esteemed because 
they were true to upright principles and were 
honorable in all their relations with their 
fellow men. Unto this worthy couple were 
born eleven children, but only four are now 
Hving, namely: William M. ; Mary, the wife 
of Roljert Stevens, of Danville; Fannie J. 
and Lucy, who reside at No. 116 South Jack- 
son street in the old home which their father 
built here. Those who ha\e passed awa}- 
are John. Edwin, Sarah, Frank, Henry, 
Charlie and Joseph. 

William M. Smith acquired a common 
school education in Potomac and in Dan- 
ville and in early life he assisted his father 
in the meat market, being thus engaged until 
after the inauguration of the Civil war. He 
watched with interest the progress of events 
in the south, saw that the war was to be no 
mere holiday affair and that it would require 
the united strength of the great majority of 
the loyal sons of the nation in order to pre- 
serve the Union. Accordingly, on the 12th 
of August, 1862, he offered his services to 
the government enlisting as a member of 
Company' A, One Hundred and Twenty- 
fifth Illinois Infantry, under command of 
Colonel Harmon. His company was com- 
manded by Captain Ralston and afterward 
by Captain Brown. With his regiment Mr. 
Smith participated in many important en- 
gagements, including the battles of Kene- 
saw, Chattanooga, Atlanta and Perryville. 
Although often in the thickest of the fight, 
exposed to the hot fire from the enemy's 
guns, Mr. Smith was never injured in any 



way. He was discharged at Washington, 
D. C, on the ist of June, 1865, returning 
to his home with the consciousness of having 
faithfully performed his duty, his military 
record being a most creditable one. 

After the war was over Mr. Smith again 
assisted his father in the meat market in 
Danville and after his father's removal to 
the farm he took charge of the market, con- 
ducting it successfully until 1880. He then 
sold a part interest in the establishment, and 
he also owns a slaughter house which is near 
his home. Mr. Smith is also engaged to 
some extent in the nursery business, having 
his place set out in nursery stock and shade 
trees which he sells to the local trade. In 
addition to all this he is the owner of several 
houses and lots on South Logan avenue and 
he owns some residence property in Vermil- 
ion Heig-hts and in Danville. 

On the 25th of December, 1867, occurred 
the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Mary 
A. Morgan, a native of Indiana and a daugh- 
ter of John Morgan who was engaged in the 
livery business in the Hoosier state and came 
to Danville at an early day. Here he en- 
gaged in teaming until his death which oc- 
curred in 1864. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith 
have been born six children : Bertie, at home; 
Kittie, the wife of Charles Milemore, of 
Danville; Belle, the wife of Ed Laflin, re- 
siding near her parents; Roena and Wilma, 
both at home; and Harry, who died in in- 
fancy. The family home is an attractive 
residence at No. 142 South Logan avenue, 
near the Vermilion river. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Smith hold membership in the Kimber 
Methodist Episcopal church of Danville and 
he belongs to the Grand Army Post in this 
city. In politics he is a Republican. Those 
who read between the lines can gain consid- 
erable knowledge of the life work of Mr. 



yj4 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Smitli. A self-made man. lie started out 
upon iiis business career determined to make 
the most of his opportunities and advantages 
and he is to-day one of the oldest representa- 
tives of the meat trade in this city. More- 
oxer, he sustains an unassailable re])utation 
because of reasonable prices, of honorable 
dealing and an earnest desire to please his 
patrons through his trade relations as well 
as in social life and he has won many warm 
friends who esteem him highly. 



\OAII E. HUBBARD. 

One of the extensive landowners of \'er- 
mili(jn county is Noah E. Hubbard, whose 
property possessions aggregate six hundred 
acres of valuable farm land. He has 
resided in this county since 1840 and is now- 
living retired from active business, enjoy- 
ing a rest which he has truly earned and 
richly deserves. One-half the width of the 
continent separates him from his ])irth place 
— She.'^ield, Massachusetts, where he first 
opened his eyes to the light of day on the 
joth of .\o\ember, 1814. He is a son of 
Xoali E. and Cynthia (Clark) Hubbard, 
both of whom were natives of the same lo- 
cality. His father there conducted a dis- 
tillery and sawmill and also engaged in 
farming in Massachusetts until 1S19, when 
he removed westward with his family, set- 
tling in Michigan, which was his home for 
two years. He then purcliased an ox team 
and started for Indiana, while his family 
made their way to that state in an old log 
canoe on tlie river. All were on the trip for 
;ibi.u.t '^ix weeks and a settlement was then 
maile in Vermilion county. Indiana, where 
Noah E. Hubbard, Sr., purchased a farm 



and also bouglit a hempmill. He engaged 
in the operation of the latter in connection 
with the cultivation of his fields until 1835, 
when he joined the Mormons. Leaving his 
family in Indiana, he went to Missouri, 
where he li\ed for three years. On the ex- 
piration of that ijeriod he returned to Illi- 
nois, settling in Xau\oo, where he lived with 
the Mormons until they left that jjart of the 
country. Mr. Hubbard at that time took 
up his abode in Vermilion county, Indiana, 
on tiie (^Id home farm, where he had previ- 
ously lived, continuing there for two years, 
when, with his wife, he started for Salt 
Lake City, Utah, to join the Mormons there. 
They only proceeded to Council P>luffs, 
Iowa, when the father was taken ill and 
died. The mother then returned and lived 
with her children until her own death. They 
were the parents of ten children : Parmelia, 
who n(5w resides in Topeka, Kansas: Lucy 
Ruth, dececeased ; Charles, a fanner living 
in L'tah; Cynthia, wh>) has passed away; 
Xoah E. ; Trudence, deceased: Lucy, who 
died in infancy: Clark, who is the owner of 
a large cattle ranch in California and makes 
his home in that state: William, a farmer of 
Benton county, Indiana; and David, who 
died in infruic}'. 

.\t the age of seventeen years Noah K. 
Hubbard went to Terre Haute, Indiana, 
where he worked in a tanyard for four years, 
receiving his board and clothing in com- 
])ensation for his services. He then re- 
turned to Vermilion county. Indiana, living 
upon the old home farm there until 1S40, 
when he crossed the line to X'ermilion coun- 
ty, Illinois, settling in Georgetown town- 
shii) at what is now known as Hubbards 
E(jrd on Big Vermilion creek. There he 
accepted a position as superintendent (if a 
sawmill for fifty cents per day and followed 
that pursuit for six years. He next settled 




MRS. N. E. HUBBARD. 




NOAH E. HUBBARD. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



399 



on what is known as the Sprouls farm on 
section 36, Georgetown township, purchas- 
ing the land and hving there until 1867. In 
that year he removed to his present farm 
and in connection with its cultivation also 
engaged in operating a sawmill until 1892, 
when hecause of failing health he retired to 
private life. His has been a useful, active 
and successful career, in which he has won 
prosperity and also gained an untarnished 
name. 

In 1845 Mr. Hubbard was united in 
marriage to Miss Catherine Ogden, a 
daughter of James Ogden, an early settler 
of this county. Her death occurred in 1880 
and many friends mourned her loss. Six 
children had been born of this marriage : 
Cardin, who married A. Hayworth and lives 
in the village of Georgetown; Cynthia, the 
wife of Ira Courtney, a farmer of George- 
town township ; Lucy, who died in infancy ; 
Azrell A., who married Marietta Hayworth 
and is engaged in farming near Ogden ; Ja- 
cob, who wedded Sarah Commons and fol- 
lows agricultural pursuits in Georgetown 
township ; and Cornelia Alice, the wife of 
Joseph Gantz, by whom she has one child, 
Lilly. They reside upon her father's farm, 
Mr. Gantz carrying' on the work of the 
fields. 

When Mr. Hubbard first purchased land 
in Georgetown township the tract was all 
co-^-ered with timber, but soon the wood- 
man's ax gave evidence that the trees were 
falling beneath his strudy strokes. He 
cleared off the land, plowed and planted it 
and also made other improvements. As the 
years have passed great transformation was 
wrought in the appearance of his property, 
which became a very valuable and highly 
productive farm. His boundaries, too, were 
extended as Mr. Hubbard made additional 

17 



purchases until he now owns over six hun- 
dred acres of land in different parts of 
Georgetown township and he has likewise 
given some land to his children. He has a 
beautiful home on his farm which is now oc- 
cupied by his daughter and her family, it 
being one of the most attracti\-e residences 
in this part of the county. In early life Mr. 
Hubbard gave his political support to the 
^Vhig party. In the ante-bellum days he 
attended the debates held by Douglas and 
Lincoln, shaking hands with each statesman. 
Since the election of Lincoln he has always 
voted the Republican ticket, strongly en- 
dorsing the principles of the party. He has 
almost reached the eighty-ninth milestone 
on life's journey and no man is better known 
in this part of V'ermilion county or is more 
highly esteemed. Splendid success has at- 
tended his efforts in business. He has 
worked earnestly and indefatigably and his 
labors have brought to him a rich reward 
so that he is now one of the wealthy agri- 
culturists of this portion of the state. In re- 
cent years he has enjoyed an honorable re- 
tirement from labor and the competence 
which he formerly acquired supplies him 
with conveniences and many of the luxuries 
of life. Vast changes have occurred in Ver- 
milion comity during the time in which he 
lias resided within its borders, its forests hav- 
ing been cleared away, its prairies cultivated 
and the entire district transformed into a 
rich agricultural tract. Towns and villages 
too have shared in the general progress and 
ad\-ancement has been made along material, 
social, intellectual and moral lines. In the 
evening of life Mr. Hubbard can look back 
over the past with just pride for what he has 
accomplished and he has always lived so that 
he has enjoyed the esteeem and high regard 
of his fellow men. 



400 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



MRS. RHODA M. HESTER. 

Ml'.-;. Rhuda Al. Hester is one ut the 
nati\e residents of \'ennilion county wliu 
through more tlian three score years and ten 
has been a witness of the growth and u]i 
l)uil(Hng of this portion of tlie state. She 
is now residing in Ridgetarm and enjoys tlie 
high esteetn of all who know her. She was 
born December 7, 1827. near X'crmilion 
Grove, a daughter of Ira and Esther, (Hor- 
ney) Mills, and her father was a native of 
Jefferson countv. Tennessee, burn December 
4, 1806, and came of a family of rich farm- 
ing people. He was one of eleven children, 
all of whom are now deceased. When he was 
sixteen years ui age he accompanied his par- 
ents on their removal from Tennessee to Illi- 
nois, a settlement being made on what be- 
came known as the Great Mills Farm, two 
miles west of Vermiliem (Jrove. From that 
time to the present representatives of the 
familv have lived upon the land which be- 
came the property of the grandparents. After 
arriving at years of maturity Ira Mills was 
united in marriage to Miss Esther Homey, 
who was born in Xenia, Ohio, December 12, 
1805. Her parents were also farming peo- 
ple, and she was one of five children. 
About 1825 the family was established 
in ^'ermilion county and here on the 
1 2th of December, 1826, she gave her hand 
in marriage to Ira Mills. They lived happily 
together until the 23d of November, 1836. 
when ?\Irs. Mills was called to her final rest, 
leaving a family of six children. The father 
afterward married ]Mary Dillon, who also 
belonged to an old family of Tennessee and 
came to Illinois during her early girlhood. 
By her marriage she became the mother of 
thirteen children. In the year 1868 Mr 
Mil1s removed with his family to Carthage, 



Missouri, and there he spent his remaining 
ilays. His second wife died there in 187-'. 
while his death occurred on the 8th of Ajjril. 
1880. The brotiiers and sisters of Mrs. Hes- 
ter are: Mrs. Louisa Lewis, who was the 
mother of nine children and is now deceased ; 
John R., who has also passed away; Paris, 
who is a merchant of Syracuse, Kansas, and 
has (jue child; William, who dieil lea\ing 
four children; and Mrs. Lydia Smith, whose 
husband is a millwright, of Los Angeles, 
California. 

Mrs. .He.ster was reared under the pa- 
ternal roof and trained to the duties of the' 
household, continuing her education in th> 
district schools until she put aside her text 
books. On the loth of November, 1853, she 
gave her hand in marriage to John Hester, 
who ^vas l)orn near Richmond, Indiana, 
March 1 1, 1827, and was one of a family of 
se\'en children. By his parents he was 
brought to \''ermilion county in 1829 and 
was here reared as a farmer boy, early becom- 
ing familiar with the duties and lalxirs that 
fall to the l(.)t of the agriculturist. His entire 
life was spent in Elwood township and his 
attention was always given to farm work, 
which he conducted with profit. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hester was 
blessed with the following children : Al- 
fred, who is li\ing at Ridgefarm; Ida M., 
who died at the age of eleven years; Mrs. 
Mary E. Rook, of Elwood townshi]), wl. 
had six children, four of whom are yet liv- 
ing; Cyrus, of Ridgefarm. who has two 
children ; Ada, who died in childhood ; and 
Paris J., a farmer of Ridgefarm. who has 
five children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hester 
were reared in the faith of the Society of 
I'riends. He was an earnest Christian man 
whose upright life commended him to the 
confidence and good will of all with whom 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



401 



lie was assuciated. He passed awa}' Jul\ 
17, 1899, leaving to his family the priceless 
heritage of an untarnished name and to the 
young an example well worth)' of emulation. 
Mrs. Hester was always an able assistant of 
her husband. When she was but seventeen 
years of age she began teaching, following 
that profession for se\-en years in order to 
assist in the support of her father's large 
family. She had been a student in the 
Georgetown High School and is a lady ot 
culture and intelligence. She also spun and 
wove in an early day in order to assist her 
family, and after her marriage she faithfully 
performed the duties of her household, wliile 
her husband was working in the fields, ^dr. 
and Mrs. Hester continued to reside upon the 
home farm until 1S91, when thev came to 
Ridgefarm where she is now li\-ing, lun'ing 
here a comfortable home. Her memory 
forms a connecting link between the pioneer 
past and the progressive present of Vermil- 
ion c(.ninty, and she can relate many interest- 
ing incidents of the days when this section of 
the state was upon the frontier, and can tell 
many pleasing tales of the mode of life in 
that early period. Kindly and generous, the 
sterling traits of her character and her good 
c|ualities of heart and mind have made her 
a loved friend, and one widely and favorabh 
known in her native county. 



BENJAMIN EVERHART. 

On the roll of the dead, anning the men 
who were prominent, honorable and success- 
ful in business, appears the name of Benja- 
min Everhart, and wdiile he has passed away 
he is yet remembered by many who knew him 
in Danville and throughout A^'ermilion coun- 



ty. He came to this city when the Waljash 
Railroad entered it, from Decatur, Illinois, 
driving a yoke of oxen. His entrance here 
was symbolical (jf his business connection 
with the city for throughout the greater part 
of his residence here he was engaged in team- 
ing and his patronage grew as the 3'ears 
passed by until his luisiness had assumed ex- 
tensive and profitable proportions. 

Mr. Everhart was a native of Switzer- 
land, born on the 17th of September, 1833, 
and both his parents died in Switzerland dur- 
ing his early boyhood. He remained a resi- 
dent of his native land until he was seven- 
teen years of age wdien he sailed from that 
country for America, believing that he might 
ha\'e better opportunities to secure business 
ad\-ancement in this country where the ener- 
gy of young men is not ham[)ered by caste or 
class. Landing in New York he worked as a 
laborer in the Empire state for a few years, 
after which he came to the west, settling in 
Decatur, Illinois. There he purchased an ox- 
team and was engaged in the draying busi- 
ness until his removal to Vermilion county. 
After coming to Danville Mr. Everhart was • 
here married in i860 to Miss Dorothy Kline, 
who was a native of Germany, born Febru- 
ary 27, 1842, her parents being Jacob and 
Dorothy (Miller) Kline, both of wdiom were 
natives of the fatherland. Coming to Amer- 
ica they established a home in Michigan 
where Mr. Kline eng'aged in farming until 
he was called to his final rest. The home 
of Mr. and Mrs. Everhart was blessed with 
eleven children : John, who is now engaged 
in the baking business in Indian Territory; 
Charles, who married Maude Chaftield, and 
is engineer for the Chicago & Eastern Illi- 
nois Railroad, his home being in Danville; 
Katherine and Bennie, both deceased; ^Nlary, 
the wife of Charles Anderson, of Danville. 



402 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



wlio left two children, Bennie ami Bessie 
(twins), who have been adopted by Mrs. 
Everhart and now live with her; Annie, the 
wife of John Louck, of Fairmount, Vermil 
ion county; Rebecca, the wife of Grant Kl 
berson, a machinist of Danville; Kninia and 
Bennie, who have also passed away ; Eliza- 
beth, who resides at home and is employed 
as a clerk in a stor&in this city ; and \' irginia. 
also with her mother. The children were all 
given go(xl educational privileges and thus 
prepared for life's practical and responsible 
duties. 

After coming to this city Mr. Everhart 
engaged in teaming with his ox-team and 
assisted in hauling the rock used in the con- 
struction of the first bridges over the Ver- 
milion river at Danville. He also aided in the 
construction of those bridges. For several 
years he carried on general teaming and 
then took charge of the Danville dray line. 
During the last seventeen years of his life 
he was engaged in the draying business and 
his services were in constant demand. There 
was nuich difference between his good teams 
of horses and his outfit of oxen and old 
fashioned wagon which he had at the timt 
oi his arri\-al. His patronage, too, had in- 
creased with the passing years and as the 
result of liis labors he had acquired a com- 
fortable competence. He was always an in- 
dustrious, hard working, energetic man, and 
these qualities brought to him the confidence 
and good w'ill of those witli whom he came 
in contact. Fie passed away July 28, 1895 
but his memory is still cherished by many 
who knew him and respected him because his 
life was in consistent harmony w ilh the prin- 
ciples of upright manhood. In politics he 
was independent. sup])orting the candidates 
whom he believed best (pialified for ofificc. 
He belonged to the Independent Order of 



Odd Fellows, of Danville, and was highly 
esteemed in the fraternity. Mrs. Everhart is 
a member of tlie German ^lethodist Episco- 
l)al Church of this city and siie now resides 
at her home at Xo. 31 South Walnut street 
with her daughters. She has long lived here 
and has a wide acquaintance. She has seeti 
Danville grow from the conditions of a vil- 
lage until it has become one of the leading 
metropolitan centres of this great state. IJke 
her husband she well deserves mention u\ 
this volume devoted to the worthy and re])re- 
sentative citizens of Vermilion county. 



H.XRRISON FAIRCHILD. 

The history of a state as well as that of 
a nation is chiefly the chronicle of the lives 
and deeds of those who have conferretl hon- 
or and dignity upon society. The world 
judges the character of a community by that 
of its representative citizens and yields its 
tributes of admiration and respect for the 
genius, learning or virtues of those whose 
works and actions constitute the record of a 
state's prosperity and ])ride: and it is their 
character, as exemplified in probity and be- 
nevolence, kindly virtues and integrity in the 
affairs of life, that is ever afYording worthy 
examples for emul;ili(jn and \-aluable les- 
sons of incentive. 

To a student of biogra])hy there is noth- 
ing more interesting than to exaiuine the 
life historx' of a self-made man and to de- 
tect the elements of character which have 
enabled him to pass on the highwa_\- of life 
many of the c<imi)anions of his youth who 
at the out.set of their careers were more ad- 
vantageously e([uipped or endowed. The 
subject of this review has through his own 




HARRISON FAIRCHILD. 




MRS. HARRISON FAIRCHILD. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



407 



exertions attained an lionorable position and 
marked prestige among the representative 
men of the west, and with signal consistency 
it may be said that he is the architect of his 
own fortunes and one whose success amply 
justifies the application of the somewhat 
hackneyed but most expressive title, "a self- 
made man." 

Mr. Fairchild, who is now living a re- 
tired life, in a beautiful residence at No. 
1444 North Vermilion street, in Danville, 
comes of a very old and prominent family 
of Vermilion county. He is a native of this 
county, his birth having occurred on Crist- 
mas Day of 1840. His parents were Daniel 
and Lucy (Hemmingway) Fairchild. The 
father w'as a native of New York, born in 
1810, and he and four brothers left the Em- 
pire state in 1828, coming direct to Vermil- 
ion county, Illinois, for the opportunities of 
the broad west attracted them. Daniel Fair- 
child settled in Blount township, among its 
first residents. He began making improve- 
ment upon a tract of wild prairie and tim- 
ber land and built the first brick house in 
that part of the county, after which he de- 
A'oted his energies to farming for many 
years. He was also a minister of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church and in connection 
-with his agricultural pursuits he devoted 
considerable time to the work of spreading 
the Gospel, and influencing his fellow men 
to walk in the straight and narrow path. In 
his later years he preached more funeral ser- 
mons and married more couples than any 
other minister of his day in the county. His 
influence, too, was of no restricted order and 
his memcjry yet remains as a blessed bene- 
diction to those who knew him. He was 
widely recognized as a prominent and influ- 
ential resident of Vermilion county and his 
death, which occurred on the old home farm 
in Blount township. May 27, 1870, was the 



snurce of deep regret to his many friends. 
Flis wife, who proved to him a faithful com- 
panion and helpmate on life's journey and 
w ho assisted him largely in his work of re- 
deeming- men, also passed away on the old 
home farm January 10, 1891. In the. fam- 
ily of this worthy couple were fourteen chil- 
dren, of whom seven are yet living. Ordil- 
la. born March 26, 1832, is the widow of 
David Lindsey and resides in Cherryvale, 
Kansas. Eliza Ann, born November 27, 
1833, is the wife of George Smith, a resi- 
dent of Blount township, this county. Har- 
rison is the next younger. Nathaniel Rob- 
l)ins. born August 15, 1843, is a resident 
farmer of Blount township. F. Milton, born 
April 20, 1S48, resides near and owns the 
old homestead in Blount township. Eliz- 
abeth, born January 9, 1851, is the wife of 
Joseph Ingram, an agriculturist of Blount 
township. Sophia Ella, born April 20, 
1857, is the wife of John \V. Duncan, of 
.\lvin, Illinois. Of those who have passed 
away one died in infancy. The others were: 
Henry, who died before the Civil war; Wes- 
ley and Daniel C, who were killed while 
ser\-ing in the Union army during the war ; 
Eli, who died in 1893; Elkanah, who served 
his country in the One Hundred and Thirty- 
fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry in 1864 and 
died May 16, 1900. 

Like the other members of the family 
Harrison I'^airchild began his education in 
the old suliscription schools of the county, 
later attended the common public schools 
and subsequently came to Danville, where 
for six months he was a student in the Red 
Alethodist Episcopal Seminary, wliere he 
completed his education. He was a student 
in that institution at the outbreak of the 
Civil \\ar and in June, 1861. he offered his 
services to the government, enlisting in 
Company B, Twenty-fifth IlHnois Infantry, 



4oS 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



undtT Captain Walls and dilonel Coller. 
He ])articipate(l in the tnllnwinff engage- 
ments: Pea Kidge. Corinth, Perrysville, 
Cniapliii Hills, Xoonday Creek, Pinetop 
Motmtain, Chattahoochee, Stone River, 
Manchester and C'hickamauga. At the last 
named Mr. I-'airchild was slightly wounded 
by a brdl in the leg. He was afterward in 
the charge of Missionary Ridge, where lie 
was wounded in the arm by a piece of shell. 
Subsequently the company marched with 
Sherman to .\tlanta and he was also in the 
battle of Peach 'i'ree Creek, C.eorgia, and in 
many skirmishes. During the Atlanta cam- 
paign he was relieved from further duty, his 
term of service ha\ing expired, and return- 
ing to Illinois, be recei\-ed his discharge at 
Sjjringtield. lilinois, Septemlier 5, 1864. 

Returning \n lllount township, this 
county, Mr. Fairchild engagerl in farming 
near the old homestead. He was married 
on the 8th of March, 1865, to Sarah E. 
Lanham, also a native of this county and a 
daughter of Robert .\. Lanham. one of the 
early settlers of Blount township, where he 
followed farming for many years, passing 
away there in 1865. The marriage of Mr. 
and Mrs. ]'"airchild was blessed with thir- 
teen children : Rev. Wilbur Daniel, a min- 
ister of the Methodist Episcoi)al church ;md 
now a resident of Murdock, Illinois; Lilly 
Jane, the wife of John Crawford, a resident 
of Danville; Eftle, the wife of Edward Ben- 
nett, who is living in Urbana, Illinois; Os- 
car H., a chemist of Denver, Colorado; 
John L., who now resides on the old home 
farm in Blount townshi]); Myrtle, the wife 
of the Ivev. J. M. Judy, a Metho- 
dist TCpisco])al minister at r)ela\an, 
W'isconsiu ; Roscoe S.. who was born 
May iJ, 1878, and is now a stu- 
dent in the Chicago University, ha\-ing 
j)re\iousl\- served as corporal in Battery A 



in the Spanish-American war, being f(ir two 
months in Porto Rico; Ethel, the wife of 
Jesse Kenney, of lligginsville, Illincjis; Bes- 
sie, Ruby, Harrison and Albert, all at home; 
and Sarena, who died in infancy. 

.\fter his marriage .Mr. l-";iirchild pur- 
chased a farm near the old homestead in 
Blount township, ble made all of the im- 
provements upon that priiperty, including 
the erection of substantial buildings. He 
uses the latest improved machinery in carry- 
ing on the work of the farm and has made 
his [)Iace a \erv attractive ;mil valuable one. 
There he continued his business until 1895 
when, wishing to give his children better 
educational facilities, he removed to the city 
of Danville, purchased here a lot and erected 
his present home at No. 1444 North Vermil- 
ion street. It is one of the pretty residences 
in that part of the city. He still owns his 
farm in l^ldunt tnwnship. which is rented 
to his son John L. 

Mr. I'"airchild is now ser\'ing as one of 
the school directors in his district. No. 112, 
in this county, and has held minor oflices in 
Blount township, discharging his duties 
with promptness and fidelity. He belongs 
to the Moilern WDddmen of Dan\ille, and 
in his political affiliations he has always been 
a stalwart Rei)ublican. Both he and his 
wife are devoted members of the I-'irst 
Methodist Episcopal church i>i Danville and 
he is now serving as one of its stewards. 
He was elected by the ([uarterly conference. 
Bismarck circuit, Dan\illc district, as a lay 
delegate to the Illinois (|uadrennial confer- 
ence of the Methodist Epi.scopal church held 
in Jacksonville, September, 1879; Danville 
in 1883: Decatur in 1887; and Jackson\ille 
in 1 891. His wife belongs to several nf the 
church societies and both are active in sup- 
port of the church, contributing in m;uiy 
wavs to its growth and upbuilding. In all 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



409 



the relations of life Mr. Fairchild has 
proved himself to be an earnest, honest, up- 
right man and a citizen of whom the com- 
munity luay justly be proud. 



ELIJAH J. BOORDE. 

In pioneer times, about a half century 
agx), the Boorde family was established in 
Vermilion county and the old homestead 
farm was the birthplace of the subject of this 
review, his natal day being May 17, 1859. 
He is a son of George and Sarah A. (Bow- 
ling) Boorde and the ancestry can be traced 
back through sevral generations to England 
the first of the name coming from Yar- 
mouth, that country, to America, bringing 
with him his wife, their two children and 
their maid servants. They took passage on 
a vessel called Mary Ann, and on the i6th 
of October. 1^137, they became residents of 
Newberry, ^lassachusetts. The progeny of 
these first American ancestors is now very 
numerous in the new world. Elijah Boorde, 
Sr., the grandfather of our subject, was a 
brick mason and farmer. He married Nancy 
Crane, who was born March 4, 1801, and 
was a representative in the si.xth generation 
of the Tappan familv, of Enghsh descent. 
Among their children was George Boorde, 
the father of our subject. He was born 
June 27, 1826, in Warren county, Ohio, and 
on the 9th of September, 1847, h^ was united 
in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Bowling, 
wdiose birth occurred October 21, 1829, in 
Fountain county. Indiana. Mr. Boorde was 
reared about seven miles east of Covington, 
in Fountain county, having accompanied his 
parents on their removal to that locality when 
the country was all wild and unimproved. 



and in the midst of pioneer conditions he 
spent the days of his boyhood and youth, 
acquiring his education in the primitive 
schools of those days. He afterward en- 
gaged in farming through tire summer 
months, while in the winter seasons he fol- 
lowed teaching, and his wife also engaged 
in teaching before her marriage. Mrs. 
Boorde was a representative of one 
of the earliest families of Covington, 
Indiana, and there she resided until 1854, 
when the family came to A'ermilion count) 
Illinois. Here the father began farming up- 
on a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of 
land which was entirely destitute of im- 
pro\-ements, not even a furrow having been 
turned upon the place. The journey west- 
ward had been made in a "prairie schooner" 
in the primiti\'e style of the times, for there 
were no railroads and the work of progress 
and improvement had scarcely been begun 
in this portion of the state. \\'ith character- 
istic energy, however, ]\Ir. Boorde began to 
clear and improve his land, using a plow 
wdiich was drawn by an ox-team. The 
family lived in true pioneer style and while 
the father was engaged in the work of the 
fields the mother spun and wove the material 
used for clothing for the family. As the 
years progressed the labors of Mr. Boorde 
resulted in transforming his land ' into a 
very richly culti\-ated farm, the well tilled 
fields returning to him golden harvests while 
the e.xcellent buildings placed upon the land 
also stood as monuments to his thrift and 
enterprise. He devoted his energies to the 
raising of grain and stock until after the 
outbreak of the Ci\il war, when his patriotic 
spirit being aroused he offered his services 
to the government, enlisting in Company C, 
of the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illi- 
nois Infantry, being with the regiment as 



410 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



it marched to Nashville. The long, arduou- 
march, ho\ve\'er, undermined his health, am' 
he was transferred to the Invalid Corps and 
afterward stationed at a camp in southern 
Indiana. Subsequently he was sent to Canii 
Dennison, in Ohio, and for some time was 
ill. Word reached his wife that he was worse 
and she immediately started for Columbus, 
Ohio, and on reaching there hastened to 
Camp Chase thinking to find her husband, 
but before her arrival he had passed away 
and was Iniried, his death having occurred 
November 5, 1863, — one of the brave sol- 
diers who laid down his life as a sacrifice 
upon the altar of his country. He was a de- 
\-out meml)cr of the Christian Church, a man 
of upright life and irreproachable character, 
and his remains were interred in the cemetery 
in Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Boorde still sur- 
vives her husband and is now living in In- 
dianola in her seventy-tliird year. In the 
family were six children : Rosina, now de- 
ceased ; Alpheus, who married Stella Jones, 
and is living in Oakwood township; Enoch 
P., who died at the age of two years; Mar- 
tha, the wife of Joseph Fisher, of Fith 
ian ; lilijah J. ; and Ida May, who died at 
the age of twenty-four years. 

Elijah J. Boorde, the fifth in order of 
birth, named in honor of his grandfather, 
was reared upon the old home farm which 
is still his place of residence, and in the dis- 
trict schools of the neighborhood he acquired 
his education. He has always lived here 
with the exception of a period of two years 
spent in Danville and one year in South Da- 
kota. He to-day owns the old homestead 
and has added to it a tract of eighty acres, 
making in all two hundred and twenty acres 
save that at the time of the building of the 
railroad a small ])ortion was cut off, lca\ing 



two hundred and sixteen acres, which con- 
stitutes one of the richest and best improved 
farms of the Prairie state, pleasantly and 
conveniently located on section 12, Oakwood 
township, about a mile and a quarter north- 
west of the town of b'ithian. His farm is 
.splendidly improved with all modern equip- 
ments and accessories for facilitating work 
Mr. Boorde employs a number of men to 
])erf irm the active \vork of field and mead- 
(jw, and to the business of farming he gives 
his careful super\ision, and his capable man- 
agement and executive ability form import- 
ant elements in its successful control. The 
land is well tiled, the fields highly cultivated 
and fine stock is raised. The home is a very 
attractive, commodious residence, forming 
one of the pleasing featvu'es of the landscape 
and all the other buildings of the place are 
substantial and well adapted for the use 
to which they are put. Mr. I'x.iorde also owns 
an interest in the Fithian Telephone Com- 
pany, the line extending from Fithian 
throughout the surrounding country and 
also into Champaign county. 

On the 23d of February, 1888, Mr. 
Boorde was united in marriage to Miss An- 
nie B. Thompson, whose birth occurred 
March 31, 1861, in Oakwood township. Ver- 
nu'lion county, while in the district schools 
she acquired her preliminaiy education which 
was supplemented bv one year's attendance 
at the high .school of Danville. She has been 
a popular teacher of her native county hav- 
ing successfully taught for about twelve 
terms in Oakwood township. She was the 
third in a family of twelve children born 
unto John R. and Elizabeth (Wright) 
Thompson. Her paternal grandparents 
were Joseph and Xancy (Stoughton) 
Thom]>son, the former a native of Xcw Jer- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



411 



sey and the latter of Pennsylvania. John 
R. Thompson was horn in Washington 
county, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1830, and 
was the eighth in a family of eighteen chil- 
dren, twehx of whom reached years of ma- 
turity. On the 27th of Nox'emher, 1856, he 
was united in marriage to Miss Elizaheth 
Wright, and in order to pro\ide for his fam- 
ily he engaged in agricultural pursuits, be- 
coming one of the leading stock raisers of 
Vermilion county. He made a specialty of 
sheep, keeping on hand graded Shropshire 
and i\Ierinoes. He herded a drove of over 
one thousand sheep upon the prairie in an 
early day. He was also a lover of good 
horses and owned four fine horses of Ken- 
tucky running stock. In business afi'airs he 
was prominent and influential, and was a 
citizen of worth in Vermilion county, hon- 
ored and respected by all who knew him 
Mrs. Boorde is a sister of Judge Thompson. 
of this county. By her marriage she has' 
become the mother of two children, !\Ial)el 
and John Rosslyn, both of whom are stu- 
dents in the schools of Fithian. 

Mr. Boorde has served as school director 
and the cause of education finds him an 
advocate of progress and improvement along 
that line. He has also served as township 
trustee and has been Republican county com-' 
mitteeman for two terms, being a stanch 
advocate of the Republican party. Both he 
and his wife hold membership in the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church of Fithian and he is 
a member of the Modern Woodmen Camp 
of that place. His entire life has been passed 
in this county and the circle of his friends 
is an extensive one. While there has been 
nothing exciting or sensational in his career 
it is that of a man who has always been loyal 
to duty, faithful in citizenship and true to the 
relations of the home and of friendship. 



\\'. A. FLIXT. 

From the age of twehe years W. A. 
Flint has depended upon his own resources 
for a livelihood and the success which he has 
achieved has come to him as a result of his 
own labor and diligence. He was born i. 
Lincoln county, Kentucky, on the lOth of 
Alay, 1862, and was reared to manhood in 
that state. His educational privileges were 
\'ery meager, for his parents were poor and 
his services were needed upon the home 
farm. After his fathers' death, wdiich oc- 
curred when the subject of this review was 
only eleven years of age, W. A. Flint assisted 
in supporting the family of eight children. 
When twelve years of age he entered the 
store as a clerk and there remained for five 
years, li\-ing during that time at East Bern- 
stead, Kentucky. During the first year o 
his business connection at that place he sent 
ten thousand dollars by express, as the re- 
sult of the year's trade. He remained there 
for three years and then sold out. He had 
had the entire management of the business 
and had displayed much ability in its con- 
trol. On the expiration of that period he 
returned to his native county and entered the 
store in which he had formerly acted as 
clerk. In the meantime he had broadened 
his knowledge by attending night school and 
through reading and observation he had be- 
come a well informed man, realizing that 
mental training and education were necessi- 
ties of a successful bnsiness career. 

For two years he remained in his native 
county and after his marriage he went to 
Texas in 1886, making his way to Abilene. 
He took with him two hundred dollars in 
cash and there rented a house for twelve 
dollars per month. He entered the employ 
of a furniture dealer who paid him one dol- 



412 



THE BIOGRAPHICJAJ. RECORD 



lar per day for llie lirst year's wages. He 
prnseil So valuable to the owner that he 
won promotion rapidly and inside of tlirei. 
years he owned the building and tlie stock, 
acquiring this by reason of the stringency 
of the money market caused b)' the drought 
of 1887-8. its proprietors became discour- 
aged and on account of poor lousiness i)ros- 
pects he left Texas and went to Central 
America where he is now li\ing. When a 
year had passed ]\Ir. Elint admitted a part- 
ner to the business. Sales had not been 
very good because of the drouglit and ex- 
isting conditions of things in the south, but 
he persevered in his work and in 1888-9 he 
purchased the stock of all competitors in 
the turniturc business, becoming the owner 
of two stores, one in the northern ])art of the 
town and another in the southern jiart. He 
did all of the furniture and undertaking busi- 
ness in this town of live thousand inliabi- 
tants for ten years, having no competition. 
His trade covered a radius of one hundred 
miles in all directions. He remained in busi- 
ness there for fifteen years meeting with 
splendid success in his undertakings. He 
also became the owner of two valuable 
ranches, one of twenty-seven hundred acres, 
and the other of four thousand acres. These 
were splendidly stocked, his horses number- 
ing four hundred, his cattle five hundred. 
At length, however, Mr. IHiut disposed of 
his various business interests in Texas and 
came to Hoopeslon in 189S. At Lincoln. 
Illinois, he piu'chased a stock of shoes value;» 
at ten thousand dollars and shipped these to 
Hoopeston, also adding a grocery stock. In 
the meantime he had purchased a stock of 
dry goods in Kansas City, which he also 
shipped to Hoopeston, and opening these 
various lines of goods he conducted business 
for about two years as an extensive and suc- 



cessful merchant. .\t the end of that time, 
however, he suffered verv serious losses 
amounting to about twenty-five thousand 
dollars. This was a result of a diftlculty 
which he had with a man by the name of H. 
Kirliy, who had talsely manipulated land 
deals for Mr. Mint, making these business 
relations result to his own benefit instead of 
to the owner of the ])roperty. Mr. Kirby 
had completely won Mr. Mint's confidence 
and later he abused this in the most shame- 
ful manner. Troul)le arising between them 
in self-defense Mr. Mint shot the man bu 
did not fatrdl\- injure him. In his course our 
subject received the su])port of the best resi- 
dents of Hoopeston antl was ac(|uitted. 
Starting out in business life anew at this 
place he became a broker and real-estate 
agent and has since continued his efforts 
along these lines. \\'hile maintaining liis 
residence in Hoopeston he has to a large ex- 
tent superintended landed investments scat- 
tered over the state which are the property 
of the Bank of Salem, acting as agent for 
]\Ir. Marshall, of that place. He sold one 
farm in southern Illinois for yiv. Alarshall, 
for twenty-two thousand live hundred dollars 
cash. This tract com]irised one hundred and 
sixty acres, .and Mr. Mint succeeded in get- 
ting a higher \n\ce for the land than any 
that had ever been paid in that part of the 
state. He possesses sound judgment, keen 
discrimination and marked executi\'e force — 
qualities which are very valuable in business 
life. lUiilding a hotel in I'ana, Illinois, he 
ciMiductcd it for a number of years and then 
sold out. He has also'bought and sold farms 
in this state and he now owns six hundred 
and forty acres of valuable land on the Chi- 
cago & Eastern Illinois Railroad about fifty- 
five miles south of Ciiicago. He also owned 
the city electric light plant for a year and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



4'3 



managed it during that time, after which he 
sold it tn J 901. He is also the owner of a 
half interest in the Cuinningham Hotel. He 
has two hundred and forty acres of farm 
land near Salem. Illinois, and eighty acre^ 
near Kankakee, togetlier with some town 
property. 

Mr. Flint was united in marriage tn 
Lockie B. Daniels, a native of Lincoln coun- 
ty, Kentucky, wdiere they were married. Her 
people are now living in Abilene. Texas, 
while Mr. Flint's people still reside in Ken- 
tucky. Three days after the wedding wa: 
performetl the young couple started for the 
Lone Star state, where they remained for 
a numlier of years. The marriage has been 
l)Iessetl w ith four children : Harold, War- 
ren. J. P. and Ferris Audrey. In his polit- 
ical \iews Mr. Flint is a Bryan Democrat. 
He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fra- 
ternity, of Abilene, Texas, and holds mem- 
ijership in the Baptist church. Such in brief 
is his life history and those who read be- 
tween the lines may know something of the 
struggle which he has had in the business 
world, but though he has met difficulties and 
obstacles he has persevered in the face of 
such opposition and to-day he occupies an 
enviable position, prominent both because of 
his success and of the confidence reposed in 
him. 



EPHRAIM BARNHART. 

Ephriam Barnhart. now deceased, fol- 
lowed farming throughout his entire life and 
was long a resident of Vermilion county re- 
spected as a worthy representative of its 
agricultural interests. He settled in Edgar 
county, Illinois, at an early day and thence 
came to this section of the state. Mr. Barn- 



hart was a native of Pennsyh'ania. liorn 
July 10. 1834. and his parents, Jacob and 
Mary Barnhart. were also natives of the 
Keystone state. There they spent the greater 
portion of their lives, the father following 
the occupation of farming in Pennsylvania 
until his death. The mother, however, af- 
terward came to Illini)is and died at the 
home of her son George in Edgar county. 
* Mr. Barnhart of this review was indebted 
to the common schools of Pennsylvania for 
the educational pri\-ileges which he enj(.iyed 
in his youth. He resided in the state of his 
nativity during the period of his minority, 
assisting his father upon the home farm un- 
til after he became of age. He then made his 
way westward settling in Edgar county, Illi- 
nois, where he purchased a farm seven miles 
east of Paris. Here he began cultivating 
the soil on his own account and was engaged 
in the further development and improve- 
ment of his place. When the country, 
aroused over the issue of slavery and of the 
secession of the south, became involved in 
Civil war, he resolved to strike a blow in 
defense of.the L'nion. It was on the 28th of 
May. 1862. that Mr. Barnhart enlisted, be- 
coming a member of Company E, One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, at 
Paris, this state. He was under the com- 
mand of Captain Campbell and Colonel 
Birge and with his regiment he participated 
in a number of important engagements in- 
cluding the battles of Fort Donelson and 
Shiloh. Fie was never injured, however, in 
an encounter with the enemy, but because 
of failing health he received an hon(5rable 
discharge. Fie then returned to the farm in 
Edgar county and was there living at the 
time of his marriage. 

In 1863 Mr. Barnhart was joined in 
w'edlock to Miss Eliza T. Barrow, a nali\-e 



4'4 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



of Augusta county, X'irginia, born Xovem- 
ber i6, 1835, her parents being Bayless and 
Nancy (Myers) Barrow. Theye were na- 
tives of \'irginia and removed to Vigo coun- 
ty, Indiana, during tlic early girlliood of 
Mrs. Barnhart and there they h\ed until 
their death. The father devoted his atten- 
tions to agricultural pursuits. The home of 
oiu' subject and his wife was blessed with 
four children : Halbert. who resides with 
his mother, and is engaged in farming near 
the city ; Carrie, the wife of Walter Hannum. 
a plumber of Dan\-ille. by whom she has 
two children. Howard and Walter: Elea- 
niira, the wife of Robert Sage, a boiler ma- 
ker in Chicago; and Mayme, the wife of 
William H. Carson, a plumber of Danville, 
who is a member of the firm of Carson i^ 
Company. They reside with Mrs. Barnhart 
and have two children, Thomas Henry and 
Freddie Barnhart. 

Our subject and his wife Ijegan their 
domestic life upon his farm in Edgar county, 
Illinois, and there remained for eight years, 
after which they removed to Denison. Texas, 
where our subject .carried on agricultural 
pursuits for two years. He then returned 
to Illinois, settling in Clark county, where he 
carried on farm work for four rears, or until 
1884 when he moved with his family to Dan- 
ville. During the summer months he con- 
tiiuicd his farm work and during the winter 
seasons he followed teaming in this city until 
his health failed him and he was obliged to 
]Mit aside business cares, living retired from 
that time imtil called to his final rest. He 
passed away December 24, 1898. deeply re- 
gretted by his many friends. He had very 
firm faith in the principles of the Republi- 
can party and always supported its men and 
measures. Socially he was connected with 
the Grand Army Post of this city. Brooking 



no obstacle that could be overcome by de- 
termined and earnest effort, he achieved suc- 
cess in this way and at the same tiine he won 
a good name and left to his family and 
friends an example well worthy of emula- 
tion. .Mrs. Barnhart is a member of the 
First Cumberland Presbyterian church of 
Danville. She occupies a nice residence at 
No. 907 Robinson street, where she is li\ing 
with her son and with Mr. and Mrs. W. II. 

Carson. 

» » * • 

\\ILLIAM COSSAIRT. 

L'])ni; a good farm on section 4, Middle- 
fork township, lives William Cossairt and 
his ]jlace of one hundred and sixtv acres is 
eipiippetl with modern accessories which in- 
dicate him to l)e a progressive agriculturist. 
His land adjoins the town of Potomac on 
Ihe west and thus the comforts of town life 
are easily secured. A native son of Illinois, 
he was born near the city of Danville, July 
5, 1836. His father was Da\id Cossairt, 
his grandfather Albert Cossairt and both 
were natives of Kentucky. The latter re- 
miived with his family to Illinois in early 
j)ioneer liiues, settling in \'ermilion county 
north of the present city of Danville. 
There he secured a tract of wild land, which 
he transformed into a good farm, becoming 
one of the prosperous and well known agri- 
cidturists of his community. L'pon that 
place he reared his family and there lived to 
the rijic old age of more than ninety years. 

D.-ivid Cossairt was reared upon the old 
h(imestead and early became familiar with 
the arduous task of developing new land, 
lie also shared with the family in the vari- 
ous hardships and trials incident to frontier 
life. He was married in X'ermilion county 




MRS. WILLIAM COSSAIRT. 




WILLIAM COSSAIRT. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



419 



to Jane Caldwell, a native of Germany, who 
came wit1i her parents from Ohio to Ilh- 
nois. In order to provide for liis wife and 
fiir the children who were afterward added 
to the family, David Cossairt followed 
farming, living near the old homestead for 
several years. In 1842 he purchased the 
place now owned and occupied by his son 
\\'illiam and here he began farm work, 
making the first impro\ements on the place. 
His home w^as a hewed log house, in which 
he resided until the time of his death, which 
occurred about 1845, when he w^as yet a 
young man. His wife survived him for sev- 
eral years. Of the family of two sons and 
two daughters ^Villiam Cossairt is the eld- 
est. His brother John was a soldier of the 
war of the Rebellion, serving in Company I 
of the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illi- 
nois Infantry, and he died at Nashville, 
Tennessee, during the war. Mary, one of 
the sisters, grew to womanhood, was mar- 
ried and at her death left a son, William H. 
Young, who now resides in Idaho. The 
other sister, Margaret, is the wife of Isaac 
Dwiggin, of Waynetown, Indiana. 

In taking up the personal history of 
William Cossairt we present to our readers 
the life record of one who is widely and 
favorably known in Vermilion county. He 
grew to manhood on the farm wdiere he 
now li\'es and bought out the interest of the 
other heirs in the old home place, thus suc- 
ceeding to the ownership. He has cleared 
and broken the land, has fenced the fields 
and made the farm what it is to-day — a rich- 
ly developed tract splendidly adapted for ag- 
ricultural pursuits. He also erected a neat 
and substantial residence and planted an or- 
chard, the trees of which now bear good 
fruit. Some of the trees of his own planting 
are at the present time more than two feet 
in diameter, these being set out fifty-eight 



years ago. He has also tiled his land and 
added many ecjuipments of value to facili- 
tate farm work. He is now making a spe- 
cialty of feeding and fattening hogs and cat- 
tle for the market and is justly numbered 
among the successful stockmen of the 
county. 

In Middlefork township in 1861 was cel- 
ebrated the marriage of Air. Cossairt and 
Louisa A, Smith, a daughter of Septimus 
Smith, a native of England, but his daugh- 
ter was born and reared in Vermilion coun- 
ty. By this union there have been born nine 
children; William S., who is a practicing 
physician of Potomac ; Adeline S., at home ; 
David S., who is married and follows farm- 
ing in Middlefork township; Samuel A., 
also a farmer of the same township ; Laura 
Grace and Mary May, both at home; an I 
John. They lost two children, Emma, the 
first Ijorn, who died at the age of twenty 
months ; and Josephine, who died in in- 
fancy. 

Mr. Cossairt became of age in 1857 and 
it was therefore that in i860 he cast his 
first presidential vote. His ballot was de- 
posited for Abraham Lincoln and he has 
since been an earnest supporter of the Re- 
publican party, its men and its measures. 
He has served as school trustee since twen- 
ty-seven years of age, covering a period of 
more than four decades. He has also been 
township trustee for a number of years and 
for four consecutive years has been asses- 
sor. He has likewise served as a delegate to 
numerous conventions of his party and in 
all public offices of trust he has been prompt 
and faithful in the discharge of his duties. 
He and his wife hold membership in the 
Potomac Methodist Episcopal church and 
have been true to its teachings as exemplified 
in their noble relations with their fellow 
men. For over sixty years ]\Ir. Cossairt has 



420 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



resided upon the farm which is yet his home. 
Perliaps this record is equalled by that of 
no other resident of \'crmilion county. His 
entire life has been passed within the borders 
of tins county and he has watched its won- 
derful transformation. Great indeed have 
been the changes which have been wrought 
as the swampy land has been made to pro- 
duce abundant harvests. As towns and cities 
have been built the work of progress and im- 
provement lias been carried forward along 
all lines. There is not a man in the commu- 
nity more highly respected than William 
Cossairt and no history of this portion of 
the state would be complete without the rec- 
ord of his life. 



JESSE LEEKA. M. D. 

The (_[ualitics which make a successful 
physician ha\e long been manifested in the 
career of. Dr. Leeka, who is now practicing 
in Oakwood, Vermilion county, and his pro- 
fessional business has long been of an im- 
portant as well as of an extensive charac- 
ter. The Doctor was born in Clinton coun- 
ty, Ohio, May 19, 1830, and his father, 
Philip Leeka, was born in Washington coun- 
ty, \^irginia, in 1799, wdiile the grandfather 
of our subject was of German birth and was 
one of the Hessian soldiers that were hired 
by England without their consent to servt: 
in the Revolutionary war. Contrary winds, 
however, delayed the shi]is in which they 
embarked and the war was o\er before they 
arrix'ed in the new world. jNIr. Leeka, how- 
ever, decided to remain and settled in Vir- 
ginia. The mother of our subject bore the 
maiden name of Elizabeth Hodson, who was 
])nrn in North Carolina in 1797. It was in 



Clinton county, Ohio, that .she gave her hand 
in marriage to Philip Leeka, who was a 
farmer by occupation. He remo\ed to that 
county about 1815, settling upon a tract of 
land there. He spent his remaining days in 
that locality and died in June, 1884. The 
mother of our subject had passed away ir. 
Januar}-. 1843, and Philip Leeka later wed- 
ded Miss l*"razier, who is also now deceased. 
His political adherence was given to the 
Whig party in early life and he afterward 
became a Republican. In the family were 
ten children, namely. Jonathan, wIk) resides 
at New Vienna, Clinton county, Ohio 
Sarah, whu died in September, 1900; Han- 
nah, will 1 became the wife of Joseph A. Han- 
sel and Ii\ed for a time in Cedar county, 
Iowa but afterward removed to Linn coun- 
ty, that state, and died in Marion, Inwa, in 
the spring of 1900; Christian, who died at 
the age of seven years; the Doctor, who is 
the fifth in order of birth ; Henry, who was 
twice in.arried and who served as a L'ninn 
soldier in the Civil war and made his home 
in Clinton county, Ohio, where he died in 
May, 1901 ; Mary, who wedded John In- 
gold, who died in 1879 in New \^ienna, 
Clinton county, Ohio, where his widow now 
resides : ^Vlathew, who married Lucinda But- 
ler, of Hancock county, and has one chile' 
a daughter, and resides upon the old home- 
stead farm in Clinton county; John \\''esley. 
who enlisted in 1861 as a member of Com- 
pany A, Forty-eighth Ohio Infantry, and 
served for three years with the Union army 
and while on duty was wounded in the foo; 
at Pittslnirg Landing; and Martha E., who 
is the youngest of the family, now li\-ing in 
New \^ienna, Clinton county, Ohio. 

Dr. Leeka pursued his education in the 
Hoskins district school and in New Vienna. 
Ohio. He afterward engaged tn teaching 



BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



42 I 



for four niunths and later he came to Illi- 
nois, settling in Tuscola, Douglas county, 
where he taught school in the winter of 
1883-4. r^rom 1876 until 1878 he was a stu- 
dent in the Indiana Physio Medical College 
at Indianapolis, in which he was graduated 
with the class of 1878. He afterward prac- 
ticed in Jerome and Kokomo, Indiana, and 
later went to Missouri and to Kansas, but 
after a few months spent in the west he re- 
turned to Illinois and engaged in teaching 
school in Tuscola. From that place he re- 
moved to Fairmount, where he practiced 
medicine until 1886, when he came to Oak- 
wood and entered upon a professional career 
which has been profitable and has dcmon- 
ctrated his skill in a marked degree. 

On the 22(1 of February, 1855, in Rush- 
ville. Rush county, Indiana, the Doctor wed- 
ded Rebecca A. Macy, who was born in 
Henry county, Indiana, June i, 1835. Her 
father, b^rancis B. IMacy. was a native of 
North Carolina, and was descended from 
one of three brothers of the name, who came 
from England to the new world when the 
Quakers were being banished from that 
country. They took up their abode in Nan- 
tucket and there, intermingling with the In- 
dians, married some of the maidens of the 
red race. Francis B. married Hulda B. 
Hunt, a nati\-e of North Carolina and a rep 
resentative of an old family of that state, 
prominent in jjublic affairs and active as 
members of the Quaker Society. They were 
married in Henrj' count)', Indiana, where 
the father followed his trade of a tinsmith. 
Subsequently he removed to Rush county, 
Indiana, and afterward to Kokomo, where 
both he and his wife lie buried. He voted 
with the Whig party and was identified with 
the Society of Friends. Mrs. Leeka was 
one of a familv of four children, but the 



onh' one now survi\-ing is John L. Macy, a 
resident of Kokomo. Mrs. Leeka died April 
14, 1873, and on the 3d of May, 1885, i" 
Fairmount, Illinois, the Doctor wedded Miss 
Elizabeth J. Timmons, who was born in Car- 
roll county, Indiana, in 1838. By the first 
marriage there were five children. Francis 
Edgar, who married Sarah Sisson, is man- 
ager of the Durango Smelting Works of 
Durango, Colorado. Charles V.. who re- 
sides on a farm in Porter county, Indiana, 
wedded Ida Ailsworth and they had fi\-( 
children, of whom two are living. Theodore 
and Ethel. \\'illiam L., wh became a phy- 
sician but is now a photographer of Fair- 
mount has been twice married and by his 
union with :Mary Gibson had three children, 
while by the second marriage one child has 
been born. Cora Ann, the fourth of the 
family, died at the age of twelve years. Dan- 
iel K., who is a practicing dentist, is also a 
photographer. 

Dr. Leeka is a stanch Republican and for 
two terms served as coroner in Henry coun- 
ty, Indiana. For fourteen years he has been 
notary public and for four years was post- 
master, while at the present time he is serv- 
ing as clerk of Oakwood township. He be- 
longs to Newton Lodge, No. 714, F. & A. 
M.. having been a Mason for forty-nine 
years, becoming a member of the craft in 
New Vienna, Ohio. He has served as ex- 
aminer for all the insurance fraternal or- 
ganizations which have representatives in 
Oakwood and for many insurance societies. 
He is a member of the American Phvsio 
Medical Association and of the Illinois Phy- 
sio Medical Association and through these 
relations he keeps in touch with the advanced 
thought of the profession, with the investiga- 
tions which are continually being made and 
with the experiments which result in broad- 



422 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ening knowledge and promoting the effi- 
ciency of the physician. The Doctor is also 
a member of tlie Metlrodist Episcopal church 
and of the Grand Army of the Republic. He 
is entitled to membership in the latter be- 
cause of his services as a Union soldier in the 
Civil war. He enlisted at Carthage in Rush 
county, Indiana, December 12, 1863, as a 
member of Company E, Ninth Indiana Cav- 
aln,% with which he served until the 29th of 
September, 1S65. He was then mustered out 
at Vicksburg, Mississippi. His regiment par- 
ticipated in a number of noted engagements 
and while at the front he contracted rheuma- 
tism because of the dampness occasioned by 
the swamps by which the troops were many 
times surrounded. Dr. Leeka is to-day as 
true and loyal in matters of citizenship as 
he was when he wore the nation's blue uni- 
form and in ci\ic office and in professional 
life he is most faithful to the trust reposed in 
him. He stands to-day among the promi- 
nent res])ected and honored men of his com- 
munitv. and nn history of Oakwood or this 
section of Vermilion county would be com- 
plete without the record of his career. 



WILLIAM 



DAVIS. 



^^'illiaul f. Davis, a real-estate operator 
of Danville, was born in Vermilion county, 
August I, 1838, and is a representative of 
one of the old pioneer f;unilies of that local- 
ity. His father. James A. Davis, was a na- 
tive of England and in the year 1828 sailed 
for .\merica, landing at Savannah, Georgia, 
where for a time he was cm])loyc(I as a clerk 
in a store. He afterward started up the 
■Mississi])pi river in the boat. Rrandywine, 
but the vessel caught lire and he jumped 
into the ri\er, swimming ashore with the aid 



of a board. He lost all he had, however, 
and after being furnished transportation to 
Natchez, he walked from there to Danville. 
He had been given a suit of old clothes and 
a little nioncN', but he bad only twehe cents 
upon his arrival here and he had never 
worked out of doors before in his life, being 
entirely unused to the hard labor of a farm 
or other such occupation. He was accom- 
panied by a man of the name Russell, who 
was also without funds. An old Quaker 
gave them shelter over night and then 
made a gift of one dollar and twenty- 
fi\'e cents to each, sending them on their way 
rejoicing. The lirst thing which Mr. Davis 
did in X'crmilion county was to conduct a 
school, '[lie settlers built a little log school-, 
house in the spring of 1S32 and he became a 
teacher of the first school e\'er taught in 
Danville, thus laying the foundation for the 
educational ilevelopment of this portion of 
the state. The building was located at what 
is now the foot of Hazel street and there Mr. 
Davis taught for three months, after which 
he volunteered for service in the Black 
Hawk w.ir and not only did he do his mili- 
tary (hity but he also acted as nurse to some 
old soldiers who had cholera. He was never 
sick or wounded, however, and after the 
war he returned to Danville, where in tlie 
foUowuig spring he was married and llicn 
engaged in farming. It was on the 22(1 (jf 
March, 1833, in this city that he wedded 
Lavina Canaily, a native of Kentucky, and 
for a year be li\cd upon a rented farm, after 
which be took up go\-ernment land near 
Statelinc, coiitinuing there until 1847, when 
he removed to a large farm in the north- 
western part of the county, carrying on ag- 
ricultural pursuits until the 15th of May, 
1S51. when he retired from farm life and 
removed to Danville, where he lived until 
1888. Me then went to California in tlie 




WILLIAM J. DAVIS 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



427 



hope of benefiting- liis witVs healtli and they 
Hved in Anaheim, Orange county, until 
called to their final rest, Mr. Davis passing 
away May i. 1902, and his wife on the 17th 
of August, 1S95. He was a Republican in 
politics and by appointment served for sev- 
eral terms as deputy shei-itT, but he always 
refused to become a candidate for any elec- 
tive office. He was, however, deeply inter- 
ested in public alTairs, contributing of his 
time and efiorts to the jiromotion of all 
measures calculated to prove of general ben- 
efit. For many years he was a member of 
the Odd Fellows Society and was an active 
and helpful member of the Christian church, 
his life being in harmony with its teachings, 
in fact, to known James A. Davis was to es- 
teem and honor him for his upright career 
made him win the regard of all and he 
should also be held in grateful remembrance 
by the people of Vermilion county for what 
he did in its behalf, for he assisted in laying 
broad and deep the foundation of pioneer 
development, upon which rests the present 
prosperity and progress of this section of the 
state. 

William J. Davis is one of a family of 
five children, all yet living, and was the first 
born. The others are: Frances P., the wife 
of W. R. Harker, a resident of California; 
Mary, the widow of Leonidas M. Brown, 
who died in Los Angeles, California, where 
she is now living; Julia, who is the widow 
of John Lane and resides in Gardetr Grove, 
Orange county, California; and Alice, who 
makes her home with her sister Julia. 

In his early youth W^illiam J. Davis pur- 
sued his education under his father's in- 
struction in a country school in Newell 
township and afterward attended the public 
schools of Danville until nineteen years of 
age. when he accepted a clerkship in the Le 
Seuer store, where he remained for a year. 

18 



He was afterward in the employ of W. R. 
Gessie for six months and then accepted the 
position of deputy county clerk under J. C> 
Short, serving for four years. At the end 
of that time, in August, 1862, Mr. Davis 
became a defender of the Union, joining the 
boys in blue of Company C, One Hundred 
and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, enlisting 
at Danville under Captain William W. Fel- 
lows and Colonel O. F. Harmon. He was 
then ordered to Louis\-ille, Kentucky, to join 
the Ami}- of the Cumberland and served for 
four months when he was taken ill, because 
of exposure and was discharged for physical 
disability. He returned to Danville but for 
a year thereafter was confined to his home 
and when he had sufficiently recovered his 
health he entered the office of the circuit 
clerk, who had been county recorder when 
^[r. Davis served as deputy. For four years 
he occupied that position and then w'as en- 
gaged in the abstract business for five years, 
since which time he has been engaged in real 
estate dealing. Perhaps no better idea of 
Mr. Da\'is" high reputation as a business 
man can be given than to quote a letter 
wdiich was signed and endorsed by many 
of t he leading citizens of this section of the 
state an.d other portions of Illinois. It read : 
"This letter will introduce to you Mr. Will- 
iam J. Davis, a man whom I have known 
for many years as a careful, honest, inde- 
fatigable worker. He has been in the real 
estate and abstract business for a great 
many years and he is well ([ualified to attend 
to anything in that line of business as any 
man in the county. I heartily commend him 
to your careful consideration. 
"V^ery truly yours, 

Thomas J. Dale, county cleric. 

W. C. Thompson, county treasurer. 

"I heartily and cheerfully concur." 
J. G. Cannon, member of congress. 



428 



THE BIOGRArillCAL RECORD 



F. Bodkwalter. judge of the circuit court of tlie 
fifth judical district. 

M. J. Barger. circuit clerk. 

C. V. Guy, manager of \'enTiilion County .M)jtract 
Company. 

W. J. Callioun. inter .state commerce commissioner. 

C. M. Swallow, president of Glcnbiirn Coal Com- 
pany. 
"I concur in the above :" 

William P. Cannon, president Second National 
Bank. 
"So do I :" 

John C. Black, Manadnock Building, Chicago. 

J. B. Mann, Lawyer, Marquette Building, Chicago. 

Jacob W. VVilkins, one of the judges of the 
Supreme Court of Illinois. 

James Sloan, Sheriff. 

M. W. Thompson, county judge. 

L. D. Gass, casliier First Natinal Bank. 

M. J. Wolford, cashier Palmer National Bank. 

Jolin G. Thompson, assistant attorney general of 

I Washington. D. C. 

On the lotli of December, 1863, in Dan- 
ville, Mf. Davis marfied Charlotte E. 
Baker, who \vas horn in Fort Kent. Essex 
county, Xew "^'ork. October 22, 1843. ^^^ 
father, J. R. Baker, was a native of Eng- 
land and in New York was married to Mar- 
garette Frazier, a native of Fort Kent, New 
York, In the year 1850 they came to the 
west and after ten years located in Danville, 
where Mr. Baker was engaged in the boot 
and shoe business until his death, which 
occurred in 1881, His wife survived him 
until 1888. In politics he was a Democrat. 
Mrs. Davis had three brothers. Unto our 
subject and his wife have been born three 
children : Charles E., who died at the age 
of eighteen years; Edwilda F.. the wife 
of Walker F. Rabb, a resident of Engle- 
wood, Illinois, by whom she has one 
child. Ina. and Harry W,. who married 
Clara Shultz. who died in 1894. since which 
time he has wedded Lena Burroughs. 
They reside in Danville and ha\e two chil- 
dren, Charles E, and James A. 



In his political views Mr, Davis is a 
Rei)ubhc;in but has always refusetl to be- 
come a candidate for oftice. He was 
formerly a member of the Odd I'ellows So- 
ciety and he belongs to the Christian church. 
He owns property in Dan\ille and has an 
office in the Daniels Building, where he con- 
ducts a good real estate business. 



C. H. GILLESPIE. 



C. H, Gillespie is thoroughly familiar 
with the builder's art and through a number 
of years has been closely associated with the 
building interests of Danville where many 
line structures have arisen as monuments to 
his skill and enterprise. He was born in 
Detroit, ^Michigan, November 21, 1849, '""'^ 
father being William G, Gillesi)ie, who was 
born in the Shenandoah Valley of Pennsyl- 
vania, In Michigan he was united in mar- 
riage to Eliza Swan and in order to i)rovide 
for his family he followed agricultural pur- 
suits. They became the parents of five chil- 
dren, all of whom are yet living, namely 
C. LI., Lo\ell, I'rank, Ba.xter and Grace. The 
last named is now making her home with her 
mother in Birmingham, Michigan. The 
father is deceased, having departed this life 
in 1887. 

.\t the usual age C. H. Gillespie entered 
the public schools and thus he acquired his 
education. In the periods of vacation he 
worked upon his father's farm, becoming 
familiar with the labors of field and meadow, 
FIc was thus emplyed until twenty-one years 
of age when he abandoned the i)low for the 
saw and plane. He mastered carpentry work 
in Michigan and in 1875 '^^ came to Dan 
ville, where two days later he secured a posi- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



429 



tiun in the coach department of tlie Chicago 
& Eastern lUinois Raih"oad Company. Tliere 
lie was employed for four }-ears and ter. 
mcjnths, giving excellent satisfaction. On 
lea\ing that service he worked for two years 
as a journeyman carpenter and then began 
general contracting and building which ho 
has since followed with signal success. He 
has erected many of Danville's sul)stantial 
and attractive residences and business 
houses. He built the Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association block, the Germantowri 
school building, the Hendricks flats and the 
Gimbell store building, together with many 
others. In tact he has enjoyed a liberal 
share of the patronage in his line in Dan- 
ville. For two years he was associated with 
a partner, but throughout the remainder of 
the period since Ijeginning business on his 
own account he has been alone. During the 
past few years his work has been conifnefl 
chiefly to this city and he has executed man) 
important contracts which indicate his aliil 
ity in the line of his chosen occupation. He 
is most trustworthy and reputable in busi- 
ness afifairs and this, combined with his me- 
chanical skill, enables him to enjoy in a large 
measure the support and confidence of the 
public. 

Mr. Gillespie is a member of the Knights 
of the Globe. His political support is given 
the Republican party and he was solicited 
to become a candidate for alderman from 
his ward but refused to do so, having no 
political ambitions, being content to devote 
his entire time and attention to his business 
affairs wdiich are now extensive and impor- 
tant, so that he employs from ten to twenty 
men during the building season. He 
erected his own home at the corner of Hazel 
and Davis streets and has other city prop- 



ert}- \alued at about twenty thousand dol- 
lars. 

In 1876, in Dan\-ille, occurred the mar- 
riage of Mr. Gillespie and Miss Delilah 
Clutter, who vras born in \'ermilion county 
I'ebruary 2, 1856. Her father died during 
her childhood and her mother now resides 
in Homer. She has one sister, Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Morrison, who lives near Homer. Four 
sons ha\-e been born unto our subject and his 
wife. Lovell married Ici Dora Cass, and is 
acting as foreman for his father. He was 
with Battery A from Danville, under Captain 
Yeager, of this place, with the command of 
General Miles, in Porto Rico ; William, the 
second son, is also in his father's employ; 
Dane lives at home; and Harry, the young- 
est son. is in the Indian Territory and will 
probably become a rancher. In analyzing 
the life work of Mr. Gillespie it will be found 
that his history is one which will bear the 
closest scrutin}', for his entire career has been 
colored by straightforwanl dealing with his 
fellow men. Courteous, genial, well in- 
formed, alert and enterprising, he stands 
to-day among the leading representative men 
of his citv. 



TILGHMAN A. BRATTON. 

Through almost forty-six years Tilgh- 
man A. Bratton has been a resident of Ver- 
million county and to-day is one of the suc- 
cessful and enterprising farmers of Ross 
township where he owns one hundred and 
sixty-four acres of good land. He is a na- 
tive of the neighboring state of Indiana, his 
birtli having occurred near Waynetown, in 
Montgomery county, September 4, 1849. 
His father, Charles S. Bratton. was born in 



43" 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Montgomery count}', in i8j8. while the 
grandfatlier of our sul)ject, Archer Bratton, 
was a native of Kentucky. The great-great- 
grandfather was born in Ireland and on 
leaving that country crossed the Atlantic 
to the new world Ijecoming one of the i)io- 
neer settlers of the Blue (irass state. Archer 
r>ratton grew to manhood in that state and 
was there married, after which he remcivcd 
to Indiana, becoming one of the first settlers 
of Montgomery county. There he cleared 
away the trees from a tract of land, turned 
the furrows in liis fields, planted the crops 
and in course of time reaped good har\-ests. 
Upon the farm whicli he developed he reared 
his family, including Charles S. Bratton. 
The latter after arriving at years of matm-- 
itv wedded Sarah .\rniontrout, born near 
\\'avnet(nvn, Indiana. They began their d()- 
mestic life upon the Shawnee prairie and 
while living there Mrs. Bratton died, leaving 
two children, Tilgliman and Mrs. Eliza Jane 
Hamilton, who is now a widow living in" 
Vermilion county, Illinois. After the death 
of his first wife the father married again and 
aljuut 1856 came to this state, purchasing 
land in what is now known as Butler town- 
shi]), \'ermilion county. He entered a tract 
of three hundreil and twenty acres which he 
1)roke and improved. Later lie sold one hun- 
dred and sixty acres and on the remaining 
([uarter section placed substantial improve- 
ments and developed a fine farm, rearing 
his family there. In 1888 he removed to 
Rossville, purchased projjerty in the town 
and spent his last years there in honorable 
retirement from l;ibor, passing away in Au- 
gust, 1892. His second wife still survives 
him and makes her home with the subject of 
this re\-iew. 

On the old home farm Tilghman A. 
Bratton was reared. His school ])rivileges 



were limited and he is almost entirely self- 
educated, but he has greatly broadened his 
knowledge since arriving at years of matur- 
ity. He remained with his father antl car- 
ried on the home place until 1888. His 
father then removed to the town and our 
sul)ject continued to operate the home farm 
until i8<)3. The following year he came to 
Rossville and in lyoi he purchased the farm 
in Iv iss lownsliip which he now owns and to 
the cultixation of which he dev(jtes his ener- 
gies. 

In 1870, in Iiutler township, .Mr. Bratton 
was united in marriage to Maria Biddle, who 
was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, 
and is a daughter of Stephen Biddle, who 
removed to P'orter and afterwarel to Jasper, 
Indiana, and about 1861 c;une to \'ermilii)n 
countv, Illinois, where Mrs. Bratton spent 
the greater part of her girlhood. I'>y her 
marriage she became the mother of two 
children, but Lennie died in 1890 at the age 
of eighteen years. The son, Charles S., is 
still \\ith his parents. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
lirattcin are devout members of Rossville 
Christian church in which he is serving as 
an elder and trustee, and in the work of the 
church they take an active and deep inter- 
est. I'lilitically he is independent, casting his 
ballot in support of the candidates whom he 
regarils best cpialified for office and of the 
measiu'es which be thinks will most largely 
serve the genera! good. He is a friend of 
the cause of education, believes in having 
good schools and cm])lo\'ing competent 
teachers, and for ;i (|uarl(.'r nf a centnr\- he 
has done effective service in this regard by 
serving as a member of the school board. 
He has been on the tciwn school board 
for seven vears and used bis intluence to se- 
cure the present substantial school build- 
ings of which Rossville has everv reason to 




MR. AND MRS. JAMES H. DICE. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



433 



be prond. During his long residence in 
Vermilion county he has become widely and 
fax'orably known. The traveler of to-day 
looking upon the cities with their pulsing- 
industrial and commercial activity and upon 
the fine farms of Vermillion count}^ can 
scarcely realize that within the memory of 
Mr. Bratton this district of the state was 
largely' a wild and unimproved region 
crossed with sloughs, while much of the 
land therefore was swampy. He has seen 
deer and wolves in the county and has rid- 
den for miles over the wild prairie unim- 
peded by a fence, i)ut there came to this 
region a class of people with resolute spirit 
and progressive ideas and through their 
efforts Vermilion county has been splendidlv 
developed, Mr. Bratton bearing his share 
in all the work of improveiuent. 



JAMES H. DICE. 

James H. Dice, the well known pvn- 
prietor of the South Side Jersey farm and 
one of the leading business men of Hoopes- 
ton, is a native of the neighboring state 
of Indiana, his birth having occurred in 
Fountain county on the loth of January, 
1862. His parents, George and Catherine 
(Workman) Dice, were also born in that 
county, the former in 1833 and the latter 
in 1843. Throughout his acti\'e lousiness 
life the father has engaged in agricultural 
pursuits and still owns and operates a fine 
farm of two htindred acres in his native 
county. In his family were twelve chil- 
dren, nine of whom are still living, namely: 
James H., of this review; Frank, a resident 
of Grant township, Vermilion county, Illi- 
nois : Carrie, wife of Dr. Savior, of Coving- 
ton, Indiana: Ah'essa, wife of Frank Good- 



win, also of Grant township: Amanda, wife 
of Walter Harris, of Fountain county. In- 
diana ; Winifred, wife of ;\lr. Crooks, a 
school teacher of \''ermilion county, Illi- 
nois: Josie, a singer of much ability who 
is now with a traveling evangelist; and 
Katie and Clifford, both at home. 

James H. Dice, whose name introduces 
this sketch, grew to manhood in Van Buren 
township. Fountain county, Indiana, and is 
indebted to the puhlic schools of the local- 
ity for his educational privileges. As soon 
as old enough to be of any assistance he 
commenced to aid in the work of the home 
farm and continued to give his father the 
benefit of his lalx)rs until his marriage. 

It was on the 18th of December, 1887, 
that Mr. Dice \\edded Miss Kittie B. Ray. 
who was also born in Fountain county, In- 
diana, November 20, 1867, a daughter of 
W. L. and Mary Jane (Carpenter) Ray. 
Her father is still living and makes his 
home in Lafayette, Indiana, but her mother 
is now deceased. She has three sisters, 
namely : Victoria, wife of Henry Bushing, 
of Denver. Colorado: Julia, wife of W. D. 
Coffing, of Stone Bluff", Indiana ; and Cretie, 
wife of Harry Dice, of Hoopeston. Our 
subject and his wife have three children: 
Glen Lloyd, Chauncey and Marie. 

In 1888 Mr. Dice came to Vermilion 
county and has since made his home in 
Grant township, living upon rented land for 
twelve years. In the meantime he purchased 
a farm of one hundred acres near Roval 
Center, Indiana, which he sold three years 
later and then bought a tract of two hun- 
dred and twenty acres southwest of Hoopes- 
ton, which he held for two years. In Sep- 
tember, 1900, he purchased his present 
farm, then consisting of fifty-two acres ad- 
joining the corporation on the south, on 



454 



Till-: JilOGRAPllICAL RECORD 



which was a good residence costing fort\- 
iive hundred dollars. He has since platted 
fifteen acres oi this tract, dividing it into 
forty-five lots facing Second avenue and 
Orange street, which he subsequently traded 
for a farm of two hundred and forty 
acres near l-iochester. Indi;uia, S(j that 
he now has about thirty-seven acres of 
the original purchase, which he has fitted 
lip for dairy purposes, and now gives his 
entire time and attention to that business. 
He has a fine herd of t\venty-se\en Jersey 
cows and finds a ready market for his milk 
and cream in Hoopeston. In May, 1900, 
Mr. Dice purchased a half interest in a brick 
and tile factory south of the town, co\'ering 
ten acres, and operated it in connection with. 
E. A. Smith for about a year, when his 
partner sold out to Peter Anderson. I'lie 
works were burned, howe\'er. on the 26tli 
of May, 1901, and tlie following July ^Ir. 
Dice traded his interest in the land on the 
proi^erty near Ivochcstcr, Indiana. ])re\ious- 
ly referred to. Since that time he has gi\-en 
his attention exclusively to his dairy busi- 
ness, renting his farm in the Hoosier state. 
He is a very wide-awake and energetic Ijusi- 
ness man and in all his undertakings has met 
with a well merited success. Religiously 
Mrs. Dice is connected with the Christian 
church .'uicl sociallv he is .a member of the 
Independent Order of Intresters. while 
politicall}- he is identified with the Republi- 
can partv. 



JOSEPH B. MANN. 

Joseph B. ]\lann was the first city attor- 
ney of Danville and almost continuously 
since that time he has been a member of the 

Vermilion county bar. his jjractice covering 



all departments of jurisprudence, showing 
a comprehensive knowledge of the science 
of law. Mr. Mann is a native of Xew Jer- 
se_\'. his birth having occurred in Somer- 
ville. Somerset county, on the 9th of Xo- 
vember. 1.S43. Tlie Mann family is of Hol- 
land lineage and was founded in Pennsyl- 
vania prior to the Revolutionary war. The 
paternal great-grandfather of our subject 
was a colonel in the Pennsylvania militia 
and participated in the battle of Germantown 
during the struggle for independence. After 
the cessation of hostilities he took up his 
abode in Berks county, Pennsylvania, among 
its earliest residents. Joim M. Mann, the 
father of our subject, was l)orn in Pennsyl- 
vania, but in early youth accompanied his 
familv on their removal to Middlesex cotm- 
t\-. Xew Jersex', and later to Somerset coun- 
tv. where he was reared to manhood. Pre- 
])aring for the bar he became one of tlic dis- 
tinguished lawyers of that state and left the 
impress of his strong mentality and marked 
ability upon its judicial history. He was 
also a recognized factor in ])olitical circles. 
but never sought the rewards of office in 
recognition of jiartv fealty. He served, 
however, as clerk of courts and also as sur- 
rogate for two terms, and later in life he was 
elected a member of the New Jersey legis- 
lature. He was several times offered the 
nomination for congress in his county, 
where such a nomination was equivalent to 
election, but he alwavs declined the honor. 
He was ne\'er ;imbitious for ])olitical jirefer- 
nient. content to do his duties as a ]irivate 
citizen and in that way to exercise his influ- 
ence in behalf of ])ul)lic progress and ini- 
])rovement and as a molder of public opin- 
ion. He was united in marriage to Eliza 
Bunnell, of Hunterdon county. New Jersey, 
who was of l-"rencli lineage on the paternal 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



435 



side and of Irish ancestry in the maternal 
hne. Her great-grand fatlier served as a 
private in the Re\-ohitionary war. Unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Mann were born eight chil- 
dren, five of whom are yet living: Mrs. 
A. Bishop Baldwin, the widow of General 
A. Bishop Baldwin, of New Jersey; Alexan- 
der v., who is president of the Lumber- 
man's National Bank, of Muskegon, Alichi- 
gan ; Charles B., a merchant of Muskegon: 
Samuel B., who is the treasurer of the firm 
of Aiken & Lambert, of Maidens Lane, Xew 
York; and Joseph B. Of those who have 
passed away one died in infancy. William, 
the second, was an adjutant of the One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry in the Civil war and served for three 
years. For a long period he was a promi- 
nent merchant of Danville, but has now de- 
parted this life. Charles B. was a major of 
the Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry with 
which lie ser\'ed until the close of the w'ar 
and both he and \Villiam Mann went with 
Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. 
Samuel B. was sergeant-major of the Third 
New Jersey Infantry and John W. was ad- 
jutant of the Twenty-seventh New Jersey 
Infantry and died from disease contracted 
while in the service. 

When a boy of six summers Joseph B. 
Mann became a student in the common 
schools of Somerville, New Jersey, and 
later pursued a preparatory course at Flat- 
bush, Long Island, and at Poughkeepsie. 
New York. He then entered Rutgers Col- 
lege, at New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the 
fall of 1863, becoming a member of the 
sophomore class. He pursued the full course 
and was graduated in June, 1865, with the 
degree of Bachelor of Arts, while in 1868 
the degree of Master of Arts was conferred 
upon him by his alma mater. When in C(il- 



lege he was an active and influential mem- 
ber i)f the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, 
and he was appointed to fill the positiun of 
junior orator in his junior year. 

After his graduation Mr. 2\lann made his 
wa\- westward to Chicago and became a 
student in the law schoiil at the corner of 
Clark and Washington streets. He was led 
to locate in that city because Iiis brothers 
had pre\-iously taken up their abode in the 
West. A year later, howe\-er, Mr. Mann 
came to Dan\-ille to study law in the office 
and under the direction of Judge O. L. 
Da\"is. He entered the office in July, 1866, 
and in February, of tlie following year he 
was admitted to the bar, passing an examina- 
tion before the circuit judge and the pros- 
ecuting attorney. In May, 1867, he was 
elected attorney of Danville, which city had 
just been incorporated and thus he was the 
first one to hold the office. The following 
year he refused a second nomination, ha\'- 
ing in the meantime entered into partnership 
with Judge Davis, his former preceptor. 
This relation was continued until the judge 
was re-elected to the bench in 1873, after 
which Mr. Mann practiced alone for a few 
years, when he entered into partnership 
with W. J. Calhoun and later D. W. Frazier 
was admitted to the firm under the style of 
Mann, Calhoun & Frazier. This partner- 
ship was maintained until Mr. Calhoun was 
elected prosecuting attorney of \^erniilion 
county, which necessitated a dissolution of 
the business relationship, because the prac- 
tice of the firm included criminal cases. The 
firm of Mann & Frazier thus existed until 
the retirement of Judge Davis from the 
bench in 1885, when the firm of Davis & 
Mann was again formed, a most harmonious 
relationship existing between the two men 
until the Judge retired from the active prac- 



436 



!!•: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



tice of law. At that time IMr. Calhoun 
again became a partner of Mr. Mann's and 
so remained nntil 1891, when our subject 
went to Chicago, there entering into part- 
nership with Curtis H. Reniy, under the firm 
name of Remy & Mann. Thus he practiced 
until Julv. 1901. and since his return to 
Danville he has been alone in Inisiness. 

On the 1st of January, 1874. Mr. Mann 
was united in marriage to Miss Lucy A. 
Davis, a daughter of Judge O. L. Davis. 
and they now have three children : Fred 
B., Oliver D. and Nellie. The eldest is in 
the employ of the Western Steel Car Com- 
pany, of Chicago, while 01i\'er is studying 
law in the office of his father and Xellie is 
at home. 

A prominent ^lason, Mr. ^lann is a 
member of the blue lodge, chapter, council 
and commandery of Danville and he also be- 
longs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity 
and the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks. In his jjolitical views he has followed 
in his father's footsteps and all of his broth- 
ers have likewise been stanch advocates of 
the Democrac}'. He has served as city 
attorney, as alderman, as a member of 
the board of supervisors and of the thirty- 
second general assembly of Illinois, was a 
delegate to the national convention in Chica- 
go in 1884. when Grover Cle\-eland was 
nominated, and has been a delegate to every 
state convention that has been held during 
his residence in \'crniilion county. To the 
student who can read between the lines this 
is an evidence of his prominence in political 
circles. His opinions carry weight in tin 
councils of the party. While undoubtedly 
he is not without that honoraljle ambition 
which is so powerful and useful as an in- 
centive to activity in i)ublic affairs, he re- 
gards the pursuits of pri\-atc life as being 



in themselves abundantly worthy of his best 
efforts. Well versed in the learning of his 
profession, and with a deep knowledge of 

human n;iture and of the springs of human 
conducts, with great shrewdness and sagacity 
and extraordinary tact, he is in the courts 
an aihocate of great power ;md influence. 
Both judges and juries always hear him with 
attention and dcci) interest. 



DARRS DUXCAX. 

In the days when A'ermilion countv was 
situated upon the frontier Darius Duncan 
became one of its residents. Illinois has 
affi^rded \ery splendid opportunities to the 
fanners and stock-raisers, its broad lands 
being rich and fertile and its meadows furn- 
ishing excellent pasturage. Recognizing 
Inisiness possibilities in this direction Mr. 
Duncan became an active factor in agricul- 
tural circles, his business constantly grow- 
ing lioth in volume and imiiortance until it 
had assumed great magnitude. Thus he be- 
came quite wealthy and was also recognized 
as one of the prominent and influential resi- 
dents of his county. 

^Ir. Duncan was born Devember 2. 
i8i_^. in Kentucky. His father. James 
Diuican. was a natix'e of Pennsylvania and 
with his family removed to Kentucky at an 
early day. there engaging in farming and 
stock-raising imtil his death. The subject 
of this review acquired a limited education 
in liis native state. He assisted his father 
in the work of the home farm in Kentucky 
until 1833. when he resolved to locate in 
Vermilion county. Illinois, recognizing that 
the business opportunities here would lead 
to success. Accordinglv he took up his 




DARIUS DUNCAN. 




MRS. DARIUS DUNCAN. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



441 



abode near Stateline. where he Ijegan mak- 
ing improvements, engaging in farming at 
first on a small scale. In course of time his 
lands begun to return to him excellent har- 
vests and thereby his financial resources 
were materially increased. He then turned 
his attention to the stock business, rais- 
ing fine stock. His operations in that 
enterprise also were enlarged from year 
to year until he liecame one of the most 
extensi\e buyers in this portion of Illinois. 
He purchased cattle, horses, hogs and sheep 
and shipped to the markets of New York 
and Chicago. He handled hundreds and 
thousands of grades of stock and gained a 
wide reputation as one of the leading stock 
dealers upon the broad prairies of Illinois. 
At the same time he was also investing his 
capital in land and dealing- in real estate. 
His judgment concerning farm property 
was equally reliable with his opinions con- 
cerning stock and he bought and sold many 
farms and at one time was the owner of a 
valuable farm of one thousand acres near 
Stateline. He was, too, in a limited de- 
gree engagetl in agricultural pursuits, hav- 
ing most of the work done upon the farm 
while his attention was devoted to the pur- 
chase and sale of stock and to his real estate 
interests. He continued his business until 
it had assumed mammoth proportions and 
then he decided to retire to private life, 
finding that his commercial afTairs made too 
heavy demands upon his time and strength. 
In 1865 he sold one farm for fifteen thou- 
sand dollars and removed to Danville. 
Later he sold another farm for twelve thou- 
sand dollars. In the city he purchased a 
lot adjoining the Temple on the north and 
erected a home. He afterward sold ten feet 
of his lot to the Temple. To a man of his 
enterprising nature, indolence and idle- 



ness were utterly fureign. It was impossi- 
ble for diim to entirely put aside business 
cares all at once and for a few years he 
engaged in shipping stock to a limited ex- 
tent. Gradually. ho\ve\'er, he ceased his ef- 
forts in this direction and then lix'ed retired 
until his death. He was a man of remarka- 
ble business sagacity and enterprise and car- 
ried forward to a .successful completion 
whatever he undertook. 

In i8..J3 occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Duncan and Miss Mary Caldwell, a native 
of Circleville, Ohio, born March 22, 1829, 
anil a daughter of James and Alary (Hoo- 
ver) Caldwell, both of whom were natives 
of Virginia, whaice they removed to Ohio 
and later they came to Vermilion county, 
Illinois, casting in their l(jt among the early 
settlers here. Her father was a farmer by 
occupation in his early days and subse- 
quently he 'engaged in speculating in land 
and in buying stock, his time and atten- 
tion being thus occupied until his death. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Duncan were born 
two children : Irwin, w ho was a clerk in 
a retail house in Danville, died June 20, 
1892. at the age of thirty-two years. Char- 
lie married Miss Emma Da}-, and resides 
on Lafayette street in Dan\ille. He is now 
a salesman in the Ike Sterns Clothing House 
of this city, where he has been employed for 
a number of years. 

Mr. Duncan was ne\'er an office seeker, 
although he held several minor offices in 
his township and for one winter he served 
on the L'nited .States jury at Springfield, 
Illinois. Although his father and seven 
brothers were Democrats, he was alwa^-s a 
stanch Repuljlican and never wavered in his 
allegiance to the party. He was a personal 
friend of Abraham Lincoln and it is said 
that in appearance they were much alike. 



442 



THE I'.IOORAl'lIICAL RECORD 



He had the Iionor of entertaining Mr. Lin- 
cohi several times in his own lionie and the 
friendly relations hetween them was main- 
tained nntil the President's death. Mr. 
Duncan held nienibershii) in the First 
Methodist Episcopal church of Danville 
and his widow still lielongs to that church. 
From an early da\' dependent upon his own 
resources, a splendid success in life was the 
result of his labor. His career proved that 
the only true success in life is that which 
is accomplished 1>_\' personal effort and con- 
secutive industry. It proves that the road 
to success is open to all young men who 
have the courage to tread its pathway, and 
the life record of such a man should serve 
as inspiration to the young of this and 
future generations, and teach by incontro- 
vertible facts that success is ambition's an- 
swer. Mr. Duncan passed away I'ebruary 
8. i8c)3. honored and respected by all who 
knew him and thus one more of the pioneers 
of Vermilion county joined the silent ma- 
jority. 

Mrs. Duncan is now residing at No. 129 
Franklin street. She is the owner of several 
hue residences in the northern part of the 
city. She expects soon to erect a beautiful 
home for herself here. She has a very wide 
circle of acr|uaintances and all who know 
her are her friends. gi\ing to her their warm 
regard in recognition of her manv excellent 
qualities of heart and mind. 



REV. SYLVESTER TTODGES. 

For twenty-three years Rev. Hodges de- 
voted his life to the ministry of the gospel 
and through long years he has been an active 
factor in business in Vermilion county. He 
has now passed the seventy-fourth milestone 



on life's journey. ha\ing been liorn in Rip- 
ley county, huliana. April 12. i82<S. his 
parents being William and Deborah (Creith) 
Hodges. The father was a farmer and also 
operated a sawmill. He died in the vear 
1S33. our subject being left fatherless at the 
early age of fi\e. In the family were se\en 
children. The mother long survived her 
husband and jjassed away in 1879. "'^ ^'^^ 
home of her son, Sylvester, in Catlin. Three 
children were left to mourn her loss, of 
whom our subject is the eldest. The others 
are: William A., of Mattoon. Illinois: and 
Benjamin F., of Danville. The deceased 
are: ^Irs. Malinda Peterman, Gabriel, 
Thrmson and Mrs. Margaret Tait. 

For a half day Rev. Sylvester Flodges 
was a student in a log schoolhouse. Later 
he took up his studies in a frame school- 
house but he never attended school for more 
tiian ft)ur months in his life altogether. He 
was reared u]5on a farm and at the age of 
eighteen years he left home and learned the 
blacksmith's trade, which he has followed for 
more than fifty-six years. He opened a 
shop in Riplev countv. Indiana, before he 
attained his majority and assisted in the 
support of his father's family. Emigrating 
to \'ermilion county. Illinois, he made the 
jniuMiey in a covered wagon through the 
l)lack swamps of Indiana. He had been 
married in the Hoosier state and he and 
his' brother, with their respective families. 
came to Illinois, camping out by the way at 
night. I-'or a few months oiu' sul)ject re- 
sided in Georgetown, then gave his atten- 
tion to farming for a time and afterward 
established a blacksmith shop east of Dan- 
ville, conducting the business for two and 
one-half years. On the 17th of July, 1861, 
he removed to Catlin and opened his shop 
in this place, conducting Ijusiness there for 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



443 



a number of years, liis good workmanship 
securing him a liberal patronage. In 1879 
he began preaching and was ordained as a 
minister the following year. At the present 
time he is not actively connected with the 
ministry save that he occasionally fills a 
pulpit in the absence of the regular pastor 
or preaches a funeral sermon. For twenty- 
three vears, howe\"er. he continued to labor 
in the ministry and throughout this time 
he also carried on work at his trade. Soon 
after he came to the county he was offered 
eighty acres of land near Tilton for three 
hundred dollars and in an early day he 
could have bought land at the Junction for 
six dollars. There was much wild prairie 
in Vermilion county over which the deer 
roamed and many vears passed before this 
was claimed and cultivated. 

On the 4th of November, 1847, ^^^'■ 
Hodges was united in marriage to Mary 
A. Tait, who was born June 18, 1829, a 
daughter of Benjamin and Sally (Tilton) 
Tait, natives of the Keystone state. Unto 
our subject and his wife have been born 
five children. Deborah is the wife of J. H. 
Harkly. of Oklahoma, and has two daugh- 
ters. Pearl and Maude Harkly. Calvin 
married Fannie Champion, a daughter of 
F. M. Champion, of Catlin, and has one 
child, Blanche. The deceased of the family 
are: Barnabus T., Malan H., and Mrs 
Lizzie Chamlierlin. 

Mr. Hodges has served as a member of 
the town council for several terms and was 
elected justice of the peace but never quali- 
fied. He was also a school director for 
some years and throughout the county he 
is well known. He retains his church mem- 
bership with the Christian church of Til- 
ton. He owns the property where his shop 
stands and also his comfortable resiflencc 



in the south part of Catlin. His residence 
here covers a very long period antedating 
the building of the Wabash Railroad. He 
saw Danville when there were but three 
dry goods stores in the town and the jail 
was an old log structtu'e. For the past 
twenty years he has voted the Prohibition 
ticket and the cause of temperance finds 
in him- a stalwart advocate, his aid and in- 
fluence having" ex'cr lieen given to any move- 
ment or measure which tends to promote 
general welfare or to uplift his fellow men. 



R. H. MATER. 



R. II. Plater, who is one of the best 
known contractors of Vermilion county, his 
extensive interests connecting him in a large 
measure with the substantial improvement 
of Danville and surrounding towns, wa: 
born in I'arke county, Indiana, February 20, 
1839. His parents were Daniel and Sarah 
(Sowers) Mater. The Mater family came 
originally from Germany and was estab- 
lished in ^Maryland whence representatives 
of the name removed to Ohio. In the latter 
state both the parents of our subject were 
born and married. In the maternal line 
Mrs. Mater is also of German lineage, her 
maternal grandparents having been born in 
the fatherland whence they emigrated to 
Ohio at an early day. Daniel Mater was 
a minister of the United Brethren church. 
About 1836 he removed to Indiana, settling 
five miles from Rockville and in that local- 
ity he lived until his death which occurred 
on the 15th of August, 1893, when he was 
eightv-three years of age. In his political 
views he was a Republican. Llis life was 
largely devoted to the work of uplifting hi; 



444 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



fclli)W men and in llic ministry he was a 
man of considerable inlluence. His wife 
passed away in 1849 and al)out eigliteen 
months later he was united in marriage to 
Elizabeth JMnncy. a nati\e of Annapolis, 
Parke county, Indiana. She was a daughter 
of a ]\Ir. Finney, of Maryland. By the first 
marriage there were five children, of win mi 
there are yet living: Josephine, the widow 
of S. F. Roberts, a resident of Hopkins, 
Missouri; R. H., of this review: and J. D., 
who resides in Morristown, Tennessee. By 
the second marriage of Rev. Mater there 
were born four children, all of whou' 
reached maturity and are yet living, namely : 
John R.. a resident of Danville, Illinois; 
Reiley, who is living in Ottawa, Illinois ; 
Mary, the wife of Lee Phillips, of Terre 
Haute, Indiana ; ;ind Hiram, who is living 
near Terre Haute. 

In the district schools R. H. Mater pur- 
sued his education and early became familiar 
with farm work in all of its departments, 
living upon his father's farm until twenty 
years of age. He learned the carpenter's 
trade in Parke county, Indiana, and has 
since been connected with building opera- 
tions. While living in that county on the 8th 
of August, 1 86 1, Mr. Mater was united in 
marriage to Miss Sarah Matticks, who was 
born in Parke county April 17, 1843, and 
was a d;uighter of Jesse Matticks, a native 
of Kentucky. Her mother l)ore the maiden 
naiue of Nancy Collins and she too was 
born in Kentucky but became the wife of 
Mr. Matticks in Indiana. The father of 
Mrs. Mater was a farmer and in 1863 rc- 
mo\'ed to Illinois, settling near Fairmount. 
where he lived until 1870, when he came to 
Danville and in this city he and his wife 
still make their home. In his political views 
he is a Rci)ublican and is a member of the 



Methodist F,])isciipal church. L'nto him 
and his wife were born five children, name- 
ly : Mrs. Mater; Mary, now wife of J. 
D. iVIater, of Xlorristown, Tennessee; An- 
na, the wife of R. Cass, of Danville; Phar- 
aba, the wife of S. P. Swisher, of Danville; 
and W. P., who resides at Ridgefarm, Illi- 
nois. The marriage of ^Ir. and Mrs. Mater 
has been blessed with four children, only 
two of whom are now living. Howard, the 
elder, married Cora Woods, and is a mer- 
chant tailor residing in Terre Haute, In- 
diana. He has three children, Mildred, Ben- 
jaiuin, and Robert. Lucy is the wife of 
A. 1\ Dague, of Danville, bookkeeper for 
the N. E. Holden Lumber Company, and 
the\- have two children, Byron and Mad- 
aline. 

In 1868 Mr. Mater removed to Terre 
Haute, Indiana, where he resided until the 
succeeding fall. In December of that year 
he came to Danville, where he has since en- 
gaged in carpentering and contracting. In 
the following July he built his present busi- 
ness block and admitted J. N. Lewis to a 
partnership. Mr. Mater has erected some 
of the best residences in this city. He also 
built the Martin block, the Illinois Printing 
Company building and has erected in every 
town in the county churches, schools, ele- 
\-ators and residences. In fact, he is one 
of the best known contractors of Vermilion 
county and his business has assumed ex- 
tensive proportions. Pie built the Jackson 
street school building of Danville and many 
other public structures here. His faithful- 
ness to the terms of a contract, his reliabil- 
ity and his excellent workmanship have 
been factors in his splendid success, winning 
him a substantial and growing patronage. 
In addition to his business he owns some 
valuable residence property in Danville, 




C. E. LORING. 




MRS. C. E. LORING. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



449 



having' made judicious investments in real 
estate. 

In liis political views 'Siv. ]\Iater is a 
Republican Prohibitionist, but the honors 
and emoluments of office have had no at- 
traction for liim and he has steadily re^ 
fused to become a candidate for political 
preferment. Pie is a member of the Royal 
Templars of Temperance and has iieen an 
Odd bellow. He is also a member of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian church, in which 
he has held office. His prosperity is largeh- 
due to his thorough mastery of the business 
in which as a young tradesman he em- 
barked. His persistency of purpose has also 
been an element in his success and through- 
out the years of his connection with build- 
ing operations in Danville he has main- 
tained a reputation for honesty and relia- 
bility that has made his word as good as 
his bond. 



ASBURY LORIXG. 

The history of the early growth anrl de- 
velopment of a county or state is always in- 
teresting to tliose who, witnessing to-day 
the advancement and prosperity of the same, 
are glad to give tribute to those whose 
labors have resulted in its accomplishment. 
To the pioneer settlers of Vermilion county, 
Illinois, 'is due all respect and honor, and 
none are more worthy of this than the Por- 
ing family. 

Daniel Poring, the grandfather of As- 
burv, spent his early life in Massachusetts 
and P'tica, New York. He wedded Miss 
Mary Ann Stone and to them were born 
four sons, but three died from yellow fever 
in childhood, at L'tica, Xew York, where 
they had previously mo\^ed, leaving C. E. 



the only survivor. His first wife dying in 
1815, Daniel Poring subsecpiently married 
Mary Steward, and in 1S23 they removed 
to Coal Creek. Indiana, whence they came 
to Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1834. the 
journey being made in a covered wagon con- 
structed from sawed logs fitted on axles. 
This was one of the most solid wagons ever 
brought to the county and the only one of 
its kind. The grandfather died in August, 
1862, at the age of eighty-one years. By 
his secoml union five children were born, 
but all are now deceased but the youngest 
daughter, ^Irs. J. C. Felix, who resides in 
Kansas. 

C. E. Poring, our subject's father, was 
born in Maine, December 4, 1808, and ac- 
companied his parents on their various re- 
mmels until finally becoming a resident of 
Vermilion county, Illinois. He received 
one hundred and fifty dollars from his 
mother's estate on attaining his majority, 
but in order to get this he was obliged to 
go east. He hired out as a hand on a flat- 
boat and in that way made the trip down 
the Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi rivers 
and thence by the Gulf and Atlantic to 
Boston, Massacliusetts. He returned by 
way of the Ohio river. With one hundred 
dollars of his money he purchased eighty 
acres of land from George French and wife, 
in 1833, it being a part of the farm on 
which our subject now lives and which at 
that time was all wild and unimproved. 
There was not even a rail upon the place. 
The country was then over-run with prai- 
rie woh'es and sloughs were on every hand. 
Nothing daunted, Mr. Poring in 1834 
began to break his land with a yoke of oxen 
which he had purchased with the remain- 
ing fifty dollars, and to otherwise improve 
his place. He livetl the first year with a fam- 



450 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ily named I^atterson. He worked early and 
late to accomplish what he had set out to do 
— acquire a good home. By capable man- 
agement and hard labor he became an exten- 
sive land owner, having in his possession 
five hundred and ninety-five acres of the 
richest farm land. Nearly all of this was 
under a high state of cultixation at the time 
of his death. His early life was that of a 
pioneer. He hauled grain to Chicago, La- 
fayette, .Attica and Covington, which were 
the nearest trading points. He was work- 
ing on the canal during the year of the 
"falling stars." Wiien he settled on the 
farm now owned by our subject, Chicago 
was a mere village and Danville had two 
small stores. On returning from Chicago 
on one of his trips he endeavored to swim 
his oxen across Sugar Creek, having a horse 
in the lead, but the horse could not pull 
them. However, a friend appeared on the 
scene anil with an ax broke tlie lock and 
they managed to get safely across, other- 
wise the oxen would have drowned. When 
C. E. Loring settled in Vermilion county 
wolves roamed over the prairie and hunt- 
ing w'as fine, deer, ducks, wild turkeys and 
prairie chickens being very plentiful. He 
saw- the towns and villages of the county 
spring into existence and as the years have 
passed they have grown and prospered, add- 
ing their quota to the general growth, ]3ros- 
perity and advancement of state and nation. 
In this w^ork of advancement he took an ac- 
tive part as an individual and a citizen of 
his comnuinity. 

C. E. Loring was united in marriage to 
Minerva J. Morton, a native of Ohio, born 
in January, 1826. She died September 23, 
1885, as the result of an accident. Their 
marriage took place in Vermilion county, 
Illinois, September 4, 1851, and they be- 



came the parents of eight children, three of 
whom died in infancy and one at the age 
of two and one-half years. The four liv- 
ing children arc: Matlie E.. the wife of 
Z. Starr, of Xewcll township, X'ermilion 
county: Asbury, the subject of this review, 
Olive A. Mills, now deceased; and h'rances, 
who now makes her home with her bmther, 
.\sl)ury, acting as his housekeeper. 

C. E. Loring suffered the misfortune of 
losing his sight in the 70s. He was at the 
time acting as school treasurer, which i)osi- 
tion he had filled for about sixteen years. 
He was about to resign an<l turn over the 
books to his successor when this occurred. 
He prepared the books, had everything ar- 
ranged and was about to resign when he 
noticed that his eye-sight had left him. He 
remained in this way for over thirty \ears. 
patiently bearing his aflliction, which did 
not, however, prevent him from taking an 
active interest in the management of his af- 
fairs. He formed his own plans and his 
son Asbury, of this re\'iew, helped to carry 
them out and to manage his large estate. 
He was a great lover of books and his loss 
of sight was therefore the more keenly felt. 
He bore the loss with furtitude, and his 
patience and kindness of manner endeared 
him to all who knew him. He was a prom- 
inent man of affairs in his community and 
his opinions carried weight with his fellow 
men. He was actively interested in educa- 
tional work and during his public service 
did much toward the material, moral and 
intellectual culture of the young. He helped 
to build the schools and churches of his 
community and was always deeply inter- 
ested in the general welfare. He was a 
Republican in his political views and cast 
his first presidential vote for William Henry 
Harrison in 1840. For sixty-five years he 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



451 



lived on the old homestead and his death 
there occurred January 12, 1899, when he 
was over ninety years of age. His mem- 
ory is held Sacred by many friends and rel- 
atives who regretted deeply his demise. 

Asburv Loring spent the days of his 
boyhood and youth upun the home farm, 
attending the district school during the 
winter term and working upon the farm 
with his father during the seasons of plow- 
ing, ]ilanting and har\-esting. He thus 
gained a practical knowledge of the occu- 
pation which has been his life work. He 
received a good education, attending school 
until he attained his majority and continu- 
ing" it for one year thereafter. He remained 
continuously upon the farm where he was 
born, assisting his father and receiving a 
share in the profits of their labor. All his 
life he has been an energeitc, thrifty and 
economical man. who has done much toward 
improving his farm and making it one of 
the richest and most productive in the 
county. He no\\- owns one hundred and 
sixty-eight and a half acres, twenty-six acres 
of which is timlier land. He has led a sober, 
industrious and quiet life, such as is led by 
our best American citizens", and in the rich 
fields of grain which are annually garnered 
on his farm he sees the result of his honest 
toil. 

The saddest e\-ent in the li\'es of him- 
self and sister was when they lost their dear 
mother through an accident. She was in a 
two-seated buggy with tvro of her daugh- 
ters, the buggy being driven by her son 
Asbury, on their way to the Danville Fair, 
when they encountered two horses that were 
racing. Mr. Loring tried to give them the 
road, but one of the horses ran into their 
vehicle, completely demolishing it. throwing 
out Mrs. Loring and the rest of the party. 



The accident occurred on the i8th of Sep- 
tember, 1S85, and she died fi\-e days later, 
September 23d, from the result of her in^ 
juries. Thus the family were left to moun. 
the loss of the faithful wife and mother. 
The brother and sister, Asbury and Frances 
Loring, now make their home together, on 
the old farm where they were born. Fran- 
ces was educated in the district schools and 
was eligible for graduation when she left 
school. She kept her father's books during 
his lifetime and helped to make him com- 
fortable in his declining years, which were 
made very happy, although bereft of his 
dear wife and his eyesight. His son As- 
bury has followed the principles and pre- 
cepts which he learned from his father and 
he stands to-day among the honored and 
influential residents of Newell township, re- 
spected by all who know him. 



THOMAS GONES. 



It is the enterprise and character of the 
citizen that enrich and ennoble the com- 
monwealth. From individual enterprise has 
sprung all the substantial improvements of 
this great west. The greatest merchants 
ha\'e developed from the humblest origin ; 
from clerkships have emerged men who 
have built up great enterprises. America 
is a self-made country and those who have 
achieved prominence as men of marked 
ability and substantial worth, as having cre- 
ated this prosperity and development, are 
self-made men. Among this number Dan- 
ville is proud to name George Gones. who 
occupies a prominent position. He is now 
extensively engaged in the furniture busi- 
ness here and is meeting with creditable 
success. 



45i 



THE BIOGRAFIIICAL RECORD 



Mr. (iiMies is a native of Clark county, 
Oliio, born September 23, 1847, and in 1854 
he was I^rouglit to \'ermilion county, Illi- 
nois, by his parents, who settled upon iand 
in Callin, where the son was reared. He has 
two brothers and three sisters: Mary Jane, 
the widow of Jacob Sandusky and her 
brother's partner in business ; Surene. the 
wife of Henry Bentley, who is living near 
Catlin; Joh.n \\'., wlio resides near Fair- 
mount; Charles H., of Dan\'ille, who is liv- 
ing with his brother Thomas: and Hannah, 
the wife of Milton Hodge, of Iowa. The 
])arents are bcjth deceased. The father fol- 
lowed farming throughout his entire life 
and died in the year T8S2, while his wife 
passed away in 1880. 

Thomas Cones was reared on the old 
family homestead in Catlin, which was then 
known as Butler's Point. There was bu' 
one house at a crossroads and no railroad 
had been built into the neighborhood. He 
jnirsued his education in the district school 
at Catlin and in the periods of vacation 
worked on the Imme farm with his father, 
continuing agricultural pursuits until after 
his marriage. Mr. Gones wedded Afary E. 
Morris, who was born and reared in Ohio. 
Her parents are now deceased and she died 
in 1884. her remains being interred in the 
Catlin cemetery. She left five chil<lrcn. of 
whom three are yet living: William mar- 
ried Anna Williams and resides in ]3an- 
ville; Charles B. married Anna Stickrod 
and is also living in this city: Mrs. Olin 
Whitefonl makes her home with her father 
in Danville; Arthur died at the age of nine- 
teen years and six mi^inths; and Cora, who 
became the wife of James Jones, died at 
the age of twenty-one years. 

After his marriage Mr. Gones carried 
on agricultural pursuits for some time. He 



rented land near Catlin until 189J, when 
he remo\ed. to this city and in connection 
with his brother, G. H. Gones, entered the 
furniture business, the firm existing as orig- 
inally formed until 1900, when C. H. Gones 
retired and was succeeded by his sister's 
son, C. L. Sandusky, who is now the part- 
ner of our subject. They deal exclusively 
in furniture and have a large and well se- 
lected stock of goods, including l)oth mod- 
ern and high priced goods. Their business 
is constantly growing and the house sus- 
tains an unassailable reputation for reliabil- 
ity. The home of our subject is at No. 712 
North Walnut street and he also owns prop- 
erty on Harmon avenue and Oak street 
His political support is gi\-en to the men 
rmd measures of the Republican party. So- 
cially he is identified with the Modern 
W'oodmen of America and he oelongs U 
Kimljer ^Methodist Episcoi)al church. 
'J'hrough his own exertions he has attained 
an honorable position and marked prestige 
among the successful business men of the 
city and it may be said with consistency thai 
he is the architect of his own fornunes and 
one whose success amply justifies the ap- 
plication of the somewhat hackneyed but 
most ex])ressi\'e title, "a self-made man." 



E. H. r^LMER. 

hew men are more iirominent or more 
widely known in the enterprising city of 
Danville than F.. H. Palmer. He has been 
and is an important factor in business cir- 
cles and his ixipularity is well deserved, as 
in him arc embraced the characteristics of 
an unbending integrity, unabating energ>- 
and industry that never fiags. He is public 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



455 



spirited and thoroughly interested in what- 
ever tends to promote the moral, intellect- 
ual and material welfare of the city. He 
was for many years the cashier of the First 
National Bank and for a long period has 
been identified with mercantile interests, be- 
ing at the present time a wholesale grocer 
of Danville. His success in all his under- 
takings has been so marked that his methods 
are of interest to the commercial world, and 
an analyzation of his life work shows that 
he has based his business principles and 
actions upon strict adherence to the rules 
which govern industry, economy and un- 
swerving integrity. 

Few native sons of Danville can claim 
a longer residence in the city that E. H. 
Palmer. His birth occurred in the family 
home at the corner of Walnut and Main 
streets, August lo, 1830. He is a son of 
Dr. Asa R. Palmer, a native of Connecti- 
cut, who was born at Coventry, in 1786. 
The grandfather, Abel Palmer, was born in 
New England and was of English ancestry. 
The family has become very numerous in 
this country and in 1880 the subject of this 
review attended a re-union held at Stoning- 
ton, Connecticut, at which about twelve 
hundred representatives of the family were 
present. Dr. Asa R. Palmer became a res- 
ident of Vermont and his boyhood days 
and later lived in the Black River country 
of New York. Subsequently he became a 
resident of Moscow, where his parents both 
died. While in the Empire state Dr. Pal- 
mer studied medicine and practiced there 
to some extent. He was three times mar- 
ried, being first married ere his removal 
from New York. His trip to Illinois was 
made on horseback in search of a location 
and he took up his abode here about 1825. 
This journey was made by boat to Pitts- 
burg, thence down the Ohio river and up 

IQ 



the Wabash river. Danville, or rather the 
site of the present city, was the place of his 
destination. For miles throughout the coun- 
try Dr. Palmer engaged in the practice of 
medicine, being one of the old time pioneer 
physicians, whose professional duties took 
him over a broad territory. Eventually, 
however, he gave up the practice of medi- 
cine and lived retired. In connection with 
his son, E. F. Palmer, he established the 
first drug store in Danville and was a lead- 
ing and influential resident of the city from 
the time that he came to Vermilion county 
until his death, which occurred about 1861. 
It was in this city that he married Adelia 
Hawkins, who was his third wife and the 
mother of our subject. She was born near 
Rochester, New York, and was a daugh- 
ter of Ebenezer Hawkins, also a native of 
the Empire state and one of the honored 
pioneers of Vermilion county. His inter- 
ment was the first burial in the old grave- 
yard of this city. Mrs. Palmer, the mother 
of our subject, died in 1851, and E. F. 
Palmer, the druggist, a half-brother of our 
subject, passed away here. Dr. Palmer was 
one of the original members of the Presby- 
terian church and aided materially in the 
upbuilding and progress of the town. 

E. H. Palmer, whose name introduces 
this record, was reared to manhood in Dan- 
ville, acquiring his elementary education 
here, while later he pursued a four years' 
course in Wabash College. He entered up- 
on his business career in the employ of J. 
M. Cubertson when a lad of thirteen years, 
and thus acted as a clerk for four years, 
after which he pursued his college course. 
When he had completed his studies he again 
engaged in clerking for a year or more and 
next entered into a business partnership, 
as a member of the firm of Humphrey, 
Palmer & Company, general merchants and 



456 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



druggists. This was about 1855 ^"^ since 
that time Mr. Pahner has been one of the 
active, influential and successful business 
men of this city. He was at one time ap- 
pointed to fill out an unexpired term as 
county superintaident of schools, succeed- 
ing his uncle, who had died in office. On 
the expiration of his term Mr. Palmer aided 
in organizing the First National Bank and 
became one of its stockholders. At that 
time he was also elected its cashier and oc- 
cupied the position continuously for twen- 
ty-six years, his efforts being a potent fac 
tor in establishing the institution on a safe 
financial basis. He was a i)opular official, 
always courteous and obliging, and he had 
a comprehensive knowledge of the banking 
business, which made him valuable in the 
control of the institution. On his retire- 
ment from the bank he was presented with 
a line gold watch, which bears his name and 
the date, January 15, 1885, engraved on the 
inside case, and of this token of esteem he 
is justly proud. On severing his active con- 
nection with the banking business he em- 
jjarkcil in the wholesale grocery trade, with 
which he is still connected. He has also 
contributed to the improvement of the city 
bv the building of three good residences 
here. He now has a large, substantial ami 
pleasant home just outside the corporation 
limits of Danville, while his other projierty 
he has sold. 

y\\\ Palmer was married in Urbana, Illi- 
nois, in 1854 to Frances B. Nelson, who 
was born near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, her 
father, William Nelson, also being a native 
of the Keystone state. He died during her 
girlhood atid she came to the west with her 
brother, locating in Champaign county, Illi- 
nois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have been 
born four children : Flora; Frank N., who is 
a minister of the Presbyterian church, now 



located in Dayton, Indiana ; Lula C. ; and 
Delia, the wife of Loren E. Shetts, who 
occupies a responsible position in the Pal- 
mer Wholesale Grocery Company. 

The father of our subject was a Whig 
in his political affiliations and a stanch Abo- 
litionist. He did everything in his power 
to oppose the growth of slavery, and when 
F. H. Palmer attained his majority he 
\dtc(l with the Repul)lican party, which 
was formed to prevent the fiu'ther ex- 
tension of slavery, his first presidential bal- 
lot being cast for John C. Fremont 
in 1856. He has since been iden- 
tified with the party. ne\er wavering in his 
allegiance. He served a few terms on the 
school board and has ever been a warm 
friend of the cause of education, believing 
in ha\ing competent teachers in charge of 
good schools, realizing that intellectual 
training is the bulwark of the nation. Mr. 
Palmer also served as alderman for a few 
terms but has otherwise never filled public 
office, having no ambition in this direction, 
lie and his wife belong to the b'irst Pres- 
byterian church. I'or seventy-two years he 
has resided in Danville and has watched 
almost its entire growth as it has ilevel- 
oped from a cross-roads village to one of 
the great cities of this state. He at one 
time knew every man, woman and child in 
\'ermilion countv and to this day not to 
know E. H. Palmer is to argue one's self 
unknown in Danville. Although he has 
passed the allotted psalmist's span of three 
score years and ten he is yet an active factor 
in the business workl. Old age does not 
necessarily suggest helplessness or want of 
occupation. There is an old age which 
grows stronger and better with the passing 
years and gives freely out of its rich stores 
of learning and experience, thus proving a 
benediction to all — such has been the career 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



457 



of E. H. Palmer, whose sterling manliood, 
unfailing honor and Christian principles 
have made his life an example one well 
worthy of emulation. 



H. H. PAINTER. 



H. H. Painter is one of the oldest har- 
ness manufacturers of Vermilion county, 
having been connected with the business 
through a continuous period of twenty-two 
years. Since 1882 he has engaged in busi- 
ness on his own account in Fairmount, and 
a liberal patronage has been accorded him. 
He was born in Zanesville, Ohio, June icf, 
1844, and is a daughter of George and 
Sarah (Mills) Painter. The father was 
born in Pennsylvania, and the mother in 
Virginia, but they were married in the 
Buckeye state, and there lived for many 
years. Mr. Painter carried on farming in 
Ohio until 1833, when he removed to ^lon- 
ticello, Illinois, his wife having died in 
Ohio in 1850. He then lived upon a farm at 
Monticello until 1855, when he. too, was 
called to his final rest. In his political views 
he was a Whig. The family of this worthy 
couple numbered ten children, of whom H. 
H. Painter is the youngest. Two sister? 
and tliree brothers are now living, namely : 
Harrison, who is engaged in the li\'ery busi- 
ness in Attica, Indiana; Emily, the wife of 
Andrew C. Varner, a farmer of Monticello. 
Illinois ; Eliza, the widow of William Dick- 
son, and a resident of Charleston, Illinois ; 
George W., who is living retired in At- 
tica, Indiana ; and J. M., who resides in St. 
Joseph, Missouri. 

H. H. Painter began his education in 
the Bush Row school in Greene countv. 



Ohio, the little temple of learning being a 
log building, and his brother-in-law, A. C. 
\'arner, was the teacher. His educational 
privileges, however, were somewhat limited 
and he never attended school after he was 
seventeen years of age. In early life he 
began work on his father's farm and con- 
tinued to engage in the labor of held and 
meadow until 1862, when thinking that he 
would find some other pursuit more con- 
genial he began learning the harness ma- 
ker's trade under the direction of Theodore 
Swagert, who now resides in Newman, Illi- 
nois. After serving a three years' appren- 
ticeship Mr. Painter worked as a journey- 
man harnessmaker for three years. He was 
employed in various states and in 1S80 he 
came to Vermilion county, Illinois, enter- 
ing the employ of F. Kehoe, of Danville, 
\\-ith whom he remained for two years 
Later he was in the service of B. F. Daugh- 
erty and then returned to Mr. Kehoe, who 
in the meantime had removed to Fair- 
mount. In i88j he purchased his employ 
er's business, which he has since conducted 
with good success. His expert workman 
ship, his thorough understanding of the 
trade, his earnest desire to please his pat- 
rons and his reasonable prices have been 
qualities which have insured him a success- 
ful career. 

In May, 1882, in Fairmount, IlHnois, 
the Rev. Crawford performed the wedding 
ceremony which united the destinies of H. 
H. Painter and Lizzie L. Love, who was 
born in Danville. Illinois, in 1839, a daugh- 
ter of William and Lizzie (Gish) Love 
whose liirth occurred in Bedford county, 
Virginia. They were married in the Old 
Dominion and removed to Illinois at an 
early day, settling in Danville. There the 
father engaged in brick-making for a time 



458 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



but afterward removed to a farm near Cat- 
lin, where he spent his last days. His wife 
has also passed away. In their family were 
four daughters and a son : Sarah, now the 
deceased wife of John Church, who resides 
near Catlin ; Hannah, who is now the widow 
of Frank Keeney and makes her home in 
Winfield, Kansas; Wallace, a resident of 
Catlin; Amanda, the wife of Aaron Tid- 
row, who is residing in Georgetown, llli- 
onis; and Mrs. Painter. 

In his political affiliations Mr. Painter 
is a stalwart Republican, and he belongs to 
Fairmount Lodge, No. 591, F. & A. M., 
and to Normandy Lodge, No. 510, K. P. 
He also holds membership relations with 
Catlin Post, No. 791, G. A. R. He is en- 
titled to this because of his military service 
which began in 1864, although he was un- 
der military age. He enlisted in Company 
B, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Indiana 
Infantry, under command of Captain Lu- 
cas and Colonel William Nelson, serving 
for six months, after which he received an 
honorable discharge at Indianapolis in Sep- 
tember, 1864. Mr. Painter is now serving 
as collector for the Twin City Building & 
Loan Association, of Champaign, Illinois, 
and he has a most successful business in 
Fairmount as a harness-maker. He is a 
courteous and pleasant gentleman — one 
whom it is a pleasure to meet, and as a rep- 
resentative citizen of Fairmount he well de- 
serves mention in this volume. 



JOHN FRAZIER, Sr. 

This well known and prominent citizen 
of Georgetown is one of the typical busi- 
ness men of the west — prompt, energetic 
and reliable, to which elements in his char- 



acter he owes his success in life. He was 
born in Georgetown on the 13th of May, 
1850, and is a son of Abner and Mary 
(Millickan) Frazier, the former a native of 
Newmarket, Tennessee, and the latter of 
Indiana, her parents having removed to that 
state from near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
at an early day. It was about seventy years 
ago that Abner Frazier came to Vermilion 
county and located in Georgetown, where 
he embarked in general merchandising and 
continued to carry on that business for many 
years. He was thus engaged at the time 
of his death when well advanced in years. 
In his family were eight children, all of 
whom are now living and are married. 
Those residing in this county are Perry, 
Mrs. James Snapp ; Mrs. Sophia Newlin and 
John, while Mrs. John Rodgers and Mrs. 
Dr. Mendenhall live in Lacygne, Kansas ; 
and Mrs. W. E. Moore makes her home in 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, her husband be- 
ing a leading real estate dealer of that place. 
On attaining his majority Mr. Frazier 
of this review began his business life as a 
clerk in his father's store in Georgetown, 
in which capacity he served for about two 
years and then entered into partnership with 
his father and brother William, under the 
firm name of Frazier & Sons, which con- 
nection continued for about fourteen years. 
At the end of that time our subject sold his 
interest in the store to his brother and pur- 
chased an improved farm three and one-half 
miles northwest of Georgetown, which he 
rents on the shares, taking his pay in grain. 
This he believes is for the best interest of 
his tenant, lor in case that the crops are a 
failure the owner then bears his rightful 
share of the burden, instead of renting for 
cash and securing notes and mortgages as 
his pav. The farm is kept in first class con- 




ABNER FRAZIER. 




JOHN FRAZIER, SR. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



463 



dition, is well tiled and supplied with good 
buildings. Since selling his interest in the 
mercantile business Mr. Frazier has en- 
gaged in buying, feeding and shipping cat- 
tle, hogs and sheep, and handles a large 
amount of stock each year. To this business 
he has now devoted his attention for twenty 
years and is to-day at the head of his line 
of trade in the eastern part of the county. 
Besides his farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres on section 24, Georgetown township, 
Mr. Frazier owns two lots fronting on Mill 
street and two on Walnut street, George- 
town, on one of which he has erected a 
nice four-room cottage. His own home is 
a neat and commodious residence on Main 
street, where he has one and a half acres 
of land laid off into beautiful grounds. It 
has all modern conveniences which the place 
affords, including telephone connection, 
while the Dan\-ille electric car line passes 
the door. 

On the 1st of September, 1881, Mr. 
Frazier was united in marriage to Miss 
Laura Richmond, a daughter of Samuel and 
Susan (Bolton) Richmond. Her father, 
who was a native of Hamilton, Hamilton 
county, Ohio, died in Parke county, Indi- 
ana, when Mrs. Frazier was only fifteen 
months old, and her mother, who was born 
in Kentucky, has, also passed away. She 
had two brothers, both of whom are now 
deceased. Mrs. Frazier received a good 
academic education and prior to her mar- 
riage taught school in Georgetown for three 
years -with marked success. She is now an 
active member of the school board of that 
city and has served on several important 
committees, among them the building and 
supply committee. Religiously she is con- 
nected with the Methodist church, is active 
in all its lines of work, and is now secretary 
of the Ladies' Foreign Missionarv Societv. 



She presides with gracious dignity over her 
home, where hospitality reigns supreme. 

In politics Mr. Frazier is a Republican 
but has never cared for political honors, 
having se\-eral times been proffered offices 
which he would not accept, though he once 
served as town trustee. At another time 
he was elected justice of the peace but re- 
fused to qualify, preferring to give his un- 
divided attention to his extensive business 
interests. He is a man of excellent business 
and executive ability, whose sound judg- 
ment, unflagging enterprise and capable 
management have brought to him a well 
merited success. In manner he is pleasant 
and cordial, which, combined with his ster- 
ling worth, makes him one of the popular 
citizens of the community. 



WILLIAM A. LOTTMAN, M. D. 

In taking up the personal history of Dr. 
William A. Lottman we present to our 
readers the life record of one whose promi- 
nence in his profession has come as a direct 
result of merit, comprehensive knowledge 
and skill. He was born in Franklin county, 
Missouri, March 27, 1871, a son of Frank 
and Minnie (Berman) Lottman. The 
father was born in Pennsylvania, the mother 
in St. Louis, Missouri, and they were mar- 
ried in Franklin county of the latter state, 
where they still make their home, Mr. Lott- 
man devoting his attention to farming. He 
is a Republican in his political views. Three 
children were born unto this worthy couple, 
the Doctor being the eldest. The others are : 
Carrie, the wife of August Myer, a resi- 
dent of Shotwell, Franklin county, Mis- 
souri ; and Fred, who is with his parents. 

The Doctor began his education in 
Beaufort, Franklin county, Missouri, and 



464 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



afterward attended liigh schuol in Wash- 
ington, tliat state. Subsequently he became 
a student in tlic University of Kentucky, at 
Lexington, and was tliere graduated. In 
the meantime, however, he had engaged in 
teaching for two years in his native state. 
After his graduation in tlie Kentucky Uni- 
versity lie entered the ChiHicothe, Missouri, 
Normal School, where he was graduated in 
the spring of 1892. He then taught school 
and was appointed superintendent of the 
schools of Exeter, Berry county, Missouri, 
where he remained for a year. He was then 
elected assi-stant superintendent of the i)ub- 
lic schools at Seguin, Texas, where he 
spent two years. During all of this time, 
however, he was reading medicine jjrepara- 
tory to entering u])on his professional ca- 
reer as a member o.f the medical fraternity. 
He further continued his preparation by be- 
coming a student in the Medical University 
of Texas, at Galveston. He then located 
in Mason, Texas, where he practiced for 
three years, after which he removed to St. 
]-ouis, and matriculated in the College o; 
Physicians and Surgeons at that place, be- 
ing graduated on the 7th of April, 1902. 
After passing a severe examination before 
the Illinois and Missouri Medical Board, 
he located in Oakwood, where he is now 
living. Well equipped for liis professional 
duties, he has manifested marked ability 
in handling many important cases and the 
pulilic has great confidence in his superior 
skill. 

On the 1 8th of July, 1894, in Danville, 
Dr. Lottman was married to Miss Jennie 
Glick, who was born near Georgetown, in 
Vermilion county, August 9, 1871, a daugh- 
ter of Aaron and Catherine (Goodner) 
Glick, the former a native of Indiana, while 
the latter was born in Vermilion county, Illi- 



nois, near where the Fairview church now 
stands. Their marriage was celebrated at 
tdennan. this, county, and to provide for hi^ 
family the father has always carried on ag- 
ricultural pursuits, his present home being 
near Sullivan, Indiana. Unto him and his 
wife were born four children: Jennie, now 
Mrs. Lottman ; George, who married Ora 
Coe, and resides at Sullivan, Indiana; Floy 
and h'rancis, both with their parents. Mr. 
(jlick is an earnest advocate of the Democ- 
racy and is a member of the Presbyterian 
church. 

Dr. Lottman is cimnccted with the 
Woodmen of the World, the Modern 
Woodmen of America and the Sons of Her- 
man. He is a Republican, strong in sup- 
port of the parly, l)ut has no time nor 
desire to seek public office. He holds mem- 
bership relations with the National, the 
State and the County Medical Associations. 
and is medical examiner for the New York 
Life Insurance Company, the Mutual Life 
Insurance Company, of New York.' the 
Equitable Life of New York, the Modern 
Woodmen. Woodmen of the World, and 
other organizations. He also holds a spe- 
cial diploma in railroad surgery. He is widely 
regarded as a growing man in his profes- 
sion. Already he has attained success and 
gained a reputation which many an older 
man might well envy. His equipment was 
unusually good and in the exercise of his 
professional duties he manifests strict re- 
gard for the ethics of the profession. 



I 



A. T. LEITZBACH. M. D. 



Since 1887 Dr. A. J. Leitzbach has been 
engaged in the practice of medicine and sur- 
gery in Fairmoimt, and his professional 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



465 



skill has won recognition in a liberal ant! 
constantly growing patronage. He was 
born in Robertsville, Connecticut. August 
3, 1862, and is a son of Nicholas and Eliza- 
beth (Eslinger) Leitzbach. both of whom 
were natives of Germany. They were mar- 
ried, howe\'er, in Winsted, Connecticut, and 
in the east the father followed his trade of 
cabinetmaking for many years. In the 
spring of 1887 he removed to Humboldt, 
Kansas, where he was engaged in the man- 
ufacture of furniture in connection with his 
son. His wife died there in 1891. He con- 
tinued a resident of Humboldt until 1901, 
when he removed to Ottawa, Kansas, where 
he is now living retired. His political alle- 
giance is given the Democracy. Three chil- 
dren, all of whom are yet living, were born 
unto Mr. and Mrs. Leitzbach : Anna L. is 
the widow of Rev. Clinton L. Wood and 
a resident of Ottawa, Kansas, and has two 
sons. The Doctor is the second in order 
of birth. Edward H. is a resident of Hum- 
boldt.' Kansas, where he is engaged in the 
furniture business. 

Dr. Leitzbach began his education in 
his native town, later becoming a student in 
the public schools of Riverton, Connecti- 
cut. Afterward he attentled the State Nor- 
mal School at New Britain, Connecticut, 
where he was graduated with the class of 
1882. After teaching a term of twenty 
weeks in the country he was then appointed 
principal of the school at Riverton, which 
position he held until he entered medical 
college. He began his reading in the office 
and under the direction of Dr. Bidwell, of 
Winsted, Connecticut, and later entered 
Belle\'ue Hospital Medical College, where. 
on the completion of a three years' course, 
he was graduated in 1887. After visiting 
several .states he came to Fairmount. Illi- 



nois, in the fall of 1887 and has practiced 
here continuously since, his efforts being 
attended with a high degree of success. He 
is a member of the Vermilion County Medi- 
cal Association and is now serving on the 
medical staff of the Vermilion County Hos- 
pital. He is likewise examiner for a large 
number of insurance companies. His pri- 
\-ate practice is also extensive and the public 
have firm faith in the ability of Dr. Leitz- 
bach because his skill has so often been man- 
ifest in the skillfid conduct of importan 
cases. 

On the 28th of December, 1893, near 
Fairmount, the Doctor was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Clara K. Dougherty, who was ' 
bom in this place, August 25, 1869, and is 
a daughter of James M. and Sarepta (Tay- 
lor) Dougherty, the former a native of Rip- 
ley, Ohio, and the latter of Romnev, In- 
diana. Her parents were married near Cat- 
lin, and the father engaged in farming in 
this county until 1876, when he removed 
to Danville and erected the Arlington Ho- 
tel. He then returned to his farm and there 
died January 15, 1889, his remains beinr.^ '■ 
interred in the Dougherty cemetery. He 
was a memlier of the Cumberland Presby- 
terian church and his strong temperance 
principles were embodied in the political 
support which he gave to the Prohibition 
party. Mrs. Leitzbach is one of a family 
of six children, four of whom are now liv- 
ing, namely : Emma, the wife of H. J. 
Sterns, who resides upon a farm at Man- 
son, Iowa, and has one son; Eva F., the 
wife of William T. Pankey, a lawyer and 
abstract and loan agent of Danville; Maud, 
who resides at home with her mother; and 
Mrs. Leitzbach. The marriage of the Doc- 
tor and his wife has been blessed with one 
daughter, Elizabeth, born June 16, 1896. 



466 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



111 his political views the Doctor is ai 

earnest Democrat, and for one term he 

served as supervisor of Vance towiiship. 

Socially he is connected with the Modern 

"W'oodnien Camp of Fairmount, which he 

organized. He owns real estate interests 

in this place, including one of the finest 

homes in the city. A pleasant, genial and 

courteous gentleman, he is widely known 

here and hoth he and his wife have a largt 

circle of warm friends. They are memhers 

of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, in 

which the Doctor has held office for several 

years. 

♦-•-♦ 

CHARLES MORAN. 

Charles Moran, now deceased, was one 
of the pioneer business men and leading cit- 
izens of Danville for many years, having 
located here in 1852. He was a native of 
Ireland, born in County Antrim in 1826, 
and was a son of John Aloran, \Vho spent 
his entire life upon the Emerald Isle, our 
subject being the only one of the family 
to come to the new world. He landed in 
New York city in 1848, and after spending 
a short time in the eastern metrii]jolis went 
to Mount Vernon, New York, where he 
worked at his trade, laying the first stone 
for many of the stone buildings of that 
place. 

On leaving Mount Vernon in 1852 Mr. 
Moran came to Danville. Illinois, though 
the site of the city at that time was cov- 
ered with timber and gave little promise of 
its present flourishing condition. He se- 
lected a home near the old I'air Grounds 
and became closely identified with the up- 
building and development of the place as 
a stone mason and contractor. In partner- 
ship with Mr. McCormick. he erected the 
first stone buildings in the city and built 



the old stone jail which was then located 
on the public square. As a contractor he 
was connected with the Big Four Railroad 
Company at Danville, doing all their stone 
work, such as curbing, etc., and he also su- 
perintended the stone work on all the 
bridges of Danville and many of the old 
and fine residences that are still standing. 

On November 18, 1855, Mr. Moran was 
united in marriage to Miss Catherine 
O'Connor, who was born in Londonderry, 
Ireland, on the I9tli of h^ebruary, 1835. ^^^ 
father. Charles O'Connor, was a bookkeeper 
by occupation and followed that pursuit in 
Ireland throughout the greater part of his 
life, but his last days were spent with his 
children in this country. On first coming 
to America he spent a short time in New 
York city, then came to Danville, Illinois, 
and from here went to St. Louis, Missouri, 
where he died at the home of one of his 
children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Moran were 
Ijoni eleven children, five of whom are still 
living, namely : Eliza and Mollie, both at 
home; Ruth, who is a telegraph operator in 
Danville; Catheriiie, who is married and re- 
sides in Chicago; and Helen, a teacher of 
Chicago. Other children died in infancy. 

Mr. Moran continued to work at his 
trade in Danville throughout life but was 
also interested in other business enterprises, 
opening a retail grocery store in 1873 and 
conducting it for several years. He was 
also intereste<l in the coal business, owning 
and operating a mine at Grape Creek, this 
county, and in all his undertakings he met 
with deserved success, being a man of un- 
tiring industry and sound business judg- 
ment. The nice residence which his widow 
still occupies at No. 309 Jackson street, was 
erected by him, and having prospered in 
business afifairs he was able to leave his fam- 
ih- in comfnrtablc circumstances. 




CHARLES MOBAN. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



469 



Mr. Moran was unwavering in his sup- 
port of the Democratic party, but was a 
friend of Abraham Lincohi, and was never 
an office seeker. He was a devout member 
of the CatlioHc church, to which his family 
also belong, and the first meeting for the 
purpose of making arrangements to erect a 
house of worship at this place was held at 
his home and tiiere they raised the first 
money for that purpose. Upright and hon- 
orable in all his relations of life he com- 
manded the respect and confidence of those 
with whom he came in contact, and in his 
death the community realized that it had 
lost one of its best citizens. He passed away 
on the I2th of August, 1901. His family 
is quite prominent socially, their circle of 
friends being extensive. 



CHARLES T. PUTMAN. 

The commercial and industrial activity 
of Hoopeston finds a worthy representative 
in C. T. Putnam, a man of enterprise and 
energy whose success in business is credit- 
able and demonstrates the possibilities which 
are before all young men who have the 
will to dare and to do, and who base their 
business affairs upon strict adherence to 
business ethics. Mr. Putman was born 
near Attica, Indiana, April 22, 1858. His 
parents, Zachariah and Mary Ann (Wit- 
mer) Putman, have both passed away. They 
were natives of Ohio and the father was a 
farmer by occupation. In their family were 
ten children, seven of whom are yet living: 
David C. ; Hettie V., the wife of L. J. Har- 
ker, of Winfield, Kansas; Mrs. Jonas Rush, 
of Milford, Illinois; George B., of Hoope- 
ston; Charles T., of this review; Mrs. Car- 



rie B. Hernden, of Winfield, Kansas ; and 
Edward C, who is also living in Winfield. 
When a little lad of five years Charles 
T. Putman went with his parents to a farm 
in Bean creek settlement eight miles south- 
west of Rossville, Vermilion county, and 
there he was reared until fifteen years of 
age, when the family removed into the 
town, after which he enjoyed the* advant- 
ages of schooling there. At the age of 
seventeen years he entered a railroad office 
to learn telegrapliy, and later he went to 
Remington, Indiana, entering the office of 
the Pan-Handle Railroad at that place. He 
secured a position on the Chicago & Eastern 
Illinois Railroad, at Beecher, Illinois, at 
night work, acting as operator. He remained 
as agent for that road for sixteen years and 
during the last nine years of the time was 
its representative at Hoopeston. During 
that period he acquired an interest in a lum- 
ber business here, becoming a member of 
the firm of T. B. Tennery & Company. His 
partnership in this continued until 1892. 
when he severed his connection with rail- 
road interests and also sold his interest in 
the firm of Tennery & Company. At that 
time he purchased the W. R. Wilson lum- 
ber yard, which he conducted sucessfully 
for nine years, during which time he was 
also associated with the Enterprise Canning 
Company. He further extended the scope 
of his labors by purchasing a marble busi- 
ness and in 1900 he sold his lumber business 
and planing-mill 'nterests and since that 
time has devoted his attention to the con- 
duct of the granite and marble works of 
Hoopeston, with the result that his efi^orts 
have been attended with A^ery gratifying- 
success. He employs expert workmen in 
handling the marbles and his trade has con- 
tinually increased, owing to his careful su- 



470 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



pervision, his straightforward business deal- 
ings and his earnest desire to please his cus- 
tomers. 

Mr. I'utnian was married jn Boswell, 
Indiana, on the 28th of October, 1878, h 
Miss Ella Ammerman, but she died on the 
15th of November, 1879, while they were 
residing in Chicago, Mr. Putman being at 
that time dispatcher and clerk in the yards 
of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, 
of that city. There was one child by this 
marriage, Gertrude Belle, who was born 
October 27, 1879, and is now the wife of 
Russell I'nllett. of Hoopeston, by whom she 
has one child. On the 20th of January, 
1881, in this city, Mr. Putman was again 
married, his second union being with Molly 
E. Myers, a native of State Cine, Indiana, 
born on the 7th of January, 1862. Her 
father, Adam Myers, died in Hoopeston in 
1902. He was a bridge superintendent on 
the \\'ab;ish R.'iilroad for several years, and 
later on the Lake Erie & W^estcrn road, and 
maintained his residence in this town. His 
wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Schael- 
fer. and is now living with our subject, h^ 
their family were four children, three of 
whom sur\-i\-c, as follows: yi. V., who is 
bridge superintendent of the Kansas City. 
St. Joseph & Council P>!uffs Railroad, at 
St. Joseph, ^Missouri ; H. C, who is a farm- 
er: and Mrs. Putman. The marriage of 
our subject and his wife has been blessed 
by an interesting little daughter, Lila Mae, 
born August 20, jS86. 

The parents hold membcrslii]) in the 
Methodist Episcopal church, n( which i\lr. 
Putman is serving as trustee. He votes 
with the Republican party and at one time 
was alderman and city treasurer. He is 
the present chairman of the cemetery com- 
mittee and he has taken little part in politi- 



cal work, preferring to devote his time and 
energies to the marble and granite business. 
I'raternally he is connected with Star 
Lodge, No. 709, E. & A. M., and with the 
IModern Woodmen of America, No. 207. 

His home is on South Market street and 
he owns other real estate in Hoopeston val- 
ued at twenty thousand dollars. In busi- 
ness he has achieved success thnuigh hon- 
orable effdrt, untiring industry and capable 
management. He has been watchful of his 
interests, careful in controlling his affairs, 
and in his actions has been guided by sound 
judgment which has come as the result of 
mature rejection. He has, moreover, a name 
which is above reproach, because of his al- 
legiance to honorable business principles, 
his integrity standing as an un(iuestioned 
fact in his career. 



FRANK S.\NFORD. 

The pre-eminence of Drmville is due not 
only to the men of light and learning who 
controlled her affairs in the early days, but 
even more to those men whom she is con- 
stantly attracting from other cities. In 1897 
Frank Sanford removed to this place, en- 
larging the scope of his business activities, 
and to-day is numbered among the fore- 
most merchants of the city, controlling an 
extensive furniture trade which because of 
its extent is bringing to his an excellent 
profit. It is a well known fact that the 
greatest merchants of ow country ha\-e de- 
veloped from the humblest origins and from 
clerkships have emerged men who have 
built up great enterprises. Mr. Sanford had 
no especial advantages in his youth, in fact, 
he depended upon his own resources from 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



471 



tlie time wlien lie completed his educatioii 
and left the public schools. 

He was born in Ionia, Michigan, Xo- 
vember, 30, 1861, and is a son of J. B. and 
Maria (Yeomans) Sanford, both of whom 
were natives of Connecticut. Becoming 
residaits of Galena, Illinois, having resided 
in Michigan for a time, "Sir. Sanford there 
estal.ilished a dry goods business, which he 
conducted for five years. He next openeil 
a drv goods store in Chicago, where he 
remained for three rears and then returned 
with his family to Ionia, Michigan. Later 
he resided in St. Louis, Michigan, and there 
died in 1893. His widow still survives him 
and is yet li\-ing in St. Louis. Mr. San- 
ford was a Republican in his political views 
and was a member of the Episcopal church, 
honored and respected by his fellow men 
for his excellent traits of character. In his 
family were nine children: Edward, \\\v 
married and died in Ionia, Michigan; Mar- 
ian, who is living in Denver, Colorado ; 
Herbert, a locc/)moti\e engineer located in 
Grand Rapids, Michigan; Willard, a con- 
tractor and builder residing in Springfield, 
Illinois ; George, who has mining interests 
at Chattanooga, Tennessee ; Frank, of this 
review; Adelaide, the wife of Fred W. 
Hughes, of Mecosta, Michigan; Frances 
E., the wife of John Burns, of St. Louis. 
Michigan; and S. B., who is a locomotive 
engineer living in Decatur, Illinois. 

In his native city Frank Sanford pursued 
his education, putting aside his text books 
at about the age of twenty-two years. He 
also engaged in teaching school in Ionia, 
Michigan, for two years. In connection 
with his brother he established an agency for 
a wringer and washer in Indiana and Illi- 
nois, traveling in the interest of that busi- 
ness for two years. He then formed a part- 



nership with C. E. Akers. at Decatur, Illi- 
nois, in the installment business and with 
this beginning he built up a large trade as 
a dealer in furniture. In 1897 ^''^ ^o^d his 
business to his partner and came to Dan 
ville, where he opened a store at No. 40 
Jackson street. His business steadily in- 
creased until he had three rooms completely 
tilled with a large and well selected stock 
of furniture. In 1901 the Edwards busi- 
ness block was erected especially for his 
use and he now occupies that new and mod- 
ern structure. In 1898 his sister, Mrs. Mar- 
ian Hobbs, a widow residing in Denver, 
Colorado, became his partner. In the con- 
duct of his afTairs Mr. Sanford has been 
energetic, enterprising and determined. His 
larg-e stock of furniture now occupies three 
floors and a basement, and he also has a 
large ware-rooiu in another part of the city. 
He has throughly studied the trade so that 
he undestands the wishes of the public and 
his labors have brought to him a substantial 
financial return. He is also a partner in 
the Frank Sanford & Company furniture 
store in Springfield, Illinois, and another 
store conducted under the same name at 
Westville. Illinois. It will thus be seen that 
he is a leading representative of the furni- 
ture trade of the state and his establishment 
in Dan\-ille is headquarters for all novel- 
ties as well as articles of a utilitarian char- 
acter. He carries goods of all grades, in- 
cluding some of the finest manufactured, 
and he receives his patronage from a good 
class of citizens. 

In November, 1887, in Ionia, Michigan, 
Mr. Sanford was united in marriage to Miss 
Ida Terry, who was born in Ionia, August 
20, 1864, a daughter of John Terry, who 
is a native of New Jersey and is a fruit 
gardener. Both he and his wife are still 



472 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



living. In their family are four children : 
Samuel, who resides in Alden, Michigan; 
Myra, the wife of Samuel Arntz, of Ionia, 
Michigan; Ida, the wife of our subject; 
and Elizabeth, the wife of Charles Jack, 
who is living in Ionia. The home of Mr. 
and Mrs. Sanford has been blessed with 
four children: Myrtle M., Otto F.. Ade- 
laide and Frances. 

In his political affiliations Mr. Sanford 
is a Republican. Fraternally he is connect- 
ed with Olive Branch Lodge, No. 184, F. 
& A. M.. having been made a Mason i;i 
Danville in June, 1901. He is also a mem- 
ber of the Danville Lodge of Elks, the Mod- 
ern Woodmen of America, and is a ruler of 
the Royal Circle Lodge of Danville, to 
wliicli his wife also belongs. She is like- 
wise a member of the Women's Club of 
this city and both Mr. and Mrs. Sanford 
hold membership in the Methodist Episco- 
I)al church. Although they ha\-e resided 
liere Init for a brief period they are wel! 
known and the hospitality of the best homes 
of the city is extended to them. 



HENRY SMITH. 



For many years this gentleman was a 
worthy citizen of Danville and he was also 
classed among the honored pioneers of the 
county, having come here in 1834 when the 
greater part of this region was still wild 
and undeveloped. He was born in Oxford- 
shire, England, on the 20th of November. 
1806, and was a son of Thomas and Sarah 
(Fletcher) Smith, who were also natives 
of that country. After the emigration of 
our subject and his wife to the new world 
his father joined them in this country but 
died a vear later. 



In his native land Henry Smith was 
reared and educated no event of special im- 
portance occurring during his boyhood and 
youth. Before lea\'ing England he was 
married in 1834 to Miss Jane Jordan Stew- 
art, who also claimed that country as her 
birthplace. Of the eleven children born of 
this union three died in infancy, the others 
being as follows : John, now deceased ; 
William, who is living retired in Danville; 
Edwin, deceased ; Sarah, deceased wife of 
Charles Coten and a resident of Danville; 
Frank, deceased; Alary, wife of Robert 
Stevens, of Danville; and Fannie J. and 
.Lucy, who are li\ing at the old homestead 
in the same city. 

Not long after their marriage Mr. and 
Mrs. Siuith sailed for America, and on land- 
ing in New York city made their way direct 
to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was engaged 
in buying stock for two or three years. In 
1838 he came to Vermilion county, Illinois, 
and first located on a farm near the village 
of Potomac, where he was engaged in farm- 
ing until 1845. He then removed to Dan- 
ville and opened the first meat market at 
this place, being engaged in business here 
until 1867, when he sold his shop and en- 
gaged in farming in Danville township near 
the village of Tilton. There he carried on 
agricultural pursuits until 1880, when he 
rented that jilacc and returned to Danville, 
where he lixed a retired life until his death, 
which occurred in 1S98, when ninety-one 
\ears of age. His wife passed away on the 
14th of Noveml)er, 1900. With the First 
Methodsit Episcopal church of Danville 
thev had long held membership and were 
consistent and useful memljers. Their daugh- 
ters. Misses l''annio J. and Lucy Smith. 
are also members of the same church and 
are prominent in society here. They have 




HENRY SMITH. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



47 5 



a pleasant home at No. Ii6 North Jackson 
street, which was erected by their father 
in 1845 and also own other residence prop- 
erty in the city. 

In his political views Mr. Smith was a 
Republican and he ever took a commendable 
interest in public affairs. He enjoyed the 
well earned distinction of being what the 
public terms a "self-made man/' and an 
analyzation of his character revealed the 
fact that enterprise, well directed effort and 
honorable dealing were the essential feat- 
ures in his prosperity. 



JOHN M. BALDWIN. 

The agricultural interests of Vermilion 
county form a very important part in the 
prosperity which it enjoys. A representa- 
tive of this honorable and useful occupation 
is John M. Baldwin, who was born Septem- 
ber 20, 1857, near Ridgefarm. in Vermilion 
county, Illinois. His grandparents on the 
paternal side were James and Rachel (Par- 
ry) Baldwin. He is a son of Franklin and 
Editha (Naylor) Baldwin. The father was 
born in Brown county, Ohio, April 26, 
1832, and came to Vermilion county, Illi- 
nois, when he was but six years of age, 
brought here by his parents. They settled 
in the village then known as Sunover, near 
the present village of Georgetown. At that 
time the primeval forests covered a great 
deal of the land, and there the grandfather 
followed farming and he and his wife spent 
their remaining days. Their son Franklin 
was left an orphan when but eight years 
of age. He remained on the home place 
until 1863, when he came to a farm near 
Indianola, with other members of the fam- 



ily. Here he followed the occupation of 
farming until 1886, when he removed to 
Sidell, Illinois, where he is engaged in the 
hardware business. His brothers and sis- 
ters were farmers and farmers" wives, and 
their names are as follows : Caroline Cord, 
Amanda Flaugher, Betsy Bates, Darius B., 
John M., Polly Graham, James, Elijah, 
Thomas, Franklin, Jane Golden and Will- 
iam. Jane lives in Dallas county, Iowa; 
Thomas at Ridgefarm, Illinois, and the 
others are deceased. All grew up, married 
and reared families, except William, who 
died in infancy. The mother of our sub- 
ject was born in Vermilion county, Indiana, 
June II, 1840. Her parents were John and 
Betsey (Stewart) Naylor. Her brother 
and sister are Benjamin Naylor, who was 
a Union soldier and died in Sidell in 1901, 
of army troubles, and Mary Rutherford, 
now living with her family at Longview, 
Illinois. Franklin and Editha (Naylor) 
Baldwin became the parents of the follow- 
ing named children: John M. is the eldest; 
Perry is a farmer of Indianola, who mar- 
ried Ella Lawrence, in 1882. They have a 
fine family, consisting of three boys and 
four girls, all healthy and bright. Charles 
M. is a farmer of Franklin county, Illinois. 
He married Emma Kries and had four 
boys and four girls. Of these two boys and 
one girl are deceased. They had three pairs 
of twins, a boy and girl in each pair. 
Thomas W. lives in Sidell and assists his 
father in the hardware business. He first 
married Nora E. Allison, by whom he had 
a boy and a girl, but the girl is now de- 
ceased. His first wife died and he married 
Hattie Harroll, and they have one child. 
William A. is a twin brother of Wilbur A. 
He is a farmer and for his first wife chose 
Sadie Harroll, by whom he- had one boy 



470 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



and a girl. His second marriage was with 
Gertie Ilarroll, a sister of his first wife, and 
they liave one boy. \\'ill)ur A., the twin 
brother of William A., married Mary 
Burke. Benjamin F. is a blacksmith living 
at Sidell, Illinois. He married Florence 
Canada, who is now deceased. By this 
marriage there is a little girl, seven years 
old. Nora K. died in infancy. Robert W. 
is a farmer of I'Vanklin county, Illinois. He 
married Cana Linn, and they have two girls. 

John M. Baldwin of this review was 
educated in the district schools and in the 
common schools of Indianola, and he is 
now the possessor of a beautiful and valu- 
able farm of one hundred acres lying just 
west of the village of Indianola, This is un- 
der a high state of cultivation, being 
equipped with all the accessories which go 
to make up a well conducted farm of the 
twentieth century. On this farm he has a 
fine residence, an ideal home for the family. 
He has made his own way in the world, 
starting out with no capital, and through 
his untiring efforts, ably assisted by his de- 
voted wife, he has won success. 

^Ir. B;ddwin was unitefl in marriage 
December 25, 1879, at Indianola, to Miss 
Lucy F, Thornton, who was born .'\ugust 
30, 1859, at Catlin, Illinois, her ])arents 
being David and Nancy (Si)icer) Thorn- 
ton, who were natives and pioneer settlers 
of Vermilion county. Her father died in 
the Union army in 1864 and her mother 
afterward became the wife of Charles Cole, 
and is living in Indianola. Mrs. Baldwin 
had one sister, Martha Thornton, and ten 
half-brothers and sisters. The family were 
agriculturists, and her father was a valiant 
soldier, giving up his life upon the altar of 
his country. L'nto Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin 
were born the following named children : 



The eldest, born October 30, 1880, died in 
infancy. William i\I., torn June 27, 1882, 
was one of the most popular and bright 
young men in Vermilion county. He grad- 
uated from the Indianola schools before he 
was eighteen, with high honors, being presi- 
dent of his class. He was converted and 
joined the Methodist church at the age of 
seventeen years, immediately became an act- 
ive worker in the Sunday-school and church 
and was soon made assistant superintendent 
of the Sunday-school, He became a teacher 
in the schools of the county and was recog- 
nized as a young man of ability. He had 
good oratorical qualities, was a very brill- 
iant speaker, and studied l;iw, ct)mpleting 
the college course with a grade of ninety- 
seven per cent. He entered Austin College, 
but at the end of one term returned home, 
and on March 9, 1902, he died. His death 
caused the family and many friends heart- 
felt grief, and his fate seemed doubly sad 
because of his bright intellect and the ])rom- 
ising future befurc him. but He who doeth 
all things well, saw fit to take him in the 
flower of his youth. His loss was the cause 
of sorrow to the entire commuiiilv. Samuel 
v.. the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Bald- 
win, born June 3, 1884. was graduated from 
the Indianola schools in 1902, and is now 
teaching. Clyde .\., the fourth in order of 
birth, was born October 30. 1886. E\-a 
and Evert, twins, were born November 3, 
1889, and died in infancy. Russell, born 
January 14, 1893. is now in school. 

Mr. Baldwin is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, of the Modern Woodmen of 
America and of the Court of Honor. He 
has been a member of the board of school 
directors of Indianola for the past nine 
years and is now president of the board. 
He was census enumerator for Carroll 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



\n 



township in 1900 and has been a trustee of 
Woodlawn cemetery for the past nine years. 
This is the finest cemetery in \'ermihun 
county outside of DanviUe. In religious 
faith Mr. Baldwin is a Methodist, and in 
politics is an earnest Republican. In all 
mox-ements and measures for the general 
improvement and upbuilding he takes an 
active and helpful interest, and he is justly 
regarded as a \alued and representative 
farmer of Carroll township. 



W. R. NASH, M. D. 

Dr. W. R. Nash, who is eng^aged in tlie 
practice of medicine and surgery in Fair- 
mount, is a native of Indiana, his birth ha\-- 
ing occurred in Hendricks county, on the 
I2th of May, 1841. His parents, R. T. 
and Frances (Smith) Nash, were both na- 
tives of Kentucky, and were there married. 
The father engaged in farming in that state 
until his removal to Hendricks county, In- 
diana, where he entered land from the gov- 
ernment and carried on farming until hi, 
life's labors were ended in death. He passed 
away on the old homestead there in 1846, 
and his wife in 1852. Both were devoted 
and zealous members of the Baptist church. 
In his political views the father was a Dem- 
ocrat. In the family were four sons and 
three daughters, of whom two sons and two 
daughters are yet living: George W., a 
physician of Indianapolis ; Parthenia, the 
widow of John T. Bums, who w-as an at- 
torney of Brownsburg, Indiana ; \V. R. ; and 
Martha H., the wdfe of Charles Ridgeway, 
a millwright of Newcastle, Indiana. Those 
deceased are: Isaac N., who was killed dur- 
ing the assault at Weldon Railroad, while 
a member of the Seventh Indiana Volunteer 



Infantry, during the Civil war, and was 
buried at City Point, Virginia ; Richard T., 
who was a men.iber of Company K, Seven- 
tieth Indiana Infantry, the regiment com- 
manded by Benjamin Harrison, and died of 
smallpox while in the service, his remains 
being interred at Chattanooga, Tennessee; 
and Mahala J., the deceased wife of Will- 
iam F. Dinwiddie, of Brownsburg. Indiana. 
In the district schools of Brownsburg 
Dr. \V. R. Nash pursued his literary edu- 
cation. Later he removed to Indianola, Illi- 
nois, where he entered upon his business 
career as a clerk in the store of John Grace, 
also looking after the stock upon his em- 
ployer's farm. He remained with Mr. Grace 
for tw-enty-eight months and then donned 
the nation's blue uniform as a memljer of 
Company D, Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantrv 
the first company that went to the front 
from Vermilion count}'. The date of his en- 
listment was June i, 1861, and the place In- 
dianola, Illinois. He was mustered in at 
St. Louis, where \^^ \\'. Osborn was elected 
captain of the company and Colonel Will- 
iam Coler of Decatur was chosen to com- 
mand the regiment. With his command 
Dr. Nash was ordered to Jefferson City 
and thence to Sedalia,, Missouri, and on to 
Pea Ridge, participating in the battle there. 
He was also in the engagement at Pittsburg 
Landing, and at Corinth and luka, after 
which he made the famous march to Louis- 
ville, Kentucky, and on to Perryville. Sub- 
sequently he was in the battle of Stone 
River and under the command of General 
Rosecrans took a part in that hotlv con- 
tested engagement at Chickamauga. After 
meeting the enemy's fire at Missionary 
Ridge the troops of General Thomas w'Cnt 
south and fought the battles of Resaca, 
Burnt Hickorv, Big Shantv, Kenesaw 



478 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Mountain, Chatahoochee River and Peach 
Tree Creek. Dr. Nash was also in the bat- 
tle of Atlanta, and on the 4th of August, 
1864, was relieved and sent to Springfield, 
Illinois, where he was honorably discharged 
by reason of the expiration of his term of 
service, and was mustered out at Springfield 
September 5, 1864, having been with the 
army for three years and four months. He 
took part in a number of battles and skir- 
mishes in addition to those already named 
and was five times promoted for valorous 
service, from fifth to first sergeant. At the 
battle of Stone Ri\-er he was wounded in 
the left thigh by a pistol ball, and still car- 
ries the bullet. At Chickamauga, he was 
wounded in the right shoulder by a piece 
of shell, and after the battle he took com- 
mand of his company with his arm in a 
sling. He displayed wonderful resolution 
and courage, refusing to go to the hospital 
when wounded, continuing instead in actixe 
service with his company. 

When his military experience was over 
Dr. Nash returned to Brownsburg, Indiana, 
and was there engaged in the drug business. 
In the same city on the 14th of May, 1863, 
he was married to Miss Ruth J. Caywood. 
who was born in Hendricks county, In- 
diana, October 20, 1844, ^ daughter of 
Henry V. and Rebecca (Wells) Caywood. 
who was born and reared in Kentucky. The 
father was a farmer by occupation and he 
served as a loyal soldier of the Union army 
for three years in the Seventy-ninth Indiana 
Infantry. Removing to Wilson county, 
Kansas, both he and his wife died there, the 
former in 1892 and the latter in 1890. Mr. 
Caywood was a member of the Christian 
church and a Republican in his political 
views. Mrs. Nash was one of three chil- 
dren and her brother William is now resid- 



ing in Wilson county, Kansas. The other 
member of the family has passed away. 
Two daughters were born unto the Doctor 
and his wife, of whom one is living, Mabel 
E., now the wife of Dr. Goodwin, of Fair- 
mount. 

After his marriage Dr. Nash located in 
Brownsburg. Indiana, and took up the study 
of medicine under Dr. Joseph A. Eastman 
He was graduated in the College of Phy- 
sicians and Surgeons of Indiana, in 1876, 
and then located at Ridgefarm, Vermilion 
county, in the spring of that year, practicing 
there until 1882, when he came to Fair- 
mount, where he has since lived. He is a 
member of the American Medical, the State 
Medical and the Vermilion County Medi- 
cal Societies, and is continually broadening 
his knowledge and thereby promoting his 
efficiency through reading, investigation, 
and study. The Doctor belongs to Fair- 
mount Lodge, No. 590, F. & A. M., having 
been made a Mason here in 1888. In 1866 
he was made an Odd Fellow in Browns- 
biu-g, Indiana, and he likewise belongs to 
Catlin Post, G. A. R. He exercises his 
right of franchise in support of the men 
and measures of the Republican party and 
is well read on political subjects, but other- 
wise is not active in politics, preferring that 
his undivided attention shall be given to 
his professional duties which are onerous 
and important, and which are discharged 
with conscientious fidelity. 



JOHN G. LEVERICH. 

For many years John Goldsmith Leverich 
filled the office of master in chancery in 
Danville and at the age of seventy years he 
passed away, leaving behind him the record 




JOHN G. LEVERICH. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



481 



of a life of great usefulness and of honor. 
He was born in Newtown, Queens county, 
New York, on the loth of October, 1819. 
His father, John Leverich, was born Jan- 
uary 30, 1789, and in the year 18 14 he was 
united in marriage to Alletta Berrien, whose 
birth occurred July 18, 1788. They located- 
on Long Island, where the father followed 
the blacksmithing trade for a time, but 
eventually he removed to the west and lived 
for a time with his son, John G. Later, 
however, he retired from active life and 
eventually returned to Newtown, where he 
died April 25, 1858. He had served his 
country in the war of 18 12, holding the 
rank of sergeant. His wife passed away at 
Newtown, December i, 1863, having sur- 
vived him only for about five years. Both 
were devoted members of the Presbyterian 
church and Mr. Leverich was a Whig in 
his political affiliations. In their family were 
four children, but the only survi\ing rep- 
resentative of this family is Mrs. M. E. 
Witte, who resides at Northport, on Long 
Island. 

John Goldsmith Leverich pursued his 
education in his early boyhood in a school 
on Long Island and later became a student 
in a private academy in New York city. He 
accepted a clerkship in the wholesale drug 
store of McKessen & Roberts on entering 
upon his business career, and remained with 
that house until 1841, when he came to Illi- 
nois in company with O. L. Davis. Danville 
then became his place of residence and he 
accepted a position as a salesman in the 
store of L. T. Palmer, while later he en- 
gaged in business on his own account in 
partnership with his brother, R. T. Le\e- 
rich. They conducted a general mercan- 
tile store for fi\-e years and in 18O0 Mr. 
Leverich of this re\iew was appointed mas- 
ter in chancery, which position he held for 
20 



nineteen years, a longer period than almost 
any incumbent of a similar ofiice in the 
state. In 1881 he retired from the position 
with the confidence and good will of the 
public, and spent his remaining years in the 
enjoyment of the fruits of his former la- 
bors. 

On the 13th of October, 1847, '" Dan- 
ville, Mr. Leverich was united in marriage 
to Miss Sarah A. Tilton, who was born in 
Shipton, Canada, December 25, 1822, a 
daughter of Abial Foster and Cynthia 
(Thompson) Tilton, the former a native of 
New Hampshire, and the latter of Massa- 
chusetts. They were married in the Green 
Mountain state and on their removal to the 
west located first in Ohio, where they re- 
mained for a short time, the father follow- 
ing the millwright's trade. He then came 
to Vermilion county, Illinois, and erected 
a mill on Yermilion creek, being, thus identi- 
fied with industrial interests for some time. 
Subsequently he removed to Middle Fork, 
where he owned a large farm, operating it 
successfully until his deatii, which occurred 
about 1866. Mr. Tilton was a W'hig in 
his political affiliations and was a man of 
strong character and sterling purpose. In 
his family were nine children, but only one 
of the number now sur\ives — Charles, who 
is a traveling salesman antl resides in St. 
Louis, Missouri. 

After his marriage Air. Lexerich look 
up his abode in Danville and contimied to 
(iccupv the position of master in chancery 
until his retirement from acti\'e life. L'nto 
him and liis wife were linrn fix'e children : 
Edward, who died August 24, 1856, at the 
age of se\'en vears : IMary Bonette. who died 
Septemlier 14, 1853. when a year and a 
half iild; Alletta B., who became the wife 
lit H. .\. Hall, a resident of Dan\-ille, and 
died June 29, 1900, leaving two children. 



482 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Janette A. and Edward L. : Sarah, tlie wife 
of O. D. Pollock, who is livng in Danville: 
and Catherine E., who is a twin sister of 
Sarah and also lives in Danville, the family 
home at No. 14 Gilbert street being now 
owned by her. 

In politics ]\Ir. Leverich was known as 
an earnest Republican, believing firmly in 
the principles of the party, yet never a poli- 
tician in the sense of office seeking. In 
manner he was quiet and unostentatious, 
yet he possessed strong character and de- 
termined purpose and he commanded the 
respect and confidence of all by whom he 
was known. In the discharge of his official 
duties he was strictly fair and impartial, 
etjuity being one of the salient traits of his 
public service. WhWe he never connected 
himself with any church organization he 
believed in the fatherhood of God, the 
l)rotherhood of mankind and closely fol- 
lowed the golden rule. He was charitable 
and benevolent, kindly in spirit and in 
thought, was absolutely honest and never 
afraid to express his honest convictions. He 
passed away March 18, 1889, and his wife, 
who was a member of the Presbyterian 
church, departed this life October 30, 1902. 
They were laid to rest side by side in Spimg 
Hill cemetery of Danville, but the influence 
of these worthy people is still made mani- 
fest in the lives of those with whom they 
came in contact. While unassuming and 
quiet in demeanor Mr. Leverich was by no 
means a negative factor in Danville. There 
was nothing of the pessimist about him. 
nor was his the character of a visionary 
optimist ; he looked at life from a practical 
standpoint. He possessed strong humani- 
tarian principles and closely adhered to the 
rules of conduct which govern an honor- 
able, upright manhood. He indeed stood as 



a representative of a high type of American 
citizenship and well does he deserve that his 
name should l)e inscribed high on the roll 
of representative men of the city in which 
he so long made his home. 



EDWARD DOXXELLY. 

Through twenty-two years Edward Don- 
nelly was numbered among the prominent 
farmers of Danville township. He there- 
fore deserves mention in this volume 
among the men whose efforts have con- 
tributed to the general welfare and who 
in matters of citizenship have always been 
Inyal and true. He was born in county 
Cavan, Ireland, in the year 1822, his par- 
ents being John and Frances Donnelly, 
who were also natives of that county, where 
the father resided until his death. In 1851 
our subject bade adieu to his native country 
and crossed the broad Atlantic to America 
settling first in the Empire state, and after- 
ward removed to Indiana. Some of the 
brothers of our subject came to Danville in 
1864, among them John Donnelly, who ncnv 
resides in this city, being engaged in the 
grocery business on the corner of Jackson 
and South streets. 

Edward Donnelly spent the days of his 
boyhood and youth on the Emerald isle 
and pursued his education in the common 
schools there and then came to America 
to America. After living for a few years 
in the state of Xew York, he made his way 
v.estward to Indiana, locating first at Will- 
iamsport, where he was engaged in fa''m- 
iiig. Dm-ing that time he was united in 
marriage to Marv Denneny, a native of Xew 
^'ork. Her parents, Thomas and Cather- 
ine Deunenv, were natises of Ireland and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



483 



after coming to the United States they set- 
tled in New York and afterward made their 
way westward to Williamsport, Indiana, 
wliere the father carried on agricuUural 
pursuits throug'hout the remainder of his 
career, his hfe's labors being ended in 
death. Both he and his wife passed away 
at Williamsport. The marriage of ^Ir. 
and Mrs. Donnelly was blessed with twelve 
children : Cornelius, now deceased ; Fran- 
ces, the wife of John Gross, a resident of 
Benton county, Indiana ; Katherine and 
William, who have also passed away ; Ed- 
ward, who resides in Alton, Illinois; 
Thomas, who married Annie Brennan 
and conducts a fine saloon on South street 
in Danville; Elizabeth, who is living at 
home with her mother ; James, who is em- 
ployed as a salesman in his uncle's grocery 
store on South street and who also resides 
with his mother; Nellie, the wife of John 
Belton, of Danville; Annie, deceased; Har- 
ry, at home; and one that died in infancy. 
Mr. and Mrs. Donnelly began their do- 
mestic life upon a farm near Williams- 
port, Indiana, where they remained until 
February, 1866, when they came to Ver- 
milion county, Illinois, settling on a farm 
two and one-half miles from Danville and 
near the town of Perrysville. Through the 
succeeding twenty-two years Edward Don- 
nelly conducted this place his time and at- 
tention being given to its further develop- 
ment and improvement. His labors were 
attended with a high degree of success and 
as a result of his cultivation of the fields he 
annually harvested rich crops which found 
a ready sale on the market and brought to 
him a very gratifying income. He was a 
Democrat in his political affiliations and al- 
though he was never an office seeker he held 
the position of assistant road commissioner 



of Danville township for several years. 
He belonged to the Catholic church of 
which his wife and children are also com- 
municants and he died in that faith on the 
1 2th of June, 1888. Loyal in citizenship, 
faithful in friendship and devoted to the 
welfare of his wife and family he was a 
man who possessed many sterling traits of 
character worthy of emulation. After the 
death of her husband Mrs. Donnelly re- 
moved with her children to Danville, where 
they have since lived. They now reside in 
a \'ery pleasant home at No. 507 Green 
street and in addition to this property Mrs. 
Donnelly also owns a farm of ninety-six 
acres and another of forty acres, both in 
Danville township. These are rented and 
return to her a good income. Mr. Don- 
nelly was a successful business man and thus 
provided a comfortable living for his family 
after he passed away. 



RICHARD ARTHUR BLOCK. 

Among the young men of Vermilion 
county whose worth in the business world 
is recognized is Richard Arthur Block, 
cashier of the recently established bank of 
Indianola. He was born July 14, 1874, in 
Sidney, Illinois, a son of Theodore L. 
and Mary P. Block, both of whom are of 
German ancestry. William Block, the 
grandfather came to America from the 
fatherland in the year 1856 and immediate- 
ly after his arrival in Illinois purchased the 
farm which is still owned by his son, Theo- 
dore L., and is known as the William Block 
farm. In the family were two sons, Theo- 
dore L. and August F., both still residents 
of Sidney. The mother of our subject had 



484 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



two brotliers, Charles T. and Albert A., the 
former residing at Broadlands, Illinois, and 
the latter at Sidney. Theodore L. Block 
has always carried on the occupation of 
farming and is one of the leading agricul- 
turists and capitalists of Champaign county. 
He owns about one thousand acres of fer- 
tile land, most of which is adjacent to Sid- 
ney, Illinois, while a portion adjoins Lii- 
fayette, Indiana, and his extensive agri- 
cultural interests have proven a safe guar- 
antee for the Indianola Bank, which has 
been established by the father and his son, 
Richard A. There is also another son. 
Edgar W. Block, and three sisters: Mrs. 
L. Hartzigg, a resident of Lafayette, Indi- 
ana; and Mrs. G. S. Gerhold and Lanora 
A., of Sidney. 

Having acquired his preliminary educa- 
tion in the public schools of his native town 
Richard A. Block afterwanl entered the 
University of Illinois at Champaign in 
1891. Subsequently he prepared for 
business life liy entering the Draughen's 
Business College at Nashville, Tennes- 
see, wliere he was graduated in 1898. 
Until his remo\-al to Indianola in the sjjring 
of 1902 he always resided in Sidney excejjt 
during the period when he was attending 
college. In the fall of 1901 he accepted a 
position in Winston's Bank in Sidney, where 
he remained until the spring of the following 
year. He then joined his father in the or- 
ganization of the Indianola Bank of which 
the father is president and the son cashier. 
The latter then removed to Indianola. where 
he is now living. The liank has an in- 
dividual responsibility of over one hundred 
and tiltv thousand dollars and has already 
gained a good start. It was eagerly wel- 
comed by the people of the village for prior 
to this time their business had been carried 



on through the banking institutions of Dan- 
ville. The new bank is fitted up with a 
National Cannon Screw door safe, steel 
vault chambers, absolutely burglar proof 
and is insured against burglary or loss by 
one of the great casualty companies. 

In 1899 ^^'*- Block became a member of 
Sidney Grange, No. 502, in which he held 
various offices and at the time of his re- 
moval from his native town he was filling 
the position of master of the Grange of 
Sidney. At the age of fifteen he became a 
member of the Evangelical cluu-cli with 
which he has since been connected. He is a 
young man of good business ability and his 
pre\ious experience in banking well 
equipped him for the work to which he is 
now devoting his energies. In manner he is 
genial, courteous and obliging and these 
qualities lia\e made him a popular bank 

official. 

*-•-♦ 



ANDREW HEBEL. 

The Gernirm element in our national 
citizenship is an inijinrtant (me. I'"rom the 
fatherland li;i\e come many men who have 
been acti\e and prominent factors in de- 
\-elo])ing dift'erent sections cif the country, 
'i'hey ha\'e taken an inipcirtant ])art in pro- 
moting business activity and have Ijeen 
found loyal and ])rogressive in citizenshiji. 
Such a one is Ainlrew Hehel, who for more 
than twenty years was a manfacturer and 
representative business man of \'ermilion 
cnuntv, living in Rossville, Illinois. He 
lias been a resident of Illinois since July 6, 
1871;. and his birth nccurred on the River 
Rhine, in Ciermany, December _m. 18 18. He 
came to the new world in 1833 and was 
reared to manhood in Cincinnati. Ohio, 




ANDREW HEBEL. 




MRS. ANDREW HEBEL. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



489 



where he learned the brick-maker's trade. 
He made his home in that city until 1854, 
when he removed to Ripley county, Indi- 
ana, where he followed brick-making for a 
number of years prior to the Ci\-il war. 

When the country became involved in 
hostilities over the slavery question and the 
south attempted to withdraw from the 
Union, he offered his ser\-ices in behalf of 
the g'overnment, enlisting in June, 1862, as 
a member of Company G, Eighty-third In- 
diana Volunteer Infantry. The regiment 
then went south, was attached to the Army 
of the Tennessee and the first fight in which 
Mr. Hebel participated was at Chickasaw 
Bayou. Later he took part in the engage- 
ments of Arkansas Post and in the siege of 
Yicksburg, being present at its surrender. 
He was also in the battles of Resaca, Kene- 
saw Mountain and the Atlanta campaign, 
and assisted in the capture of Atlanta. His 
regiment was attached to the Second Bri- 
gade, Second Division of the Fifteenth 
Army Corps, and marched with Sherman to 
the sea, participating in all of the fights 
en route and in the last battle of the war at 
Bentonville. With his command Mr. He- 
bel then marched through Richmond and 
on to Washington, D. C, where he was one 
of the vast host of victorious men who 
marched in grand review before the presi- 
dent of the United States, carrying the ban- 
ners of victor)'. He lost but little time 
through illness while in the service and was 
never in a hospital, although he received a 
gut-shot wound in the right cheek and still 
carries the scar — an honorable token of his 
faithful defense of the old flag and the na- 
tion. He was discharged in Washington, 
in June, 1865, Vjut was paid off at Indian- 
apolis, and with a most creditable military 
record returned to his home. 

Mr. Hebel located in Lawrenceburg, In- 



diana, where he worked at his trade of 
brick-making, continuing there for some 
years. Later he removed to Sunman, Rip- 
ley county, Indiana, where he worked for 
two years, establishing a brick and tile yard 
of his own at that place. In 1879 he came 
to Rossville and took charge of the Arm- 
strong Tile Works, acting in that capacity 
for five or six years. He afterward became 
owner of a brick and tile plant at Potomac, 
which he purchased for his sons, who car- 
ried on the business for several years. Our 
subject afterward sold that property and 
bought a plant in Rossville, where the sons 
have since carried on a large brick and tile 
business. They also own and operate an- 
other factory at Henning. Mr. Hebel wa.s 
an active factor in the control of the plant 
at this place until about 1890, since which 
time he has lived in honorable retirement 
from labor, having in former years acquired 
a comfortable competence. 

In Aberdeen, Ohio, on the 14th of Sep- 
tember, 185 1, was celebrated the marriage 
of Mr. Hebel and Miss Margaret Kuntz, 
who was born in Germany July i, 1834, and 
came to America when eight years old. She 
passed away on the 24th of June, 1901. 
They were the parents of seven children, 
five sons and two daughters : George H., 
who is now engaged in business in San 
Francisco, California; Thomas A., who is 
conducting the brick and tile manufactory 
in Henning"; Theodore E., postmaster of 
Rossville; Benjamin J., who is engaged in 
the manufacture of brick and tile in Ross- 
ville; Charles F., a jeweler of Rossville; 
Mary I., the wife of George Kammeyer, a 
drayman of Rossville; Margaret B., the 
wife of Lewis Overling, who is engaged in 
the harness business in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

When Mr. Hebel became an American 
citizen he endorsed the principles of the 



490 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Whig party and cast his first pres- 
idential vote for W'iiHam Henry Har- 
rison in 1840, wiien the rallying 
cry of the Whigs was "Tippecanoe 
and Tyler, too," but as the years passed a 
new issue arose and this led to the forma- 
tion of the Republican party to prevent the 
further extension of slavery. John C. Fre- 
mont entered the field as its first presidential 
candidate in 1856, and Mr. Hebel gave to 
him his support and has never failed to 
vote the Republican ticket at each presi- 
dential election since that time. He has 
served as police magistrate for one term, 
but otherwise has always refused to accejjt 
public office, preferring to give his attention 
to his business interests. He is a Master 
Mason, and belongs to Rossville Post, No. 
277, G. A. R., in which he has twice served 
as commander. He has never had occasion 
to regret the fact that in early life he be- 
came an American citizen. He has enjoyed 
the business privileges and opportunities af- 
forded by this countn,- and through the ex- 
ercise of industry, enterprise and honorable 
dealing he has steadily progressed in the 
business world until a comfortable compet- 
ence, accpiired through his own efforts, en- 
ables him to live a retired life. He has 
reached the advanced age of eighty-four 
years, but can look o\-er the past without 
regret, for his career has been honorable 
and straightforward and in his life he has 
accomplished much that is worthy of com- 
mendation. 



JOHN CARSON. 



Public-spirited and progressive, John 
Carson is a worthy citizen of his adopted 
county and is deserving of creditable men- 



tion in this volume. He was born in County 
Antrim, Ireland, but his paternal grand- 
parents were both natives of Scotland. His 
father, James Carson, was united in mar- 
riage to Rachel McCoy, and it is thus that 
our subject is of Scotch-Irish parentage. 
His father was in quite humble financial cir- 
cumstances and both he and his wife died 
in the Emerald isle. The natal day of our 
subject was August 26, 1834. He acquired 
a limited education in his native country and 
remained upon the farm of his uncle and 
grandfather until he came to America in the 
year 1854. He was then a young man of 
twenty years, who, wishing to see something 
of the world and believing that he might 
better his financial conditions in the United 
States, crossed the briny deep. Continuing 
his westward way he at length reached De- 
catur countv, Indiana, and settled near 
Greensburg, where he was em]iIoyed as a 
farm hand for four years. 

He was then married in 1858 to Martha 
C. Glass, a native of County .\ntrim. Ire- 
land, born February 3, 1832. Her parents 
were John and Jane (McDowell) Glass, both 
of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Carson 
came to America in the frdl of 1837, to join 
her brother, Henry, who had made the voy- 
age across the Atlantic in company with our 
subject. Mr. Carson had accumulatefl a 
small sum of money prior to his marriage 
and at that time he rented land, engaging in 
farming on his own account. In the fall 
of i860 he removed to Tipton comity, where 
he continued to engage in agricultural pur- 
suits until the spring of 1865, when he ar- 
rived in Jasper county, Illinois. There he 
remained for about five years and then re- 
turned to Tipton county, Indiana. Later 
he bought eighty acres of land which he 
continued to cultivate from 1871 until igoo, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



491 



when he put aside business cares. He came 
to Hoopeston, selling all of his Tipton coun- 
ty property, and purchased property in this 
town, becoming the owner of an attractive 
home valued at twenty-five hundred dollars. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carson have been 
born the following children : Margaret 
Jane, the wife of Edwin Moss; Emma G., 
the wife of Silas Hughes: William A., who 
married Agnes McCracken; Mehin \V., 
who wedded Emma Mendenhall ; Atlanta, 
the wife of E. A. Ogle, and six who have 
passed away, four having died in infancy. 
Thomas Henry, who was a twin brother of 
Margaret, died at the age of ele\en years, 
while attending school in Indianapolis. 
John Edwin, who was a graduate of a law 
college and was just beginning to practice 
in Tipton, died at the age of twenty-nine 
years. He was quite well known as a prom- 
inent Republican of his party in that 
locality. 

Mr. Carson gave to his chiklren good 
educational privileges, the different mem- 
bers of the family having attended college 
at Indianapolis, Valparaiso or in Hoopes- 
ton. When they have arrived at years of 
maturitv he has assisted them in starting 
out on their business careers. His home has 
ever been to him the dearest place on earth 
and he has put forth every effort in his 
power to promote the welfare and advance- 
ment as well as the happiness of his family. 
For forty-six years he has been a member 
of _the United Presbyterian church, has 
been very active in its \vork and served as 
chairman of the building committee when 
the parsonage was erected in Hoopeston. He 
has been liberal in his support of the church 
and the Sunday-school. A Republican in 
politics he was tendered the office of sheriff 
of Tipton county, Indiana, but he refused 



to become a candidate, caring nothing for 
political honors, but after coming to Hoopes- 
ton he was elected alderman from the fourth 
ward and re-elected in the spring of 1902, 
so that he is now serving as a member of th 
common council of this city. He is a mem- 
ber of the committee on streets and alleys 
and is doing his utmost to promote the wel- 
fare and improvement of the place. He 
and his wife are esteemed and honored resi- 
dents here. Comfortably situated in life, 
they ha\e the warm regard of all who know 
them. The welfare of Hoopeston is dear to 
the heart of Mr. Carson, whose many ex- 
cellent qualities have gained for him the 
friendship of all with whom he has been 
brought in contact. 



PROF. LINN H. GRIFFITH. 

Professor Linn H. Griffith is the super- 
intendent of schools in Danville. He was 
born in Ohio, September 2}^, 1858, and is a 
son of Benjamin B. and Margaret Griffith, 
both of whom were natives of Piedmont,* 
Harrison county, Ohio, where their entire 
lives were passed. The father was born in 
that county in the year 1836 and both he 
and his wife have now passed away. 

Professor Griffith was one of a family 
of si.x children and in the public schools he 
acquired his preliminary education which 
was supplemented by a special course of 
study in Franklin College of Ohio in which 
institution he was graduated with the class 
of 1883. During his college days he also 
engaged in teaching to some extent and his 
entire life since arriving at man's estate has 
been devoted to educational work. Soon 
after his graduation he came to the west, 
locating first in McLean county, Illinois. 



492 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



For five years lie was superintendent of tlie 
schools of Potomac, Vermilion county, am! 
in 1889 he was elected county superinten- 
dent of schools of this county, holding the 
position continuously for ten years. In 1890 
he was chosen assistant state superintendent 
and filled the office for two terms, and in 
1899 he was elected superintendent of the 
Danville city schools, the position he now 
holds. 

In 1884 Professor Griffith was united in 
marriage to Lulu Heffling, of Leroy, Illi- 
nois, who died in October, 1886, le:iving 
a daughter, Viola. On Christmas day of 
1887 Professor Griffith was again married, 
his second union being with Miss Nannie 
Heaton, of Hoopeston, Illinois. They now 
have four children. Helen, Florence, Roljert, 
and Howard. The father is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity, of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, of the Knights of 
Pythias Lodge, the Modern W'oodnien 
Camp, and of the Sons of Veterans Camp, 
all of Dan\ille. He is also a trustee of the 
city hospital and is a citizen deeply inter- 
ested in public progress and improvement. 
He has long occupied a position as one of 
the distinguished educators of this state, his 
ability winning him recognition and promo- 
tion. His scholarly attainments and broad 
general knowledge are also supplemented b\- 
the humanitarian spirit which promotes not 
only the study of sociology rmd of the ques- 
tions affecting mankind, but also lends an 
active co-operation in many measures for 
the general good. 



JOHN W. DIFHL. 



John W. Diehl, of Hoopeston, was born 
in Pennsylvania, January 8, 1843, ^^'thin 
seven miles of Gettysburg. His parents 



were Samuel and Catherine (Brame) Diehl, 
both of whom were natives of the Keystone 
state and were of German descent. The 
father was a farmer by occupation and died 
about 1865, while the mother's death oc- 
curred six or seven years later. Mr. Dieh! 
has one sister, Ellen, now the wife of Will- 
iam Saddler, of Pennsylvania. 

In the place of his nati\'ity John \\'. 
Diehl was reared and pursued his education 
in the subscription schools. He was about 
twenty-one years of age at the time of the 
liattle of Gettysburg, one of the most hotly 
contested engagements of the entire Civil 
war. He well remembers that terrible fight 
when the shells screamed over the little 
town nestling among the mountains. There 
came an order from the govermnent that 
the settlers should remove all of their stock 
and effects across the Susquehanna or the 
government would not be amenable for 
any losses. In consequence of this order 
the family property of the Diehls was taken 
across the ri\-er before the battle. After 
the engagement our subject and his brother 
returned with the stock to the home farm, 
the father having died in the meantime. 

In the year 1869 John W. Diehl made 
his way westward, and after spending a 
part of the summer in Iowa he returned to 
Indiana, where he engaged in farming for 
a year. He then came to Hoopeston in 
1872, at which time the town was just be- 
ing establisheil. Here he became connected 
with Miller Brothers in the grocery business 
under the firm name of Miller Brothers 
Company. After two years he sold out and 
gave his attention to teaming until he em- 
barked in the livcrv business, whicli he con- 
ducted successfully for six years. He 
then traded his livery stock for a i)art of 
his present place. He now has al)out sev- 




JOHN W. DIEHL. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



495 



enty-eight acres of land, of which thirty 
acres is within the city limits of Hoo])eston, 
including fifteen lots which ha\e been 
platted and form a part of Diehl's subdi- 
vision. In 1 88 1 he took up his abode at 
his present home and since that time has been 
engaged in farming, in the raising of fruit, 
and has a large vineyard. He practically 
leaves the care of his property to his son, 
while he is enjoying a well earned rest. 

In 1875, in Hoopeston, Mr. Diehl was 
united in marriage to Miss Mary, Robinson, 
of Ohio, whose parents were then living in 
Hoopeston but are now deceased. Her 
father was a farmer by occupation. Mrs. 
Diehl has two sisters and three brothers : 
Robert; William; Edward: Sally, the wid- 
ow of S. Thurman ; and Jane, the wife of 
Ed. Cory, a resident of Hoopeston. The 
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Diehl was blessed 
with two children, but George died at the 
age of seven years. The living son, Charlie. 
is now carr}'ing on the farm work for his 
father and is an enterprising, wide-awake 
young business man. 

In his political affiliations Mr. Diehl has 
always been a stalwart Republican, and for 
two years he served as street commissioner. 
He made no mistake when he determined 
to establish his home in the west, taking ad- 
vantage of the business opportunities in this 
portion of the country. These opportuni- 
ties he has improved, and through his capa- 
ble management and untiring energy he has 
gained a place among the men of affluence 
of the community. 



CHARLES F. CROW. 

Charles F. Crow, proprietor of a grain 
elevator in Fairmount, is one of the native 
sons of Illinois, his birth having occurred 



in Macon county on the loth of August, 
1876. He comes of New England ancestry, 
his grandparents having been born in that 
part of the country. His father, E. W. 
Crow, is a native of Ohio, and in Macon 
county, Illinois, at Blue Mound, was united 
in marriage to Miss Nancy Deatley, whose 
birth occurred in Indiana. The father has 
long been engaged in the grain trade and 
has resided continuously at Blue Mound 
since the time of his marriage. There hi- 
owns considerable real estate. He is a man 
whose successful career has been the legiti- 
mate result of his own efforts and to-day 
he is accounted one of the prosperous resi- 
dents of his locality. His fellow townsmen, 
recognizing his worth and ability, have fre- 
quently called him to public offices of trust 
and he has served in all of the townshii- 
offices, elected upon the ticket of the Repub- 
lican party, of which he is a stanch adher- 
ent. Fraternally he is connected with the 
Modern Woodmen of America, and for 
twenty-fi\'e years he has been a devoted 
member of the Christian church, of which 
he is now serving as elder. In the familv 
are seven children : Myrtle, who resides at 
home; Charles F., of this review; O. L., 
who makes his home in St. Louis, Missouri ; 
Earl, Roy, Grace, and Eva, who are still 
with their parents. 

Charles F. Crow acquired his early edu- 
cation in Blue Mound and afterward became 
a student in Eureka College, of Eureka, this 
state, where he was graduated with the class 
of 1894. Subsequently he engaged in teach- 
ing school for three years in Blue Mound 
and then went to Butte, Montana, wliere 
he had charge of a commission house. In 
1900 he located in Fairmount, Illinois, suc- 
ceeding J. M. Current as proprietor of the 
elevator of the elevator which he now owns. 



496 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



He is a young man of perseverence, energy 
and laudable ambition, and the business has 
doubled under his capable management. He 
also has a grain station at Bennett, on the 
Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, and 
his business is in a prosperous condition, 
bringing to him an excellent return from his 
investment. 

In I'riirninunt. April i6, 1901. Mr. Crow 
Avas united in marriage to ^liss Belle How- 
ard, who was born in Vermilion county. 
January 18, 1874. and is a daughter of J. 
J. and .Mice (Gunder) Howard, the former 
a native of Iowa and the latter of Indiana^ 
They were married, however, in Illinois, 
and the father is now engaged in farming, 
his home being in Vance township, where 
he owns extensi\e landed interests. He is a 
Democrat in his political views and in the 
spring of 1902 was elected su])ervisor in a 
Repul)lican township, a fact which indicates 
his popularity and the confidence reposed in 
him by his fellow citizens. He is also a 
valued member of the Knights of Pythias 
fraternity and the Court of Honor, and his 
high moral character is indicated by the fact 
tliat he is now serx'ing as a deacon of tin. 
Baptist church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. How- 
ard were born two daughters. Belle, the wife 
of our suljject: and Stella, who resides with 
her parents. 

Mr. and Mrs. Crow have a l)eautiful 
home in Fairmount, elegantly furnished and 
celebrated for its good cheer. Mr. Crow 
strongly endorses Republican principles and 
is now serving as one of the city aldermen. 
He belongs to Fairmount Lodge, No. 590. 
F. & A. M., of which he is the secretary 
and is also a member of Lodge, No. 1868, 
M. W. A., and the Court of Honor. He 
has won for himself a host of friends in 
Fairmount and belongs to the class of wide- 



awake, representative young business men 
who are a valueil addition to any commun- 
ity. .\lready he has attained the success that 
many an older man miglit well envy. His 
ambitious, resolute nature and conformitx 
to commercial ethics argue well for the 
future. 



GEORGE BUSH YEOMAXS. 

With the development of the world his- 
tory is no longer a record of wars and con- 
quests but the account of the upbuilding of 
community, city, state or nation, and their 
business activities and they who are promi- 
nent in public afifairs are the ones who con- 
trol extensive and important business inter- 
ests and who, through a close following of 
correct commercial ethics, maintain the re])- 
utation of their locality as a commercial cen- 
ter and uphold its legal and moral status. 
It is therefore fitting that George Bush Yeo- 
mans should be jjrominently mentioned in 
this volume, whose purpose it is to record the 
life records of the representative men who 
ha\e been and arc residents of Danx'ille. Mr. 
Yeoman was a leader in mercantile circles 
and by straightforward dealing, as well as 
enterprise and ability, commanded the con- 
fidence and esteem of those with whom he 
came in contact. 

A native of Massachusetts Mr. Yeomans 
was born August 24, 1835, and in his early 
boyhood days was taken by his parents to 
Warsaw. New York. His father. Rev. Na- 
thaniel T. Yeomans, was a Congregational 
minister and wedded Miss Frances Bush, a 
sister of the noted Dr. George Bush. The 
subject of this review was the eldest of their 
five children. He acfjuired his early educa- 
tion in the Empire state and fitted himself 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



497 



for college but did not pursue a collegiate 
course. Instead he entered upon his business 
career, becoming a salesman in a hardware 
store in Wellsville, New York, where he was 
employed at the time the Civil war was in- 
augurated. With patriotic spirit he re- 
sponded to his country's call for aid, enlist- 
ing in the First New York Dragoons, as the 
regiment was then known. F(ir three and 
one-half years he remained at the front. 
Joining the army as a private, his meritori- 
ous conduct on the field of battle won him 
promotion and he was mustered out with 
the rank of first lieutenant, participating in 
a number of important engagements, includ- 
ing the battles of \Vinchester, Washington 
Courthouse and the W^ilderness and was a; 
Appomattox when General Lee surrendered 
his sword to General Grant and thus prac- 
tically terminated the war. He acted as an 
aide on the staff of a cavalry general and was 
always most loyal and fearless in the dis- 
charge of his duties. He was mustered out 
in Washington, D. C, and there ])articipated 
in the Grand Review, which was the most 
celebrated military pageant that has ever 
been seen in the new world, company after 
company of the victorious army marching 
by the place from which the president 
cheered the return of the brave boys in blue. 
His brother, Henry, was also in the service 
and, being captured, was confined in Ander- 
sonville prison for many months, where his 
sufferings were so great that he died three 
weeks after his release. 

Soon after the close of hostilities Mr. 
Yeomans of this review made his way west- 
ward to Chicago and was there engaged in 
the hardware business until 1866, when It 
came to Danville and entered into partner- 
ship with A. L. Webster, as proprietor of 
a hardware store. This they conducted for 



some years, after which Mr, Yeomans en- 
gaged in the lumber business up to the time 
of his death, enjoying a large trade, because 
of his capable management, his keen sagac- 
ity in business affairs, his close application 
and his unremitting diligence. 

On the nth of May, 1870, was celebrat- 
ed the marriage of Mr. Yeomans and Miss 
Alice Merrill, a native of Danville, and a 
daughter of Guy Merrill, one of the pioneer 
settlers of this city. Her father was born 
in Massachusetts and at an early day located 
in Danville, the year 1835 witnessing his 
arrival in what was then a mere hamlet, 
frequently \-isited by the Indians. He firs 
engaged in merchandising here and later 
became county surveyor, laying out many 
of the farms of this county. Subsequenth- 
he was elected probate judge and held the 
ofiice for many years. He wedded Anna 
Kingsbury, a sister of the Rev. Enoch 
Kingsbury, a celebrated divine of the early 
days who established the Presbyterian 
church at Danville. L^nto Judge Merrill 
and his wife were born two children, but 
one died in infancy, Mrs. Yeomans being 
the younger. The Judge was a Republican 
in politics and a very strong and influential 
man in his party at the time when Lincoln, 
Davis and Sweet were noted actors on the 
political stage, and of all these men he was 
a warm personal friend. He died in 1867 
and his wife passed away in 1855. Unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Yeomans were born fi\-e chil- 
dren : Frances, wdio is a teacher in the high 
school of Sandusky, Ohio; Edith M. ; Ruth; 
George M., who is connected with the Wes- 
tern Brick Company ; and Heriry, who is 
now^ a student in the high school. 

Mr. Yeomans was a leading member of 
the Presbyterian church to which his widovv 
also belongs and for manv vears he served 



498 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



as one of the elders. In ])()Iitic.s lie 
was a Repnblican and was a very strong 
temperance man. He once ser\ed on the 
board of supervisors, but with this excep- 
tion he would ne\er hold office. He passed 
away January i6, 1897, after an illness of 
a few hours and was laid to rest in Spring- 
hill cemetery. His friends cherished him as 
a man worthy of their utmost confidence and 
regard. In his family he was most devoted 
to the welfare of wife and children and he 
stood as a high type of American citizen- 
shi]) and chivalry. 



FRANCIS M. ALLHAXDS. 

Xo pul)lic officer of Vermilion county 
was ever more faithful to duty or more de- 
ser\ing of the unqualified confidence of his 
fellow men than was Francis M. Allhands, 
and that he was ever loyal to the trust re- 
posed in him is indicated by the fact that 
he was long continued in office by the power 
of popular suft'rage. He came to Vermilion 
county in 1843 and his life work was in- 
terwoven with business and official activity 
here until he was called to his final rest. 

Air. Allhands was a native of Vermilion 
county. Indiana, born January 17, 1832. his 
parents being Andrew and Margaret .\11- 
hands. They, too, were born in Intliana and 
at an earl}' day the father came to Illinois. 
purchasing a farm in Blount township. Ver- 
mili(jn county, where he carried on agricul- 
tural pursuits until his death. But three of 
their children are now living: Rebecca, 
who resides in Fairlnu'v. Illinois; Parinelia 
Fredericka, who is also living in this state; 
and Martha, who resides near Monticello. 
Indiana. The father provided his children 
with goixl school ])rivileges, their edvici- 



tions being pursued in Indiana and in \'er- 
niilion county. 

Francis ^1. Allhands spent the first 
eleven years of his life in the county of his 
nativity and with Iiis father came to Illi- 
nois. After completing his education he as- 
sisted his father upon the farm on the old 
home in Blount township and also in Catlin 
township. During this time and while yet 
a young man he began to learn the carpen- 
ter's trade and followed it in dift'erent parts 
of the state, assisting in the building of 
many country residences and school houses. 
He was thus associated with the improve- 
ment of the county until his marriage. As 
a companion and helpmate for life's journey 
he chose Miss ]\Iar\' J. Hilliary, the wed- 
ding taking place on the 4th of March, 
1S58. The lady is a native of Ohio, born 
September 19, 1836, and a daughter of 
(leorge and Sarah (Freese) Hilliarv'. Her 
father was a native of Ohio and became an 
earl)- settler of \'ermilion county, Illinois. 
He entered land from the government in 
Danville township, for all of the district 
had not yet been claimed by the white race. 
L'pnn his farm he resided for many years, 
devoting his attention to agricultural pur- 
suits. He was also a tailor by trade and 
he followed that business for a year in Dan- 
ville, but throughout the remainder of his 
life he matle his home upon a farm and 
both he and his wife died in Danville town- 
ship. Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
.Mlhands were born eight children : Orpha, 
now deceased; Orrilla E., the wife of W. P. 
Myers, of Danville; Grant \\'.. who has 
also passed away; Nettie M., the wife of 
II. \V. Funck, of this city; Luella and Sarah 
\\'.. lxith deceased; one that died in infancy; 
and ?>Tabel E. 

After his marriage Mr. .Mlhands fnl- 
iDwed carpentering in \'crmilion countv 




F. M. ALLHANDS. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



501 



and also carried on fanning, being tlins 
engaged until after the breaking out of the 
Civil war, when in September, 1861, he 
enlisted for three years' service as a mem- 
ber of Company E, thirty-fifth Regiment 
of Illinois Volunteers. He was in many 
hard fought battles of importance, includ- 
ing the engagements of Missionary Ridge, 
Chickamauga and Pea Ridge. In the last 
named he was wounded by a bullet in the 
left leg and he was in the hospital from May 
until September. His wife being sent for, 
quickly made her way to his side, nursing 
him back to life, but it was found necessary 
to amputate his leg and he was thus left 
a cripple for life. Being then brought home 
he received an honorable discharge in Jan- 
uary, 1865. 

It was impossible for him afterward to 
do hard work and he was elected to the 
office of assessor and collector of Catlin 
township, filling that position until 1869. 
He then left the farm and removed to Dan- 
ville, where he was elected county treasurer 
of Vermilion crmntv and in that office he 
served for a numljer of terms, discharging 
his duties with marked capability, prompt- 
ness and fidelity. Upon his retirement 
from the positirm he did ^"arious kinds of 
office work in Danxille until his later years, 
when he retired to private life and rested 
in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former 
toil until called to his final home on the 3d 
of September. i8y8. In politics he was a 
stanch Republican, giving a firm suppart 
to the principles of the party. He was re- 
garded as one of the most prominent citi- 
zens of Danville and had a verv wide ac- 
quaintance among county (officials. His 
friends, too, were numerous and many ha\-e 
expressed a wish that his life record l)e 
recorded on the pages of this work. His 
widow is a meml)er of the Kimber Method- 



ist Episcopal church, of Danville, and she 
and her daughter now reside in her beauti- 
ful home at Xo. 330 Harmon avenue. She 
is also the owner of other residence prop- 
erty in Danville. The name of Mr. All- 
hands deserves to be inscribed high upon 
the role of honor of the soldiers of the Civil 
war. He made a great sacrifice for his 
country, yet he made it willingly because he 
believed in the Union and wished to aid in 
its preser\ation. In times of peace he was 
equally faithful to the old flag and the cause 
it represented, and his loyalty to his family 
and friends was also one of his marked 
characteristics. 



O. W. :sIICHAEL, M. D. 

Dr. Michael is one of the native sons of 
\"ermilion county, his birth having occurred 
in Oakwood township August 4, 1875. ^'^ 
paternal grandfather, Robert Michael, was 
one of the honorefl pioneers of this section 
of the state, liicating in Vermilion county 
when the Indians still inhabited this dis- 
trict. He came from Booneville, Kentucky, 
and was a son of John Michael, a native of 
Scotland, who. on crossing the Atlantic to 
America, located in Soutli Carolina. After 
being pressed into na\-al service and ser\'ing 
for fifteen }'ears, he managed to escape from 
the English war vessel. During all of that 
time he had never set foot on land without be- 
ing attended b\- a guard. At length, wher 
the Revolutionary war was inaugurated, he 
managed to obtain his freedom from Eng 
lish ser\-itude and enlisting in the Colonial 
arin\' he ser\ed under General W^ashington, 
fighting for the cause of American inde- 
pendence. Robert Michael, the grandfather 
of our subject, married a lady who was a 



50i 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



granddaughter of John Rutledge, of South 
Carolina, one of the signers of the Declara- 
tion of Independence. 

James K. [Michael, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, 
and after arriving at years of maturity he 
wedded Mary Burton, also a native of this 
county, her parents removing from southern 
Indiana to I'ilot, Illinois. They were among 
the early settlers of this county. James K. 
and Mary (Burton) IMichael were married 
in Oakwood township and the father there 
engaged in farming. Through many years 
he carried on that business with excellent 
success and then with a handsome compet- 
ence he retired to pri\ate life, his present 
home being in Pilot. Illinois. In politics 
he is a Democrat and has held a number of 
township offices. In his family were seven 
children: J. T., an attorney of Danville, who 
married Rose Ohmke; the Doctor; Delia, 
who died at the age of seventeen years ; Ber- 
tha, who is a teacher in the public schools of 
this county ; Chester, James and Van, who 
reside with their parents. 

Dr. Michael first attended the Newtown 
district school and afterward became a stu- 
dent in the Normal School at Normal. Illi- 
nois. He next went to Lyons county, Iowa 
where he studied under a preceptor until he 
altered the L'niversity of Indianapolis, 
there pursuing a medical course. He was 
graduated March 29, 1898, and located in 
Muncie on the 25th of April of the same 
year. Here he has succeeded in gaining a 
most lucrative practice because of his thor- 
ough understanding of the principles of 
medical science and his correct application 
of his knowledge to the needs of suffering 
humanity. 

On the 31st of December, 1899, in Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, the Doctor wedded Miss Alice 



Pricer, who was born in \"erniilion county, 
January i, 1877, a daughter of James and 
Arminta (Abbott) Pricer, both of whom 
were natives of Ohio and were there mar- 
ried. Mr. I'ricer is also a farmer ami in 
1869 he came to Vermilion county, locating 
west of Fithian, in Oakwood township, 
close to the county line. 'I'hei'e he pur- 
chased a good farm, which he continued to 
successfully cultivate for ten years. He then 
removed to Potomac, Illinois, where he 
lived for seventeen years. Here he also ai- 
gaged in farming. His next home was es- 
talilished in Muncie. where both he and his 
wife resided until the spring of 1903, wheiT 
they purchased a farm on the outskirts of 
Rossville, where they now reside. A Re- 
publican in politics, he has held a numljer 
of township offices. He is a valued mem- 
ber of the Grand .\rniy of the Republic. He 
served for four years in the Civil war, hav- 
ing enlisted in an Ohio regiment. Pie was 
in the campaign of the Carolinas, went with 
Sherman on his celebrated march to the 
sea, and at one time was captured by Quan- 
trell's band and sent home. He then re-en- 
listed as a member of Company F, Eighty- 
first Ohio Infantry, and with that command 
served throughout the remainder of the 
war. Mrs. Pricer had two uncles who were 
soldiers in the war of 1812. Mrs. Michael 
belongs to a family of ten children : Charles 
A., who married Etta Possee, and resides 
in Mahomet, this state; Luella, the wife of 
Lovette Williams, of Ambia. Indiana ; John 
L., who married Dora Tomm and resides 
in El Paso, Illinois; Nancy, the wife of C. 
C. Young, of Oakwood; Artie, the wife of 
Thomas Reynolds, of Rossville, Illinois; 
Alice, the wife of the Doctor; George. 
Tliomas and Clara, who are at home; and 
Clvde, who died at the age of four months. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



503 



Dr. Michael belongs to the Vermilion 
County Medical Association and through 
extensive reading and study he keeps well 
informed concerning the progress made by 
the profession. His specialty is the treat- 
ment of the diseases of women and children, 
and in this branch he has been very suc- 
cessful. One of his most noteworthy cases 
was the saving of the life of a woman who 
was shot through the lungs. She still lives 
although she carries the Ijullet. The Doc- 
tor has been exceptionally successful in his 
surgical work. This is due to his accurate 
knowledge of anatomy and his understand 
ing of the component parts of the body, 
combined with masterly skill in handling 
his instruments of surgery and his coolness 
and deliberation in trying circumstances 
He is examiner for the Court of Honor, for 
the Modern Woodmen of America, and the 
IMutual Life Insurance Company, of New 
York. He belongs to the Modern Wood- 
men Camp and in his political views he is 
a Prohibitionist. The Doctor possesses su- 
perior musical ability and is a proficient per- 
former on the violin, mandolin, guitar, 
clarionet, and cornet. To some extent he 
has engaged in teaching music, and his abil- 
ity in this direction makes him very popular 
in musical and social circles. The public 
and the profession accord him prominence 
in the ranks of the medical fraternity, while 
his genial manner and sterling worth have 
gained for him many friends in social life. 



W. J. PAYNE. 



I 



For six years W. J. Payne has occupied 
the position of assistant postmaster of Dan- 
ville and now practically has control of the 



office, in which the volume of business has 
largely increased during recent years. He 
was born in Vigo county. Indiana. April 
10, 1855, and is the second son of Allen 
F. Payne, who carried on general merchan- 
dise in Clay county and died there. W. J. 
Payne of this review acquired his early edu- 
cation in the public schools and afterward 
attended Grafton Seminary, at Staunton, 
Indiana. In connection with his brother he 
became the owner of some coal lands and 
was engaged in the coal business for a num- 
ber of years. On the expiration of that 
period he went to Texas and was overseer 
on a cotton plantation for two years, this 
sojourn in the south Ijeing made in the hope 
of benefitting his health. Returning to Bra- 
zil. Indiana, he secured a position with the 
Sing-er Manufacturing Company, first trav- 
eling on a wagon and afterward as special 
agent. In August, 1879, he removed to 
Rockville, Indiana, where he was again 
connected with the Singer Company. In 
July. 1887, he came to Danville, where for 
four years he occupied a position with the 
Illinois Printing Company, after which he 
became connected with the Danville News, 
serving as its business manager for eight 
years. On the 27th of March, 1897, he was 
appointed assistant postmaster by W. R. 
Jewell, and is now serving in his sixth year 
under that gentleman. During this long 
period he has become thoroughly familiar 
with the ofifice in every detail and practically 
has charge at this time. During the last 
six years the business of the office has nearly 
doubled and the ofifice force has been cor- 
respondingly increased. Danville has been 
made a depositary for postal money order 
funds and nine rural routes have been es- 
tablished, Mr. Payne being largely instru 
mental in this. 



504 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



On August 19, 1879, he was married to 
Rachel A. Oliver, who was born June 13, 
1859. Of this union nine children were 
born, seven of whom are living: William 
A., born October 28, 1881 ; Gertrude, born 
January 26, 1884; Frank, born May 18, 
1886; Harry, born September 12. 1888: 
George O., born February 28, 1894; Isabel, 
born July 26, 1896; and Joseph C, born 
September 26, 1900. 

Mr. Payne is a member of the Modern 
Woodmen of America, and is a charter 
member of Lodge No. 254, the first organ- 
ized in \'ermilion county. His political 
views are in accord with the principles of 
the Republican party and for eight years he 
has been a member of the county central 
committee and was chairman of the Dan- 
ville townsliip committee, in 1898. when the 
township was won for the Republican party. 
That for which the comnumit)- stands chief- 
ly indebted to him is his marked fidelity to 
duty and his excellent executive ability com- 
bined with an accurate, farsighted knowl- 
edge of men and affairs which constitutes 
him naturally an eminent assistant in large 
enterprises. 



GEORGE W. ['RATHER. 

George W. Pratlier. who is now en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits and stt)ck- 
raising owns a valuable farm of two hun- 
dred and seventy acres located in Ross 
and Grant townships. He has ]ilaced his 
land under a very high state of culti\'ation 
and has added to his farm all modern equip- 
ments and accessories so that it is to-day 
a valuable jilacc and in its neat .and thrifty 
appearance indicates to the passerby the 
careful sniicrvisjon of the owner. 



]\Ir. Prather is a native son of \'ermilion 
county, his birth having occurred here on 
the 15th of March, 1845. His father, 
Uriah Prather, was born in Kentucky in 
1 82 1, while the grandfather, Jonathan 
Prather, was a native of Virginia. The 
family comes of German ancestry and the 
first of the name to emigrate from the fa- 
therland to America settled in Pennsyl- 
vania. In pioneer times of \'irginia the 
family was also established in that state 
and Jonathan Prather removed from the 
Old Dominion to Kentucky, becoming one 
of the first settlers of Bath county. He 
was one of nine brothers and three sisters 
who became residents of the Blue Grass 
state. Subsequently the grandfather of our 
subject remo\ed to Illinois, settling here in 
the year of the Black Hawk war — 1832. 
He took up his abode near the present city 
of Danville and was one of the first to es- 
tablish a home in this locality. Later he 
removed across the state line into Indiana, 
his home being in Vermilion county, that 
state, and there he opened uj) a farm which 
he ctilti\'ated and inipnned. V>y trade, 
however, he was a cai)inet-niaker. and after 
establishing his home in Indiana he was 
employed in making the seats for the old 
I'nion chapel on the Prairie\ille road. 

L'riah Prather. the father of our sub- 
ject, was reared to manhood in \erniilion 
conntx', Indiana, and was there married to 
Sarah Kilter, who was born in Lancaster 
coun'.x', i'ennsvlx'ani.a, a daughter ot John 
Ritter. i k- renioxed from the i\e_\stone 
.state to Ohio, where both he and his wife 
spent their remaining days. During her 
childhood Mrs. Prather came to Illinois 
with ;i Cousin and was reared here. For 
four or fi\-e _\-ears the father of our subject 
ensfayed in farming near Danville and then 




G. W. PRATHER. 




MRS. G. W. PRATHER. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



509 



removed to a farm two and one-half miles 
east of Rossville, in the fall of 1850, pur- 
chasing more than four hundred acres of 
land, which he broke and improved, his 
richly cultivated fields in time yielding to 
him golden harvests. He died while in the 
prime of life, passing away in January, 
1855, at the age of thirty-two years and 
eleven months. Mrs. Prather survived him 
and reared her family of six children, live 
sons and a daughter, all of whom are yet 
living with the exception of one son. 

George W. Prather of this review was 
the eldest and in the county of his nativity 
he was reared, pursuing a common-school 
education, although his advantages in that 
direction were somewhat limited, for his 
services were needed to carry on the work 
of the home farm. In July, 1862, he offered 
his aid to the government for a one hundred 
days' service, and joined Company A of the 
Seventy-first Illinois Infantry, with which 
he went south to Cairo and joined the West- 
ern army. He was engaged in guarding 
railroad and government property and later 
was in Kentucky until the expiration of his 
term of service, when he received an hon- 
orable discharge in Chicago in October, 
1862. From the age of seventeen years he 
has depended upon his own resources for 
a living and all that he possesses has been 
acquired in this way. For several years 
he was largely engaged in stock-raising. 

As a companion and helpmeet on the 
journey of life Mr. Prather chose ]\liss 
Cynthia A. Beebe, their wedding being cel- 
ebrated May 10. 1877. The lady was l)orn 
near Williamsport, Indiana, and was there 
reared. Mr. Prather secured eighty acres 
of raw prairie land, which he broke and 
fenced, and the early spring plowing and 
planting was followed by good harxests in 
the autumn. He also rented other laml 
21 



which he operated and as his financial re- 
sources increased he bought more land from 
time to time until he has to-day three farms 
in the same neighborhood, comprising two 
hundred and seventy-seven acres of valua- 
ble land, on which are three sets of farm 
buildings. He has tiled and fenced his land, 
has added all modern equipments and now 
has a very desirable property which returns 
to him a good income. In connection with 
the cultivation of the cereals best adapted 
to the soil and climate, he makes a specialty 
of raising, buying, feeding and shipping 
stock, fattening about two or three carloads 
of cattle and about three carloads of hogs 
each year. He is accounted one of the suc- 
cessful farmers and stock-raisers of the 
county and certainly deserves all the pros- 
perity that has come to him. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Prather has 
been blessed with three children. Mary is 
the wife of Andrew A. Miller, a farmer of 
this county, and they have one son, Harold. 
Carrie is the wife of Louis Mouery, a mer- 
chant of Rossville, and they have one son, 
Clarence A. Albert, the youngest, is at 
home. In 1895 Mr. Prather purchased 
property and built a neat residence in Ross- 
ville, where he has since made his home 
and from this point he superintends his 
farming and stock-raising interests. Politi- 
cally he is a stanch Republican, although 
he was reared in the faith of the Demo- 
cratic party. He cast his first presidential 
ballot for General U. S. Grant in 1868, but 
had previously \-oted for Josq^h Cannon for 
congress. He has never sought nor would 
he accept political ofiice, preferring that his 
attention should be given to his business af- 
fairs. His wife is a member of the Chris- 
tian church. 

During fifty-seven years, covering the 
period of his entire life, he has witnessed 



5IO 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



the wonderful growth and advancement of 
this portion of lihnois. He hved here wlien 
the country was so new that deer and other 
wild game were to be seen and the farmers 
had to watch very closely in order to keep 
the wild geese and cranes from eating the 
young crops. Great changes have since oc- 
curred as civilization has advanced, popula- 
tion increased and the work of improve- 
ment and development been carried forward 
by a progressive and contented people who 
have made the county one of the richest 
agricultural districts of the state, while its 
towns and villages have taken on metropol- 
itan proportions and have become imbued 
with all the industrial and commercial ac- 
tivity known to the older east. Both Mr. 
Prather and his wife are highly esteemed 
in the community and have many friends 
who will be glad to read the record of their 
lives in tliis volume. 



FRANK E. KESPLER. 

This well-known druggist of George- 
town is a man whose sound common sense 
and vigorous, able management of his af- 
fairs have been important factors in his suc- 
cess and with his undoubted integrity of 
character have given him an honorable posi- 
tion among his fellow men. For twenty- 
four years he has been a resident of Ver- 
milion county, and throughout his active 
business life has been identified with its com- 
mercial interests. 

Mr. Kespler was born in Perrysville, 
Indiana, November 19, 1869, and is a son 
of E. C. and Anna P. (Neigenfind Kes- 
pler, both natives of Germany, the former 
born in the Hessian province and the latter 
in the Schlesien Province. In carlv life tliev 



came to the United States and \vere mar- 
ried in Danville, Illinois, in 1S65. Remov- 
ing to Indiana, the father purchased a farm 
adjoining the city of Perrysville, where he 
followed agricultural pursuits threnighout 
the remainder of his life, dying there No- 
xember 27, 1S78. His funeral was under 
the auspices of the United Brethren and was 
attended by a large number of friends and 
acquaintances who gathered to pay 
their last tribute of respect to their fel- 
low townsman. He was a prominent man 
of his township and was highly respected 
and esteemed by all who knew him. In pol- 
itics he was an ardent Republican and took 
quite an active part in local politics, though 
he was never an office seeker. 

After her husband's death Mrs. Kespler 
rented the farm and returned to Danville, 
Illinois, to make her home with her parents. 
She had four children, namely: Mary I., 
now the wife of Louis Steck, a farmer of 
Ogden, Illinois; Frank E. ; Anna K., wife 
of H. L. Schmidt, who is conducting a meat 
market in Danville; and W. F.. who mar- 
ried Alay Will, a daughter of Henry Will 
of Danville, and is now clerking for the Bell 
Clothiers of that city. 

I'rank E. Kespler began his education 
in the public schools of Perrysville, Indi- 
ana, and later attended the city schools of 
Dan\ille, Illinois, being only nine years of 
age on the removal of the family to the lat- 
ter city. Laying aside his text books at the 
age of fourteen he entered the drug store of 
E. C. Winslow, of Danville, as an ajjpren- 
tice. and after five years spent there he 
matriculated at the Illinois College of Phar- 
macy in Chicago, where he completed the 
prescribed course. Fie then took the ex- 
amination before the state l)oard of phar- 
macy, and passing it satisfactorily he ac- 
cepted a position as managing druggist of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



511 



the T. R. Davis drug stare at Hinckley, Illi- 
nois, where he remained two years and a 
half. He was next in the employ of Arthur 
Esslinger, a druggist of Danville, for a lit- 
tle over two years, and on resigning that 
position he purchased the drug store of 
Donnelly & Shepherd, at Germantown, 
whicli he conducted for a year. He then 
removed his stock to the McCusker block. 
No. 40 Jackson street, Danville, and after 
two years spent at that place removed to the 
corner of Main and Hazel streets, at which 
point he carried on business for three years 
and a half. He then sold out to U. J. Over- 
man, and in October, 1900, opened his pres- 
ent up-to-date drug store in Georgetown, 
where he is now carrying on business with 
most gratifying success. He makes some- 
what of a specialty of putting up physicians' 
prescriptions and family recipes. Besides 
the best line of drugs and patent medicines, 
he handles paints, oils, turpentine, putty, 
window glass, stationery, cigars, tobacco, 
etc. 

On the i6th of May, 1894, Mr. Kespler 
was united in marriage to Miss Lydia M. 
Pracht, a daughter of John G. and Rosa M. 
(Schmidt) Pracht. The father, who was 
a native of Germany, is now deceased, and 
the mother is now the wife of Joshua Schec- 
ter, a liverj'man of Georgetown. Unto our 
subject and his wife has been born one child, 
Blanche Esther, now seven years of age. 
The family is one of prominence in George- 
town, standing high in social circles. 

Politically Mr. Kespler is identified with 
the Republican party but takes no active 
part in politics aside from voting, though 
he is interested in good government. Fra- 
ternally he is a member of Ionian Lodge, No. 
502, K. P., of Georgetown ; Weltonomah 
Tribe, No. 120, I. O. R. M., of Westville: 



and Georgetown Camp, No. 188, M. W. A. 
He may well be classed among the self-made 
men of his adopted county, for his success 
in life is due entirely to his own well directed 
and energetic efforts. His store is a model 
of neatness, and with his thorough knowl- 
edge of the business and affable manner he 
is sure to meet wath success wherever he 
may go. 



J. F. McCOY. 

Comparatively few of the citizens of 
the Union have attained eminence in affairs 
of state or in military circles, but the field 
of business is limitless and the man of ability 
in his chosen calling can always win success 
if he but guides his efforts by correct busi- 
ness principles. Mr. McCoy chose as a life 
work the profession of the architect and 
builder. He thoroughly mastered the busi- 
ness both in principle and in detail and thus 
well equipped for his calling he has become 
a factor in the building interests of Vermil- 
ion county, gaining for himself a reputation* 
that is second to none in his line in this part 
of the state. 

A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. McCoy 
was born in Carlisle, that state, July 2, 1849, 
his parents being Joshua and Eliza (iNIcCar- 
rol) McCoy, both of w*hom are natives of 
the Keystone state and were there married. 
The father was a shoemaker and continued 
to reside in Pennsylvania until called to his 
final rest in the year 1876. His wife passed 
away the year previous. In his political 
affiliations Mr. McCoy was a Democrat. In 
his family were twelve children, eight of 
whom are yet living : Sarah, the widow of 
Jonathan Etter, a resident of Shippensburg, 
Pennsvlvania ; William, who resides in Car- 



512 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



lisle, Pennsylvania; Margaret the widow of 
Samuel Pystle and a resident of Roxbury, 
Pennsylvania; Ellen, the wife of William 
Keifer, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania ; J. 
Keifer, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; 
David, who is residing in Newville, 
Pennsylvania; J. P., of this review; 
Archer, whose home is in Newburg, 
Pennsylvania; and Daniel, who is re- 
siding in Blount township, Vermilion 
C(junt\', Illinois. Those who have passed 
away are as follows : Rosanna be- 
came the wife of John Wolf, and after his 
death married Mr. Burkholter, who is also 
now deceased. By her first union she had 
one child, Samuel Wolf, who now resides in 
Kirkwood, Illinois. By the second marriage 
there was one daughter, Ella, who is mar- 
ried and resides in Pennsyh-ania. Joshua 
died at the age of eighteen years, being ac- 
cidentally poisoned through eating pie while 
serving his country in the Civil war, being 
at that time with McClellan on the march 
to Richmond. Lacy became the wife of 
William McMullen, who resides in Oak- 
villc, Penns)'l\'ania, and died leaving three 
children. Rebecca was also married and 
is now deceased. She resided near Stouchs- 
town, Pennsylvania, and had one child. 

J. F. McCoy, whose name introduces 
this record, attended the district school near 
Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and when only six- 
teen years of age he became a teamster in 
the Civil war, acting in that capacity in 
Pennsylvania. When seventeen years of 
age he began learning the carpenter's trade, 
serving a three years' apprenticeship. In 187J 
he came west, locating first at Stateline, In- 
diana, where he resided for eleven months. 
He then removed to Danville and has since 
been an active factor in the business affairs 
of this citv. 



In the meantime he had married, hav- 
ing on the 7th of ^larch, 1870, near Carlisle. 
Pennsylvania, wedded Miss Martha J. Cib- 
Ixins, who was l)orn in Perry county, Penn- 
sylvania, January 13, 1851. She was a 
daughter of David and Mary (Smith) Gib- 
bons, both of whom were nati\-es of Perry 
county, where they were married, locating 
then in Blaine. Pier father was a black- 
smith and resided in the county of his na- 
tivity until his death, which occurred about 
1858. His wife long survived him, passing 
away in 1891. In their family were five 
children, of whom four are yet li\ing: Mrs. 
McCoy; Kate, the wife of Edward Hawk, 
of Danville; Reuben, who is also living in 
this city; and Da\id, who makes his home 
near Canton, Ohio. The marriage of Mr. 
and Mrs. McCoy has been blessed with six 
children : Clarence, who married Anna 
Clark and resii^es in Danville, where he is 
following carpentering and cimtracting; 
Myrtle, the wife of Robert Kinningham, of 
Danville; Kate, the wife of Harry Conno- 
ver, of this city, by whom she has one child, 
Edna ; May, who is an architect in her fath- 
er's office: Ethel and Harold, at home with 
their parents. 

In 1873 Mr. McCoy began liusiness in 
Danville, since which time he has engaged 
in contracting and in doing architectural 
work. He devotes his time largely to the 
latter branch of his business and to superin- 
tending the ci instruction of buildings. He 
has erected or assisted in building many of 
the finest structures of this city, including 
the opera house: the I'irst Methodist Epis- 
copal church: St. Patrick's Catholic church. 
St. Mary's Academy ; the Daniels building. 
He remodeled the I'irst National Bank 
building: built the Danxille high school: 
Lincoln. l'"ranklin and Grant schouls; also 




CHARLES B. HART. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



515 



the First Church of Clirist ; the Lincohi 
street church ; the Methodist Episcopal 
church at Verniihoii Heights; the Greer 
CoHege and the puhhc school, of Hoope- 
ston. the Methodist Episcopal church of 
Hoopeston and at least fourteen business 
blocks there ; the Methodist Episcopal 
church at Catlin; the Catholic school at 
Westyille; the Baptist church at Sidell ; and 
the public school there. He is now engaged 
on the construction of the Cumberland Pres- 
byterian church in Danville, the Presbyter- 
ian church in Fithian ; and the public library 
of Danville. He has erected not less than 
one hundred of the business blocks of this 
city and one hundred of its best residences, 
besides hundreds of attractive homes in the 
county. He is one of the most widely known 
architects and contractors of this part of 
the state. The beauty of the designs which 
he makes, combined with his excellent work- 
manship manifested in the execution of a 
contract, have made him an important fac- 
tor in the ])rogress and improvement as well 
as the adornment of Vermilion county. He 
has offices at No. 305 First National Bank 
Building. 

Mr. McCoy is a strong temperance man 
and his views on this subject are embodied 
in the political support, which he gives to 
the Prohibition party. He is also a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. He 
has gained for himself the confidence and 
re3]5ect of the entire community in which 
he lives by his honorable, straightforward 
career. We read of the lives of the heroes 
of the past and they not only prove of his- 
torical interest but serve to inspire and en- 
courage us, yet we need not go to former 
days for e.xamples that are worthy of emu- 
lation. The men of to-day who have won 
distinction and honorable success equal in 



exemplary traits of character those who 
have passed away and the life record of Mr. 
McCoy may well pro\-e of great benefit if 
we will but heed the obvious lessons whicli 
it contains. 



CHARLES B. HART. 

The large concourse of people who gath- 
ered to pay their last tribute of respect and 
love to Charles B. Hart when his remains 
were interred in Spring Hill cemetery, 
spoke eloquently of the place he had held 
in the affections of those with whom he was 
associated. Seldom within the history of 
Dan\-ille has there been brought together on 
a similar occasion such a large number of 
people. The deepest regret throughout the 
community was felt, for Mr. Hart had en- 
deared himself to all. He was pleasant, 
frank and jovial in manner and had gained 
a host of warm friends. Certainly he should 
be classed among the representative men of 
this city and upon the pages of the history 
of Vermilion county his life record deserves 
a place. 

Mr. Hart was born in Mooresville, In- 
diana, May 28, 1S59, and is a son of Rich- 
ard and Emma Leah (Farrend) Hart. The 
father was a native of Virginia and his 
father was of German birth, while John 
Farrend, the maternal grandfather of our 
subject, was of Scotch-Irish lineage and 
was a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Hart 
was b(.irn in Cincinnati, in which city her 
marriage was celebrated. There the father 
of our stibject worked at the carriage-build- 
ing trade and subsequently carried on the 
same business at Mooresville, Indiana, re- 
maining there for a time, or until he took 
up his abode in Terre Haute, that state. 
In the last named place he was extensively 



516 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



engaged in the carriage nianulacturing 
business. In 1871 he came to Danville, 
where he embarked in stair-building, and he 
is now superintendent of the turning de- 
partment in the Watson Planing Mill, oc- 
cupying the position at the age of eighty 
years. Such a life record of usefulness and 
activity should put to shame many a man 
\vho, grown weary of the burdens and re- 
sponsibilities of a business career, would 
relegate to others the work which he should 
perform. About fourteen years ago Mrs. 
Hart passed away. in the family were 
seven children, but only three are now liv- 
ing: Alice, the wife of L. B. Wolf, who 
resides at Xo. 16 Fremont street, in Dan- 
ville; Jesse, of Homer, Illinois; and Ran- 
dolph, of Lafayette, Indiana. 

Charles B. Hart acquired his early edu- 
cation in the schools of Terre Haute, Indi- 
ana, and of Danville, Illinois, having come 
to the latter city when a youth of ten years. 
On leaving the schoolroom he began learn- 
ing the trade of a painter, paper hanger and 
decorator, and became so expert in this line 
of work that his skill was equalled by few 
in this part of the state. He soon left the 
ranks of a journeyman to become a con- 
tractor in the business, and in his industrial 
career he prospered, his patronage becom- 
ing so extensive as to enable him to employ 
a number of men. Large and important 
contracts were awarded him i)y reason of 
the excellence and attractiveness of the 
work, and as the years passed he gradually 
acquired a competence. 

In his political views Mr. Hart was an 
earnest Republican who belie\'ed firmly in 
the ])rinciples of the party, Init refused to 
hold office. Fraternally he was connected 
with the Modern Woodmen of America, 
the Court of Honor, the Royal .Americans, 
tlie Roval Circle and the Fraternal Armv 



and he was a consistent and helpful mem- 
ber of the Methodist church. 

On the 24th of June, 1886, at the resi- 
dence of Congressman Joseph G. Cannon, 
in whose family the lady had lived for twen- 
ty-three years, Mr. Hart was united in 
marriage to Miss Lizzie A. Mclntyre, who 
was born in Montreal. Canada, Septemiier 
22, 1859. Her father, Samuel Mclntyre, 
also a native of Canada, was of French an- 
cestiy, a son of Samuel Mclntyre, who was 
born in France and carried on merchandis- 
ing in Canada. He married Agnes Hays, 
who was born in the same country, a daugh- 
ter of William Hays, who was of Scotch 
birth. Their marriage was celebrated in 
Montreal, Canada, and Mr. Alclntyre fol- 
lowed the carpenter's trade there until 1862, 
when he removed to Camargo, Douglas 
county, Illinois, where he engaged in con- 
tracting and building. Subsequently he took 
up his abode in Tuscola, Illinois, where he 
resided for many years and then went to 
Hammond, Illinois, where his last days 
were passed. He erected many public build- 
ings, residences, schools and churches, 
which still stand as monuments to his skill 
and enterprise. In his political xiews a stal- 
wart Republican, he served as constable and 
filled various township offices, taking an 
acti\e part in political affairs. He held 
membership in the Presbyterian church and 
died in that faith October 14, 1891, his re- 
mains being then interred in the cemetery 
at Camargo, Illinois. His wife had ])assed 
away when Mrs. Hart was but five years of 
age. In the family were three sons and 
three daughters : John, who resides in Tus- 
cola, Illinois; William, of Hanuuond, Illi- 
nois; Mrs. Hart; Samuel, who is in the 
west; Martha, the wife of Charles Combs, 
of Den\-er, Colorado ; and Jennie, the de- 
ceased wife of Christopher Cross, who re- 



. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



517 



sided in Tuscola, this state, and left two 
children — Harry E., who is married and 
lives in Tuscola; and Agiies, who is a singer 
of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Hart became 
the parents of one son and tuo daughters : 
Le Roy, who was born June 14, 1887, and 
is a member of the class of 1903 of the high 
school of Danville; Mabel Helen, who was 
born January 18, 1888, and is now in her 
first year in the high school ; and Gertrude 
Hazel, who was born January 2, 1891, and 
is now attentling the public school. 

It was on the 25th of August, 1902, that 
the family were called upon to mourn the 
loss of the husband and father, who passed 
away on that date and was laid to rest in 
Spring Hill cemetery. As the result of his 
business activity he was enabled to leave 
his family in comfortable circumstances, 
and moreover he left to them an untarnished 
name and pleasant memories of the many 
happy hours spent in his company, for his 
greatest interest centered in his family and he 
considered no sacrifice on his part too great 
if it would promote the happiness or enhance 
the welfare of his wife and children. Wher- 
ever he went he made friends by reason of 
his genial, kindly and sympathetic manner. 
He was always good natured and jovial 
and belonged to that class of citizens who 
shed around them much of the sunshine of 
life. 

Mrs. Hart is a member of the Fraternal 
Army, of the Court of Honor, and of the 
Tribe of Ben Hur, and she is likewise a de- 
voted member of the First Methodist Epis- 
copal church. She, too, is widely and fa- 
vorably known in Danville and with her 
family she resides at No. 437 Outten street. 
Her many excellent traits of heart and mind 
are recogiiized by her many friends and like 
her honored husband she certainly deser\-es 
mention in this volume. 



FRED H. AYERS. 

it 

Fred H. Ayers is extensively engaged 
in real-estate dealing in Hoopeston, largely 
operating in farm lands, and his own in- 
vestments in property have been extensive 
and profitable. ]\Ir. Ayres is a native of 
Grundy count)', Illinois, born in the year 
1850, his parents being William Henry and 
Eliza Jane (Benedict) Ayres. They were 
residents of New Haven, Connecticut, and 
he emigrated westward taking up his abode 
in Grundy county, Illinois, in 1846. On 
both sides Mr. Ayres comes of English an- 
cestry. The Ayres and Benedict families 
were founded in the new world prior to the 
Revolutionary war and representatives 0/ 
the latter name have frequently been men- 
tioned on the pages of American history in 
connection with affairs of prominence bear- 
ing upon the substantial development and 
upbuilding of the nation. While residing 
in the east the father of our subject engaged 
in business as a tanner and currier, and after 
coming to Illinois he secured a homestead 
in Grundy county where he carried on farm- 
ing until 1883. In that year he sold his 
property there and removed to Iroquois 
county, living upon a farm with his son, F. 
H. Ayres, until 1894. In that year the par- 
ents of our subject came to Hoopeston, 
where the mother died in ^Nlarch, 1898, and 
the father in February, 1899. Fred H. 
Ayres always resided with his parents and 
in their declining years, by his filial atten- 
tion and regard he repaid them for the care 
and love which they had lavished upon him 
in his youth. There was one daughter in 
the family, Louvicea, now the wife of the 
Rev. Dana Sherrill, a retired Congrega- 
tional minister of Hoopeston who at one 
time engaged in preaching the gospel at For- 



5i8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



rest and at Marshall, Illinois, and afterward 
went to Savannah, Georgia, as superinten- 
dent of the colored schools there. The 
father, William Henry Ayres, was a plain, 
unassuming man, who possessed sterling- 
traits of character that Ijrought him the con- 
fidence and good will of all with whom he 
was associated. 

Fred H. Ayres spent his hoyhood days 
witli his parents in the pursuit of education 
His business training was received under the 
direction of his father. He assisted in the 
cultivation and improvement of the home 
farm, father and son w^n^king together in 
com])lete harmony. He was married on the 
old home place near Morris, Grundy coun- 
ty, to Miss Mary E. Leach, a native of 
Wheeling, West Virginia, who at an early 
age became a resident of Kendall county, 
Illinois. Roth of her parents are now de- 
ceased. The marriage of the young couple 
was cclehr;ilcd on the 15th of January, 1873. 
and has been blessed with one child, Mary 
L., who is now the wife of Marion R. Cle- 
ments, a music dealer of Hoopeston. Mr. 
and Mrs. Ayres also lost two children in 

chililh t. 

I'rnm the lime of his marriage until 
1883 Mr. .\yres operated his father's farm. 
In the latter year the Grundy ])roperty wasf 
sold and he remi;)\'ed to Irof|uois county, 
settling in Prairie Green township. He re- 
mained on this place until 1894. The family 
then came to Hoopeston and in January, 
1895. our subject embarked in business with 
F. W. Nelson, as a dealer in farm imple- 
ments, harness, buggies and hiardware. This 
partnership was continued until the ist of 
January. 1902. Since that time Mr. Ayres 
has been engaged in the real-estate business 
handling farm lands on an extensive scale. 
He to-dav owns eight hundred and sixty 



acres of land in l-'ulion C(.)unty, Indiana, 
which is splendidly improved and yields t(. 
him a good financial return. The family 
home is on East Penn street and is a charm- 
ing residence noted for its pleasing hospital- 
ity. In his social relations Mr. Ayres is a 
Knight of Pythias and politically is a Re- 
publican. He served for two terms as su- 
pervisor of the township in which he was 
reared, but has ne\'er Ijecn a politician in thc 
sense of ofifice seeking. While possessing 
the qualities of a successful business' man 
and a desirable social companion, perhaps 
Mr. .\yres" most strongly marked charac 
teristic is his unswerving fidelity to duty. 
His private interests must always give way 
to the public good and thus he has become 
honored, esteemed and distinguished by all 
who have the pleasure of his accpiaintance 
or who iiave met him in a business wav. 



REV. M. M. .VLISON. 

Rev. M. M. Alison, who is now living 
a retired life in Alvin but for more th.an a 
quarter of a century was one of the enter- 
prising and ])rogressi\e farmers and stock- 
raisers of V^ermilion county, came to this 
])ortion of the state in the spring of 1864 
and has since been deeply interested in its 
impriivement along material, intellectual 
and moral lines. He is one of the worthy 
citizens of the locality that Ohio has fur- 
nished to this state. His birth occurred in 
Jefferson county, Ohio, December 15. 1823, 
and is a representative of one of the old 
families of Virginia. His paternal grand- 
father, Ross Alison, lived in that state and 
there Samuel Alison, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born and reared. As a companion 




MRS. M. M. ALISON. 




REV. M. M. ALISON. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



523 



and helpmate for life's journey he chose 
Margaret McGavran, who was of Irish par- 
entage. Thinking to better his financial 
condition in a newer region he emigrated 
to Ohio, becoming one of the first settlers 
in Jefferson county. Subsequently he re- 
moved to Jackson county, where he reared 
his family and spent his remaining days, 
being called to his final rest in 1S58, when 
about sixty years of age. Our subject was 
the younger of his two sons, the older being 
Ross Alison, now a well known business 
man of Danville. 

Rev. Alison of this review spent the 
days of his manhood in Jackson county, 
working upon his father's farm from the 
time of early spring planting until crops 
were harvested in the autumn. He then en- 
tered the public schools, where he pursued 
his studies until returning spring again 
brought new duties. After arriving at ma- 
ture }'ears he engaged in teaching in Jack- 
son and Vinton, counties, of Ohio. He fol- 
lowed that profession continuously for five 
years and druing the winter months of 
many years. Ere he left Ohio he was mar- 
ried in Jackson county, on the 8th of March, 
1849, to Sarali Salmans, who was born in 
Guernsey county, that state, but spent her 
girlhood days largely in Jackson and Vin- 
ton counties. Her father, William Sal- 
mans, was one of the pioneers of Ohio from 
Delaware. 

Different farms in the Buckeye state 
were owned and operated by Rev. Alison, 
who carried on agricultural work there un- 
til 1864, when he packed up his belongings 
and came to Illinois, accomplishing the 
journey to Vermilion county with a team 
and wagon. This was a long, hard trip, 
but at length he safely reached his destina- 
tion and purchased land in Ross township, 
becoming the owner of one hundred and 



sixty acres of land, a small portion of which 
had been fenced and cultivated, while a 
little house had also been built. With char- 
acteristic energy he began the further im- 
provement of the property and afterward 
bought more land, extending the boundaries 
of his fami from time to time until he had 
four hundred acres in one body. He also 
erected a comfortable residence and barn 
and planted two orchards upon his place. 
His farm work there was continued until 
about 1882, when he divided his farm 
among his children and purchased twenty 
acres where he now resides, on which he 
erected a comfortable home. He has since 
b(jught land adjoining the original tract un- 
til he has seventy-six acres in his home place 
and his time and energies are gi\-en to the 
further improvement of the property. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Alison have been 
born two children, who are yet living: Cic- 
ero, a prominent business man and grain 
dealer of Alvin; and Almira, now the wife 
of John N. Ross, of Chicago. They also 
lost four children, of whom two died in 
infancy. Sarah Margaret grew to matur- 
ity, married Harvey J. Stewart, and after 
his death became the wife of Andrew Cope- 
land, with whom she removed to Okla- 
homa, where her death occurred on the 17th 
of April, 1895. Rachel F. married Wal- 
lace Salmans, of Danville, and died in that 
city, in December, 1892. William and Mary 
Ada both died when three years of age. 
Mr. and Mrs. Alison have seventeen grand- 
children and one great-grandchild. 

In early manhood the subject of this 
review joined the Methodist Episcopal 
church and was afterward ordained to the 
ministry. He was first licensed to preach 
in W'ilkesville in 1852 and later was or- 
dained in Chillicothe, Ohio, about 1856. He 
has always been active in church work and 



524 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



continued to serve as a local minister of 
the church both in Ohio and in Vermilion 
county until 1900. His labors have lieen 
effective in promoting the cause of Chris- 
tianity and his influence has been a potent 
element for good in \vhate\'er community 
he has lived. When the Republican party 
was organized and nominated John C. Fre- 
mont as its tirst candidate for the presi- 
dency, he gave to it his support and has 
never \va\'ered in his allegiance to the or- 
ganization, believing that its principles are 
best calculated to conserve the cause of good 
government. He believes in ad\ancement 
along all lines tending to develop character 
and therefore is a warm friend of the cause 
of education and has lieen a member of the 
school board for a number of years. He 
also served as village treasurer of Alvin for 
eight years and is still the efficient treasurer 
of the town board. He has a wide acquain- 
tance among the early settlers of Danville 
and the northeastern part of the county, and 
is a man of tried integrity and worth. He 
and his estimable wife and also their chil- 
dren have many friends in this locality who 
will be pleased to receive the record of their 
history. 



LEVIN VINSON. 



Levin Vinson, whose well developed 
farm is located on section i , Oakwood town- 
ship, was born in Parke county, Indiana, 
February 20, 1828, and is a son of Hen- 
son and Abigail (McDowell) Vinson, both 
natives of Kentucky. At an early day they 
removed to Indiana and there they reared 
their family of nine children, of whom four 
are living: Mrs. Delia Ann Burton of Oak- 
wood township ; Levin ; Henson, who re- 
sides on the old homestead; and Abigail 



Dizard, of Oakwood township. Three 
sons and two daughters have passed away. 
When the subject of this review was ten 
years of age, the parents removed to Ver- 
milion county, Illinois, and the father ]5ur- 
chased land in Oakwood township, living 
in a log cabin while to general farming and 
stock-raising he devoted his energies. Upon 
the place which he there developed, he re- 
sided until his death and his wife's death 
also occurred there. 

Levin Vinson was educated in a log 
schoolhouse furnished with slab benches 
and greased paper windows. In the sum- 
mer months he worked upon the farm, great- 
ly assisting his father in the care and culti- 
vation of the home place, in fact, much of 
the work devolved upon him because his 
father was in poor health. He plowed in 
the earlv davs when he used a wooden mold 
board plow and a single shovel plow for 
the corn. The grain in those early days was 
drop])ed by hand. \\'hen the summer sun 
had rijiened the crops he used a reap hook 
and cradle in the harvest field. The family 
wore homemade clothing and raised the 
flax from which were spun and wo\en the 
garments. They also raised their own wool, 
which was taken to carding machines where 
it was spun and woven into cloth at home. 
Each member of the faniil\- liatl but a single 
pair of shoes a year. In order to have a 
fire they would go into the timber and pick 
punk and then with this and the flint and tow 
would make a fire, for there were no matche> 
at that time. Economy was practiced in all 
lines of life, even to the carrying of shoes 
to church by the children, who wore them 
only during the services, removing them as 
soon as they left the meeting house. The 
pioneer families dnne to church with ox- 
teams, Mr. \'inson never seeing a buggy 
until he was sixteen years of age. Many 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



525 



times he watclied liis mother dip candles be- 
fore the days when candle molds came into 
use and in the home the old grease lamp 
was also utilized. 

Mr. Vinson remained with his parents 
until he attained his majority and afterward 
engaged in breaking prairie with oxen for 
many years. He once drove eight yoke of 
oxen in turning the first furrows on the 
prairies of Illinois. In those days trading was 
done at Covington. Perrysville and Dan- 
ville, the last named then containing only 
one store. On the 12th of November, 1850. 
he married Aliss Naomi Liggitt, who was 
born in Ohio in March, 1832, a daughter of 
Jesse and Mary (Coddington) Liggitt. In 
order to provide for his wife Mr. Vinson 
continued to break prairie and follow farm- 
ing and was thus engaged until after the 
Civil war broke out. He and his brother 
John, who became a lieutenant and is now 
deceased, formed a company wdnich was 
mustered in as Company I of the One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, 
September 4, 1862, the regiment being com- 
manded by Colonel Harmon, while Mr. 
Vinson was given command of the com- 
pany. The first battle in which he partici- 
pated was at Perryville, Kentucky, and af- 
ter taking part in the engagement at Crab 
Harbor he returned with his men to Nash- 
ville. Being taken ill he only served for a 
year, resigning February 29, 1864, when 
he returned home. In the spring of that 
year he located upon his farm, where he 
remained until he went into business at 
Glenburn, dealing in meat and groceries. 
He now conducts the only general store at 
that place and he also owns one hundred 
acres of rich farming land on section i, 
Oakwood township, all of which is under a 



high state of cultivation and is pleasantly 
located a half mile east of the village. 

In politics Mr. V^inson is a Republican 
and has served as road overseer and school 
director. He belongs to the Grand Army 
Post at Glenburn, of which he has served as 
commander. In the work of improvement 
and progress here he has rtaken an active 
and helpful part, has seen the county grow 
from a wilderness to its high state of culti- 
vation and has been one of the upbuilders 
of Oakwood township, having in'oken more 
land than any other man within its borders, 
while he has made as many rails as any one 
living here. In tlie improvement of the 
county he has taken a deep interest and he 
well deserves mention among the early set- 
tlers. 



RICHARD A. CLOYD, M. D. 

Through a longer period than any other 
physician in Catlin, Dr. Richard A. Cloyd 
practiced his profession in this place. He 
was born in Georgetown, Illinois, May 24, 
1864, and is a son of John P. Cloyd. a 
leading physician of Vermilion county. The 
paternal grandparents were William and 
Julia (Northington) Cloyd, the former a 
native of Washington county, Tennessee, 
and the latter of Virginia. William Cloyd 
was a wagon manufacturer and made the 
celebrated six-horse wagon, known as the old 
schooner. He died in 1848. leaving a wid- 
ow and three children, John P., David G., 
and James W. After John P. reached man- 
hood his mother married again and by that 
union there was one child. She died in 
Greenville, Tennessee, at the age of sixty- 



520 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



seven years. William Cluyd. an uncle of 
our subject, is a practicing physician of east- 
ern Tennessee. 

John P. Cloyd has been a resident of 
Georgetown since 1869.. He pursued his 
studies in Rhea Academy at Greenville, 
Tennessee, where he completed a prepara- 
tory course and at the age of seventeen years 
he Ijecame a student in Washington county, 
Tennessee. At the close of the first term 
he started for \'ermilion county, Indiana, 
where he engaged in teaching school tor 
two years and in 1859 he came to Illinois, 
following the profession, teaching in this 
state until 1864. He then went to Chicago, 
where he entered the Rush Medical College 
and after pursuing two courses of lectures 
was graduated with the class of 1869. Three 
and one-half years prior to receiving his di- 
plnma. however, he had begun the practice 
of medicine at Yankee Point, but since he 
graduated he has been located in George- 
town and is one of the oldest physicians of 
the county. In 1859 Dr. Cloyd was united 
in marriage to Miss Hannah Golden, a na- 
tive of Vermilion county, Illinois, and a 
daughter of Jacob and Alice (Frazier) Gol- 
den, who removed from eastern Tennessee 
to Vermilion county, becoming pioneer set- 
tlers of Elwood township. Unto the mar- 
riage of Dr. and Mrs. Cloyd ha\e been born 
five children, namely : Richard ; Belle, the 
wife of Rev. D. G. Murray, of Texas: F. 
N., a practicing physicain of Westville, Illi- 
nois, who married Jessie Summers, a native 
of East Park, Indiana, by whom he has one 
child, Mildred; Grace D., the w-ife of C. E. 
Pritchard. of Georgetown; and John, who 
is now a student of dentistrv in Indianapo- 
lis, Indiana. The father. Dr. Cloyd, is a 
very prominent Mason, belonging to the 
lodge in Georgetown and to .\thelstan 



C( mimandcry in Danxille. He is also a char- 
ter member of the Vermilion County Medi- 
cal Association and in his political views is 
a Democrat. 

Dr. Richard A. Clo}d acc^uired his pri- 
mary education in the schools of George- 
town, and after completing a high school 
course there entered Wabash College at 
Crawfordsville, Indiana, as a member of 
the class of '86. Later he attended the East- 
ern Illinois College, after which he engaged 
in teaching for three years jjreparatory to 
becoming a medical student. He taught 
school altogether for eight years. He spent 
one year in Rush Medical College of Chi- 
cago, and in the class of 1890 he was grad- 
uated in the Indiana Medical College of 
Indianapolis. Subsequently he entered the 
Wabash Railway Hospital at Peru, Indiana, 
where he acted as house surgeon for two 
years. On the expiration of that period he 
returned to his native county, locating in 
Catlin, where he has since successfully en- 
gaged in practice, securing a good jritron- 
age. He is a member of the Vermilion 
County Medical Association and the Sytlen- 
ham Medical Society of Indianapolis and 
the Illinois State Medical Society. He thus 
keeps in touch with the advanced thought 
and knowledge of the profession and is con- 
timially augmenting his efficiency by this 
means and through personal reading and 
investigation. He was president of the pen- 
sion board of examining surgeons, to which 
he was appointed in 1893, and in that ca- 
pacity he served until the end of the presi- 
dential administration. He is now serving 
as examining physician for Woodman 
Camp, No. 431, and is examiner for twelve 
of the large eastern old line insurance com- 
panies. 

Dr. Clovd was married in Chicago in 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



527 



1897 to Miss May Terpening, a daughter of 
D. H. Terpening, who was Ijorn in the Em- 
pire state and whose wife, who bore the 
maiden name of Mary Pritchard, was a na- 
tive of North CaroHna. Mrs. Cloyd is a 
lady of superior culture and refinement and 
is one of the popular residents of V'ermilion 
county. She graduated from the Catlin 
schools, diligently pursuing her studies un- 
til she had successfully passed an examina- 
tion, which prepared her to become a teach- 
er. When only sixteen years of age she be- 
gan teaching and was very successful and 
popular as an educator. She has also grad- 
uated from the Chautauqua course of study 
and attends many of the annual meetings of 
the Chautauqua circle. She has gained a 
wide reputation as a reader of marked abil- 
ity and has won several gold medals in ora- 
torical contests, including the Demorest 
grand medal. She does excellent crayon 
work, but is more widely known because of 
her elocution, which ranks her among the 
best representatives of the art. 

The Doctor is a member of the Phi 
Gamma Delta, a college fraternity of Craw- 
fordsville, Indiana. While engaged in 
teaching school he enlisted on the loth of 
August, 1887, in Battery A, of the Illinois 
National Guard under Captain Edwin Win- 
ter, serving until August 8, 1888, when he 
was honorably discharged by special order 
on account of disability. Fraternally the 
Doctor is a member of the Knights of Pyth- 
ias Lodge of Georgetown, the Impro\-ed 
Order of Red Alen at Catlin, the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic 
fraternity of Catlin. He has passed all of the 
chairs in the Odd Fellows Lodge and is its 
medical examiner. He is also a member of 
the chapter of Royal Arch Masons and 
Athelstan Commanderv in Danville, and of 



the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks 
and his wife is a member of the Rebekah 
degree of the Odd Fellows society, the Roy- 
al Neighbors and Eastern Star. Dr. Cloyd 
deserves much credit for what he has ac- 
complished. His education was ac(|uired 
through his own efforts, his labors bringing 
to him the fund sufificient to meet his ex- 
penses of a college course. In his profes- 
sion he ranks high and has strict regard for 
professional ethics and at the same time pos- 
sessing marked ability in administering to 
the needs of the sick. In political faith he 
is a Democrat and is a public-spirited and 
popular citizen of Catlin. 



JOSIAH RUSK. 

It would be impossible to give an ac- 
curate account of business development in 
Hoopeston without mention of Josiah Rusk, 
who occupies a most enviable position in in- 
dustrial and financial circles owing to his 
honorable, straightforward business policy 
as well as to the brilliant success he has 
achieved. He was born in Fountain county, 
Indiana, November 11, 1838. His father,' 
Benjamin Rusk, was a pioneer of Fountain 
count}-, settling there at an early day amid 
the wild woods where he secured one hun 
dred and sixty acres of land. He died when 
our subject was less than a year old and his 
widow afterward became the wife of Abra 
ham Dove. Three children were born of 
this union, of whom two are living, David 
W. and William. George Dove, the oldest 
of the three children of the second marriage 
was for many years a prominent resident of 
Hoopeston, where he died. 

Josiah Rusk was reared in RiclinKind 
township. Fountain count}'. Indiana, re- 



528 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



maining with iiis mother after Jiis father's 
death until he was twenty-one years of age. 
He acquired a common-school education and 
on attaining his majority he started uut in 
liie for himself, going to Kansas. He there 
purchased land and made a prospecting tour 
over the state. After holding his property 
in the west for about seven years he sold out. 
Inheriting some land in his native county. 
he lised upon the farm upon which he was 
reared, devoting his attention with marked 
eiiergy to its cultivation. The old home 
place comprised one hundred and sixty acres 
and later he added to this a tract of two 
hundred and ten acres, remaining on the 
farm for four years. After his marriage he 
took up his abode near Covington, Indiana, 
and later sold his original property. About 
seven miles from the city of Covington he 
bought t\vo hundred and eight acres, part 
of which was improved, while the remainder 
was covered with timber. There he con- 
tinued his work as an agriculturist until 
1889, when he came to Hoopeston, in the 
meantime having transformed his property 
into a very valuable and productive farm. 
His wife had inherited three eighty-acre 
tracts of land southeast of Hoopeston and 
our subject purchased four hundred acres 
in this locality. Subsec|uently, by additional 
purchase, he secured a tract of two hundred 
and forty acres and still later he bought 
two hundred and eighty acres adjoining 
Talbot, Indiana. He also purchased another 
eighty acres in Grant township, Vermilion 
county. Thus from time to time he increased 
his realty possessions until they became 
quite extensive. Now all of this land with 
the exception of eighty acres in Grant town- 
ship, the Talbot farm and his town prop- 
erty, has been divided among his five chil- 
dren. 



On the 20th of April, 1862, in Indiana, 
Mr. Rusk was united in marriage to Miss 
Malinda Brown, who was born and reared 
in the neighborhood in which her husband 
spent his early life. Her parents were Jacob 
and Susan Brown, both of whom are now 
deceased. They were pioneer farmers of 
this section of Indiana and at the time of 
their death had become well-to-do, in fact 
were considered in splendid circumstances 
for that period. Her father entered about 
ele\en hundred acres of land in \'ermilion 
county, but retained his residence in Foun- 
tain county. There he died in 1884. after 
which the mother lived among her children 
and died in Hoopeston, October 17, 1895. 
Mrs. Rusk has one sister, Mrs. Miranda 
Dove, of Hoopeston. In the family there 
were originally four children, !\Irs. Rusk 
being the third. Our subject was one of 
three children and has a living brother, 
James, also one sister, Ellen Roher, de- 
ceased, who invented the New remedy for 
the lungs. Noah Brown, a brother of Mrs. 
Rusk, came to Hoopeston and was one of 
the founders of the town, the northern part 
of the town being platted upon his land. At 
the time of his death he was associated with 
William Moore in extensive real-estate 
operations. Miss Miranda Brown, the sis- 
ter of the wife of our subject, married 
George W. Dove, a half-brother of Josiah 
Rusk. Mr. Dove was engaged in general 
merchandising in Hoopeston for many years 
and his widow is still living here. As above 
stated Mr. Rusk has largely divided his 
lamletl interests among his children. His 
daughter, Sarah Susan, is the wife of Phin- 
eas Rempster and to her he gave two hun- 
dred and forty acres. John, who married 
Maggie Glover, also recived two hundred 
and forty acres. Ellen is the wife of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



529- 



Cliaiies Reynolds and she was given one 
hundred and sixty acres. Albert, who mar- 
ried Ellen Sherrin, also received one hun- 
dred and sixty acres. Miranda, the wife of 
Karl Matthews, was given a quarter sec- 
tion of land. Mr. Rempster is residing near 
Cheneyville but the other four live in 
Hoopeston. John Rusk, the second child, 
is. the inventor of the Rusk evener, and is 
giving his attention to the manufacture and 
sale of the same, in which he is meeting with 
splendid sttccess. Mr. Rusk of this review 
owns about fifteen thousand dollars' worth 
of property in houses and lots in Hoopeston. 
While not actively engaged in business af- 
fairs he still looks after his farming inter- 
ests and his town property. 

At the time of the Civil war IMr. Rusk was 
di^afted in the United States service in Rich- 
land township, Fountain county, Indiana, 
but was never sworn in. He had been reared 
in the faith of the Quaker church and was 
therefore opposed to war. In politics he 
was formerly a Democrat but is now a Pro- 
hibitionist. His wife was reared in the 
faith of the United Brethren church. After 
her marriage she joined the New Light 
church, in which Mr. Rusk held member- 
ship, but both joined the United Brethren 
church just before coming to Hoopeston. 
For many years he served as a deacon and 
was very prominent in church affairs. About 
1887, however, he became deeply interested 
in Christian Science and studied the litera- 
ture bearing upon that subject. There was 
no church organization of that denomina- 
tion here, but a reading circle was formed 
and many became interested. Mr. Rusk 
also took lessons in the Christian Science 
school, in Chicago, and after coming to 
Hoopeston he was among the leaders that 
organized the society here and conducted 



it for a few years. About 1899 the church 
was organized and secured a charter, there 
being at that time a membership of foiuteen 
which has now been increased to nineteen. 
Our subject and his wife have been leading 
spirits in the building of the present new edi- 
fice, a modern church building which -was 
erected at a cost of between seven and eight 
thousand dollars, including the ground. The 
trustees are Michael Hausz, Josiah Rusk, 
and Charles Reynolds. Mrs. Rusk's sub- 
scription to the new church was fifteen hun- 
dred dollars, and he also donated twelve 
hundred dollars. He was the treasurer of 
the building fund, is clerk of the church, 
and his wife was formerly a director but 
later resigned. Miss Stella F. Sabin was 
the first reader and Miss C. H. Catherwood 
the second reader. Before work was com- 
menced on the church not only had the en- 
tire amount necessary for building been 
subscribed, but it had also been collected 
and placed in the bank. 

In the character of Josiah Rusk there is 
something he obtained in the early schools 
where he was educated and in his early 
fanning experiences — • sometliing which 
might be termed solidity of purpose and 
which is a characteristic worthy of emula- 
tion. In the school of experience he has 
learned lessons that have made him a well 
informed man, broad minded and liberal in 
his \iews and with a charity that reaches 
out to all humanitv. 



JOHN JOHNS. 

The name of this gentleman is well 
known to every early settler of Vermilion 
countv and it is also honoralilv inscribed 



530 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



iqjoii tlie pages of pioneer liistory. for Mr. 
Johns settled here in 18J9 when this portion 
of the state was yet an unbroken wilderness, 
few having taken up their abode in what is 
now \^erniili(>n county. He was born in 
Kentucky on the 25th of May, 1805, a son 
of George W. Johns who was likewise a 
native of Kentucky and was a farmer by 
occupation. On leaving the Blue Grass 
state he removed to Indiana, where he lived 
until liis death. 

John J(_)hns accompanied his parents on 
their removal from Kentucky to Vigo coun- 
ty, Indiana, and there was reared amid the 
wild scenes of frontier life, experiencing all 
the hardships which fall to the lot of the 
pioneer. He assisted in the arduous task 
of developing a new farm and there carried 
on agricultural pursuits until 1828, when 
he returned to his native county in Kentucky 
and lived for a year. In 1829, however, he 
came to Vermilion county, Illinois, casting 
in his lot among its first settlers. He se- 
cured a tract of land in Blount township of 
wild prairie and timberland. Clearing 
away the trees he prepared the fields for 
cultivation and soon made extensive, valua- 
ble and important improvements. As the 
years passed his place was transformed into 
a fine farm and thereon he carried on agri- 
cultural ])ursuits until 1866, when having 
acquired a handsome competence through 
his untiring efforts and capable management 
he retired to private life and removed to 
Danville, where he made his home until his 
death. 

Air. Johns was twice married. He first 
wedded Aliss Jane Myers, who died and left 
two children, Charles, who is em])loyed as 
a clerk in the Temple Departmait store of 
Danville, and Amelia, who is conducting a 
millinerv store in this citv. For his second 



wife Mr. Johns chose Miss Mary Hum])h- 
rey, a daughter of John Humphrey, of Vir- 
ginia, who removed from the Old Dominion 
to Kentucky, where he entered land from 
the government and de\eloped a farm, to 
the further cultivation and improvement 
of which he devoted his energies until his 
death. By the second marriage of Mr. 
Joims were born eight children, but only one 
of this number is now living. Sarah is the 
deceased wife of Perry Copeland. Eliza 
is the deceased wife of J. H. Miller. Sue 
is a resident of Danville. Martha became 
the wife of R. S. Partlow, of Oregon, and 
has also passed away. Margaret is the wife 
of Charles Hacker, and her husband now 
resides in Danville. William H., Emily and 
Charles, have also passed away. The chil- 
dren were provided with good educaticinal 
privileges in the best schools of this city. 

In his early days Mr. Johns was a 
Whig, earnest and faithful in support of 
the party, and upon its dissolution he joined 
the ranks of the new Republican party to 
which he firmly adhered throughout the 
remainder of his life. He was cpiite prom- 
inent in public affairs and for two terms 
he served as alderman of Danville and was 
also a member of the city school board. 
Both he and his wife were members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church of Daiuille 
and he took a deep and active interest in 
church work and Avas also a zealous advo- 
cate of the cause of temperance. The first 
Methodist ser\ice held in \'ermilion county 
was at his country residence in Blount 
township, in 1829. His influence was ever 
on the side of right, of progress and of 
Christianity. In matters of citizenship he 
was true and faithful and he performed no 
unini]iortant part in the early development 
of Ibis portion of the state, contributing of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



531 



his time and means to many measures for 
the general good. He was also successful 
in his business and his name is inter\vo\-en 
with the early history of Dan\-ille county 
as that of a man whom to know was to re- 
spect and honor. 

Miss Sue Johns, the only sur\'i\-ing 
member of the family, was one of the effi- 
cient and successful teachers in the public 
schools of Danville for twenty years. On 
account of her health she then gave up 
school teaching and afterward conducted a 
private school in this city for several years, 
leaving the impress of her individuality 
upon the educational work and intellectual 
advancement in this portion of the state. 
She now owns a beautiful home at No. 
428 Franklin street and she has a large cir- 
cle of friends in Danville. 



FREDERICK HACKER. 

Frederick Hacker, now deceased, be- 
came a resident of Vermilion county in' 
1877, and for a number of years was a re- 
spected and honored agriculturist here. A 
native of Germany, he was educated in the 
common schools of that country antl af- 
terward assisted his father upon the home 
farm where he remained until his marriage. 
He wedded Miss Eliza Freis, also a native 
of Germany, in which country her parents 
spent their entire lives, both being now de- 
ceased. Fourteen children were born unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Hacker: Fred, a carpenter 
residing in Danville; Emma, the wife of 
William Evert, a brick manufacturer resid- 
ing in this city; Annie, William Ella, the 
wife of Isaac Keene, their home being with 
Mrs. Hacker; Caroline. Johnie, Eva and six 
who died in early childhood. 
22 



In the year 1862 Mr. Hacker came with 
his family to the new world, for he believed 
that he might have better business oppor- 
tunities in this country. Crossing the At- 
lantic to America, he took up his abode in 
Buffalo, New York, where he worked as a 
laborer for several years. He had a sister 
living in Vermilion county and it was this 
tliat induced him to become a resident of 
this count)'-, in the year 1877. After hi; 
arrival he purchased a farm on the old 
state road in Danville township and at once 
began making improvements, there carry- 
ing on the work of development and culti- 
vation throughout his remaining days, fol- 
lowing farming with good success, although 
owing to ill health his sons largely relieved 
him of the active work of the farm. How- 
ever, he supervised its management and his 
excellent business judgment contributed in 
a large measure to the success of the busi- 
ness. In his political views he was an earn- 
est Democrat, supporting the party from the 
time he became a naturalized American 
citizen. He held membership in the Ger- 
man Lutheran church of Danville and died 
in that faith on the 17th of October, 1891, 
respected by all who knew him. He never 
had occasion to regret his determination to 
seek a home in the new world. f(ir he found 
that the favorable reports which he had 
heard prior to his emigration were not ex- 
aggerated. Taking advantage of oppor- 
tunities offered, he steadily worked his way 
up in the business world and gained not only 
a comfortable competence but a good home 
and many friends. Mrs. Hacker is also a 
tlevoted member of the German Lutheran 
church. In 1892 she sold the home farm 
and removed to Danville, where she is now 
living with her son-in-law. Isaac Keene, at 
No. 1 1 19 Tennessee street, in the suburb 



532 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



of Germantown. She has now been a resi- 
dent of tlie county for a quarter of a centur\- 
and is widely known here. 



ALFRED ATWOOD. 

Alfred Atwood was one of the soldiers 
of the Union army who laid down his life 
upon the altar of his country, for though 
he did not pass a,way on the battlefield, his 
death resulted from his army experience 
only a few weeks after his return from the 
front. He was a native of Ohio, born in 
1823, and when but six years of age he was 
brought to Vermilion county. Li iS.)" he 
was united in marriage to Diadama Bloom- 
field, whose parents were neighbors of Mr. 
Atwood's parents in Ohio. He had been 
reared in Pilot township and in early life 
he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he 
followed for some time, Ijeing a good work- 
man so that his services were in continual 
demand. Later, however, he turned his at- 
tention to farming and also gave consider- 
able time to the work of the ministry, as 
a preacher of the Christian church. At one 
time he was pastor of the church which met 
in the Gorman school house, was also pas- 
tor at Burr Oak Grove and at Craig school 
house, before he entered the army. LI is in- 
fluence was widely felt as a potent power 
for good in the community and his labors 
resulted greatly to the benefit of the moral 
development of this portion of the state. 

As before stated Mr. Atwood was united 
in marriage to Miss Bloomfield, who was 
born in Pilot township in 1832 and 
has alwa\s lived here. Her father, 
Samuel Bloomfield, was a nati\e of 
Virginia or Ohio and in the latter 
state he wedded Margaret Kirkham, 



who was born in Kentucky and was of Irish 
descent. I'hey became the parents of twelve 
children, Mrs. .Vtwood l)eing the sixth in 
order of birth and four of the daughters are 
yet living, namely: Mrs. Xancy Mozier, 
Mrs. Eliza ^Masters; and Margaret, who is 
living with her sister, ]Mrs. Atwood. .At 
an early day the father came to Illinois, set- 
tling near Georgetown in \'ermilion county 
and subsequently he removed to Pilot town- 
ship. His remaining days were here passed, 
his death occurring upon the farm in Pilot 
township that is now occupied by Isaac At- 
wood. His widow survived him for some 
time and spent her last days in the home of 
a daughter in Missouri. 

Mrs. 2\twood was educated in the dis- 
trict school and reared under the parental 
roof. After her father's death she pur- 
chased the interest of tlie other heirs in the 
old home place of ninety-two acres and she 
secured forty acres through the division of 
the estate. They lived upon the home farm 
and I\Ir. Atwood not only supervised the 
management of the property but also la- 
bored earnestly for the promotion of the 
cause of Christianity. He was an earnest 
speaker, full of zeal lor his religion and the 
cause of the Master found in him an able 
exponent, who taught by example as well 
as i)recept. 

After the inauguration of the Civil war 
Mr. Atwood enlisted for three years' ser- 
vice, but returned home before his time had 
expired, owing to ill health. He was in a 
hospital for nearly a year, being first in a 
hospital in Kentucky, whence he was trans- 
ferretl to Chicago and there he was hon- 
oraljlx' discharged. He had joined the army 
as a memlier of Company I, One Hundred 
and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantr_\-, under 
the command of Captain \'inson and Cap- 
tain llanndii. He joined the army as a 




MRS. DIADAMA ATWOOD. 




'^■^•"-- ■■■•-^^^'j'^«I»»°«»« 




ALFRED ATWOOD. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



537 



t)rivate biit was promoted to the rank of 
orderly sergeant at Danville before the reg- 
iment was sent to the front. He participat- 
ed in no battles, his regiment being held in 
reserve. His health, however, was under- 
mined through the hardships and exposures 
of army. life and he lived only twelve weeks 
after his return, passing away on the 2d of 
June, 1865. In his political views he was 
an earnest Republican and in all life's rela- 
itons was found true to his honest convic- 
tions, never faltering in the pursuance of a 
course which he believed to be an honorable 
one. He left to his family the piriceless her- 
itage of an untarnished name and his ex- 
ample is still a potent influence for good in 
the lives of those who knew him. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Atwood were born 
four children. Mary Margaret became the 
wife of George Johnson, of Danville, and 
they have four children, Diadama, Lulu, 
Elmer and Alfred. Isaac J., of Pilot town- 
ship, married Rachel Johnson, and they 
have two children, Edna and Charlie. Sam- 
uel A. married Belle Goodner, of Pilot 
township, and their children are George A., 
Maude V., Robert and Walter. James 
William, also living in Pilot township, mar- 
ried Fannie Brooks, now deceased, and they 
had a son and daughter, Gilbert and Ger- 
trude May. After her death he rnarried 
Anna Rickard, and they have one child, 
James Russell. Mrs. Atwood also has four 
great-grandchildren. Palmer and Roland 
Craig, Marion Leland Van Allen, and Dor- 
othy L. Atwood. 

Like her husband, Mrs. Atwood is an 
earnest Christian, for thirty-five years hav- 
ing held membership with the Christian 
church, and to the cause she is most de- 
voted, taking an active interest in every- 
thing pertaining to its growth. Her young- 
est child was but four years of age at the 



time of her husband's death, so that upon 
her devolved the task of rearing the family, 
educating them and preparing them for the 
practical and responsible duties of life. At 
the time of his death Mr. Atwood owned 
one hundred and sixty acres of land, but 
before the property was divided, owing to 
the capable management and business abil- 
ity of the widow this estate had been in- 
creased to three hundred and seventy-two 
acres. She gave to each of her children 
forty acres of land, retaining possession of 
one hundred acres upon which she lives and 
she also has eighty acres in two other farms. 
She has always been the manager of her 
own landed interests, has built a home and 
barn upon her place and with the aid of 
hired men carries on agricultural pursuits. 
She has fed as high as forty-three head of 
cattle of her own raising, and has sold and 
shipped much stock. She has always han- 
dled stock since her husband's death and 
is well known as a lady of marked enter- 
prise, executive force and keen busines dis- 
cernment. She certainly deserves great 
credit for what she has accomplished, not 
only in a business way but in rearing her 
family of chiklren, all of whom are members 
of the church and are a credit to this ex- 
cellent mother. 



CHRISTOPHER MULVANY. 

Christopher Mulvany, who is filling the 
office of justice of the peace and engages in 
the practice of law in Fairmount, was born 
in eastern Tennessee on the 7th of April, 
1845. His father, G. W. Mulvany, was 
a native of Pennsylvania, while the mother 
of our subject, likewise born in that 
state, bore the maiden name of Susan 
Stansberry, and was of German lineage 



538 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



her father having been born in Ger- 
many. Mr. and Mrs. Mulvany were mar- 
ried in Tennessee and there he carried 
on farming until 1853. \\hen lie removetl 
witli liis family to Marion county, llHnois, 
making his home there until June, 1881, 
Avhen he was called to his final rest. His 
wife had died in the '50s, during the early 
childhood of our subject, and he was again 
married in i860, his second being with 
Annie E. Adams, who was born on the Ber- 
muda islands. She yet resides in Marion 
county upon the old home place. Mr. Mul- 
vany was a Democrat in political athliations 
and his religious faith was indicated by his 
membership in the Methodist Episcopal 
church. By his first marriage he had ten 
children, of whom five are yet living, 
namely : Catherine, who is the widow of 
William Hockaday, and a resident of Mis- 
souri ; Christopher, of this review ; Hiram, 
who resides in Nebraska; J. H.. who makes 
his home in Clark county, Illinois; and 
George W., who resides in Marion county, 
this state. The children of the second mar- 
riage were five in number, and three yet 
survive: Wesley. Florence and Asbury, all 
of Alarion county. 

In the district schools of Marion county 
Christopher Mulvany pursued his educa- 
tion, but his opportunities in that direction 
were somewhat limited. He was only about 
eight years of age when his father came to 
Illinois and here he was reared upmi the 
old homestead, assisting in the work of the 
farm until the 4th of October. 1862. when 
he placed his name upon the roll of volun- 
teers for .service in the Civil war. enlisting 
in Salem. Illinois, as a member of Company 
K. One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois In- 
fantry, under the command of Captain Jo- 
seph Shultz and Colonel James S. Martin 



He was mustered in at Paducah, Kentucky, 
July 3, 1863. having ser\ed for nine months 
before being mustered into the United 
States ser\-ice. After his enlistment he was 
ordered to Columbus, Kentucky, and re- 
mained there through the winter, going in 
the spring to Fort Hindman. Kentucky. 
From that place he proceeded to Paducah. 
and afterward to Eastport, Mississippi, and 
Pulaski. Tennessee. He next went to De- 
catur Junction, Alabama, and on to Law- 
renceville. Alabama, after which, uufler tin. 
command of General Giles A. Smith, he 
went on the raid against Atlanta. He took 
part in the engagement at Snake Creek Gap 
and Resaca, Dallas and Kennesaw Mountain, 
and afterward proceeded to Rossville, cross- 
ing the river on the 22d of July and taking 
part in an engagement at Xew Hope Church 
on the 28th of the .same month. He was 
afterward in the battle of Jonesboro, was 
encamped at Camp McPherson, Georgia. 
and then followed Hood to the Chatta- 
nooga valley, after which his command re- 
turned to Atlanta and joined General Sher- 
man's forces on the march to the sea. The 
next battle in which Air. ^^lulvany jiar- 
ticipated was at Fort McAlister. after which 
his division went by transport to a point 
where they landed and captured a large 
number of supplies. Throughout the Car- 
olina campaign our subject followed the 
old flag and was at Raleigh. North Caro- 
lina, when General Johnston surrendered. 
With his command he then participated in 
the grand review at Washington, which 
marched through the streets of the capital 
citv and passed the reviewing stand on 
which the president stood watching the vic- 
torious troops who had saved the national 
honor and preservefl the Union intact. In 
Mav of that vcar Air. ■Miilvanv was trans- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



539 



ferred to Company F, Forty-eighth Ilhnois 
Infantry and sent to Louisville, Kentucky, 
where he remained until June. The regi- 
ment then proceeded by steamer to Duvall's 
Bluff, Arkansas, and on to Little Rock, af- 
ter which they returned by steamer to Cairo, 
Illinois, and on the 15th of August, 1865. 
our subject was honorably discharged at 
Camp Butler. Illinois. He was mustered 
out on the 15th of September. 

Returning to Marion county, our sul.)- 
ject engaged in farming and remained there 
until August 18, 1 88 1, when he came to 
Fairmount, Vermilion county, where he 
turned his attention to teaming. The fol- 
lowing year he began work for J. H. Par- 
rish, in the grain business, remaining with 
him for seven years. He afterward spent 
two years in the employ of Mr. Benson in 
the grain trade, but during that period, in 
1883. he was elected constable. The fol- 
lowing year he was chosen justice of the 
peace and has since occupied that position, 
proving a most capable officer, his decisions 
being strictly fair and impartial. He has 
held several other offices in the village, in- 
cluding that of clerk and village attorney. 
and in his political views Mr. Mulvany is 
a stalwart Republican. 

On the 2d of October, 1866, in Paoli, 
Indiana, Christopher Mulvany was united 
in marriage to Miss Mary J. Adams, wIk 
was born in New York, September 11, 
1850, a daughter of John and A. E. (Mor- 
tin) Adams. Her father was a native of 
Ireland and her mother was born in the 
Bermuda islands, where they were married. 
They located first in Canada and in 1855 re- 
moved to Farina, Illinois, where they re- 
mained for a number of years, Mr. Adams 
being engaged as section foreman for the 
Illinois Central Railroad Company. In 



i860 he went to California, settling near 
San Diego, where he resided for twenty 
years, his death occurring there in 1886. 
He was a member of the Catholic church. 
His widow afterward married G. W". Mul- 
vany, who died in 1881. She is now living 
in Marion county, Illinois. 

L'nto Mr. and Mrs. Mulvany have been 
born seven children: A. T., who married 
Anna Crane, by whom he has three chil- 
dren, and resides in Marion. Illinois, where 
he is employed as house engineer for the 
coal company; Etta C, the wife of J. L. 
O'Harrow, a telegraph operator of Fair- 
mount, by whom she has five children : 
Charles A., a coal operator of Riverton, 
Illinois, who wedded Maggie Menzer and 
has one child, Nora, who is employed in the 
telephone exchange in Fairmount ; M. S., 
who is engaged in the jewelry business; 
O. H., who follows farming; and Gracie 
B., who is employed in the wall paper store 
of Lock & Robinson. The last four are 
all at home with their parents in Fairmount. 

Mr. Mulvany is a member of the Modern 
W^jodmen Camp and is well known in the 
town where he makes his home. For eigh- 
teen years he has filled the position of jus- 
tice of the peace, and no higher testimonial 
of his capability and his efficient service 
could be given than the fact that he has 
so long continued in this office. He is to- 
day as true and loyal to his duties of citi- 
zenship in times of peace as he was when 
he followed the old flag on southern bat- 
tlefields. 



DAVID JOHNSTON. 

David Johnston Avas born in Mason 
county. Kentucky, February 6, 1826, his 
parents being John and Sarah (Matheny) 



S40 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Jolinston. the former a native of Kentucky 
and tlie latter of Ohio. Her father was 
.Ehas Matlieny. who serxed umler Washing- 
ton in the Revohitionary war. They re- 
moved from Mason county, Kentucky, to 
Adams county, Ohio, during the infancy of 
our subject and in 1844 he came on liorse- 
back'to Vermilion county. Illinois, settling 
in the ei]ge of the prairie a mile and a half 
from the present site of Oakwootl. While 
in his native state he had worked as a farm 
hand for eight dollars per month and he 
continued to earn his living in that way until 
1850, when he secured three yoke of oxen, 
which he used breaking the prairie. That 
fall with an old \^irginian wagon filled with 
apples he started for Chicago, peddling his 
fruit along the way. In 1852 he went to 
Cliicago with a team of horses and brought 
back a load of shingles for a neighbor. He 
hauled oats to Covington, where he sold 
them at ten cents per bushel and his trading 
point in those early days was Danville. 

On the nth of November. 1852. Mr. 
Johnston wedded Mary Brittingham, a 
daughter of A. W. and Matilda (Watson) 
Brittingham, the former a native of Vermil- 
ion county and the latter of Kentucky. Mr. 
and Mrs. Johnston began life here in a 
primitive way. Her mother had given her 
a bedstead which she still has in her pos- 
session, cherishing it as a relic of those pio- 
neer times, but with the exception of this 
piece of furniture all that the little home 
contained was made by Mr. Johnston. 
Drixing some wooden pins into the logs. 
he placed thereon some boards and thus 
formed a cupboard. All cooking was done in 
skillets or in kettles in the great fireplace 
and cornbread was baked upoti a smooth 
board, placed amid the coals. 

Mr. Johnston was but fourteen vears 



of age when his mother died and he had 
nothing with which to begin life save what 
he made, but with the assistance of his esti- 
mable wife he has managed to not only 
provide his family with the necessities of 
life, but to secure many of its comforts. 
In the early days, when riding horseback, 
he run jirairie wolves down and knocked 
them 1)11 the head and he has seen as many 
as twenty-five deer at a time, while wild 
turkeys were to be shot in vast numbers and 
other wild game was plentiful. The picture 
of farm life at that time is very different 
from that presented at the present day. 
Now the farmer rides over the fields upon 
his improved plows, cultivators or harvest- 
ers, but in those days he walked behind his 
little primitive plow with its wooden mold 
board, using rope traces to guide the horse. 
There was also a wooden bridle and a rope 
head-stall. The reap hook and cradle were 
used in the harvest fields and corn was 
dropped by hand, Mrs. Johnston in her early 
days frecpiently dropping corn for her fa- 
ther in the fields. Mr. Johnston has 
cradled grain many days for seventv-five 
cents per day. He is one of the honored 
pioneers of the county and there is little 
concerning the primitive development of this 
section of the state that is not familiar to 
him. His wife was born only a mile and a 
quarter north and a half mile cast of her 
present home. By her m.'irriage she has 
become the mother of two children, but 
Matilda J. is now deceased. The son. John 
W., is a resident of Oakwood township. 
The daughter was the wife of David Young 
and at her death left a daughter, Mary F„ 
Young, who became the wife of William 
Van Allen, a son of John Van Allen and of 
this marriage there is a daughter, Grace 
Van Allen. 




EDWIN MARTIN. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



543 



It was on the 5th of March, 1857. tliat 
My. and Mrs. Johnston removed to the farm 
upon which they are now residing on section 
I, Oakwood township, where he owns tw(.' 
hundred and twenty-five acres of tlie best 
improved land of Yermihon county, all 
tiled and under a high state of cultivation. 
He is a Republican in his political \-ie\\s and 
has served as school director antl path- 
master. Both he and his wife belong to 
the Methodist Episcopal church and are 
earnest Christian people, respected by all 
\\'ho know them. 



EDWIN }.IARTIN. 



solved .to make the most of his opportunities 
and work his way upward. Early in life 
he engaged in clerking in a mercantile es- 
tablishmait, and afterward in a large 
grocer house. In 1870 he carried out his 
cherished plan of coming to America, for 
the reports which he had heard concerning 
this country led him to believe that better 
business opportunities were here aftVirded, 
nor was he disappointed in the hope that 
brought him to the new workl. He came 
directly to Danville and soon secured a 
clerkship in the dry-goods store of C. B. 
& J. R. Holloway, with whom he remained 
for se\'eral years, when, having ac([uired 
some capital through his industrjr and econ- 
omy, he began business on his own account 



When twenty-five years of age Edwin 
Martin came from the old world to the 
United States and at once took up his abode 
in Danville, where he lived continuously 
until called to the home beyond. For many 
years he occupied a creditable position in 
business circles, conducting a grocery store 
which brought to him success, making him 
one of the substantial residents of the com- 
munity. 

Mr. Martin was born in Bedfordshire, 
England, October 29, 1845, and his parents 
were also natives of that country, where 
they spent their entire lives, but they died 
during the early boyhood days of our sub- 
ject, so that he knew little concerning the 
family history. He had four sisters and 
one brother, but all are now deceased. His 
educational privileges were extremely mea- 
ger but in the school of experience he 
learned many valuable and practical les- 
sons, and early realizing that advancement 
can be secured through close application, 
faithfulness and laudable ambition he re- 



On the 30th of May, 1877, in Danville, 
Illinois, Edwin Martin was united in mar- 
riage to INIiss Laura Giddings, an estimable 
lady who proved an able assistant and help- 
mate to him. She was born in this city, 
a daughter of William and Caroline 
(Kitchiner) Giddings, both of whom were 
nati\es of Bedfordshire, England, where 
they were reared and married, Mr. Gid- 
dings clerking in a mercantile establishment 
of his native country until 1837, when he 
came to America and established his home 
in this city. He then began dealing in 
wagons and carriages, and retired from ac- 
tive life about 1865, spending his last ten 
years in the enjoyment of a well merited 
rest. He exercised his right of franchise 
in support of the Republican party, was a 
charter member of the Danville Lodge of 
Odd Fellows, in which he was honored with 
office for many years, and belonged to the 
Methodist Episcopal church. Both he and 
his wife passed away in 1875 and were laid 
to rest in Spring Hill cemetery. In their 



544 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



f;uiiil\' were nine children, of wiunn ti\e yet 
survive, namely: j. \\'., nl Danville: Fran- 
ces, the widow of John Partlow and a resi- 
dent of this city; C. H.. who makes his 
home in Evanston, Illinois ; Albert, of Dan- 
ville: and Mrs. INIartin. IMr. and Airs. Gid- 
dings were people of genuine worth whose 
hfe experience developed in them characters 
of uprightness and honor and by all who 
knew them they were held in the highest 
esteem. The home of Mr. and .Mrs. Mar- 
tin was blessed with two children. Xellie 
is the wife of E. C. Thornton, a professor 
of music in Danville and the organist of the 
First Methodist Episcopal church. His fa- 
ther is chaplain in the penitentiary of Joliet, 
Illinois. Professor and Airs. Thornton 
have two .sons — Edwin ,^1. and Jes.se D. 
William E., the only son ui Mr. and Mrs. 
Martin, is now a practicing dentist of Dan- 
ville, with an oflice in the Temple building. 
After his marriage Mr. Martin contin- 
ued in the grocery trade for a number of 
years and subsequently retired In pri\ate 
life, having in the meantime conducted a 
profitable trade. He always made it his 
habit to .spend less than his income and 
thus year by year he added to his capital 
until he became the possessor of a very de- 
sirable competence, which enabled him to 
rest from further labor. He was a Repub- 
lican in ])olitics, but refused to hold office, 
although he took an active and helpful in- 
terest in the growth and success of his 
party. An exemplary member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, he was made a Mason in 
Danville in 1880 and attained to the Knight 
Templar degree. He was also connected 
with the Knights of Honor and was a mem- 
ber of the .Methodist Episcopal church. 
He had due regard for the obligations of 
religious life, served as a member of the 
ofiicial board of the church, as suiierintend- 



ent of the Sunday-school and labored earn- 
estly and effectively for the promotion of 
the cause of Christianity among his fellow 
men. Stich labor always reacts upon the 
individual and there was developed in Mr. 
Martin's character nobility, generosity and 
bene\olence which caused him to \ye revered 
and respected by all, awakening the regard 
of those whom he met and gaining him the 
friendshii) of many. He passed away Feb- 
ruary 24, 1885, but those who knew him 
ciierish for him pleasant recollections and 
bis influence is yet felt as a moving force 
in the li\-es of those with whom he was in- 
timateb: connected. 



M.MILOX ALDRIDGE. 

IMahlon Aldridge, now deceased, was a 
man of sterling worth and uprig'ht princi- 
])lc who enjoyed the respect and confidence 
of many friends. He came of a family 
noted for their patriotic spirit, and the same 
lo\-e of country and fidelit}' to duty 
prompted his service in the Civil war. His 
great-grandfather fotight under Washing- 
ton in the war of the Revolution. His 
grandfather was a soldier in the war of 
1812 and was with Flarrison in the battle 
of Tippecanoe. His father took part in the 
Black Hawk war, being a member of the 
Flome Guard, and our subject joined the 
Union army. John Aldridge, the father, 
was a native of Ohio, born in 181 1, and was 
twice married. For his second w-ife he 
chose Grace Williams, a daughter of Will- 
irun and .\nna (Loveday) Williams. She 
was born in Cornwall, England, January 
17, 1806, and came to America with her 
father's family, in 1819. settling in W'ash- 
ington. D. C. the following vear. Her 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



545 



mother died in iS-'J and the father reni(j\-ed 
with liis family to Wihnington, Indiana, in 
1823. The daughter Ijecame a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal church at North 
Hogan. near Johnston's Mill, and ever lived 
a consistent Christian life. On the i6th of 
December, 1825, she gave her hand in mar- 
riage to John Powell, and unto them were 
born three sons and three daughters, of 
whom one is living, Mrs. S. A. Cornelius, 
of Sidell, Illinois. They lived happily to- 
gether until his death, and in 1841 she gave 
her hand in marriage to John Aldridge. 
By the second marriage she had but one 
child, the subject of this sketch. 

Mahlon Aldridge, whose name intro- 
duces this record, began his education in the 
schools of Indiana, and at the age of ten 
years he became a resident of the vicinit 
of Fairmount. He resided in this portion 
of the state throughout his remaining days, 
with the exception of a period of five years 
spent in West Lebanon, Indiana. In early life 
he became a factor in the operation of his 
father's farm, and continued to assist in its 
cultivation until eighteen years of age, when 
his patriotic spirit being aroused bv the at- 
tempt of the south to overthrow the Union, 
he enlisted in the Thirty-fifth Illinois In- 
fantry, as a member of Company B. Later, 
on the 6th of August, 1862, he became a 
member of Company E., Seventy-third Illi- 
nois Infantry, in which he held the rank of 
sergeant. He took part in many important 
battles of the war up to the battle of Frank- 
lin, Tennessee, on the 30th of No\'em- 
ber, 1864, at which time he was wounded 
in the shoulder by a rifle ball. He was then 
sent to the hospital at Nashville, Tennes- 
see, where he remained for a short time, af- 
ter which he was transferred to the hospital 
in Cairo, Illinois, where he remained for 



ten months. On the expiration of his term 
of enlistment he was hnnoralily discharged, 
the war having ended. 

In 1865 Mr. Aldridge returned to Fair- 
mount, and engaged in clerking with his 
father, later becoming a partner in the store. 
In 1866, however their business was de- 
stroyed by fire and at that time our subject 
removed to a farm, where he remained 
until 1 87 1. The following five years were 
spent at West Lebanon, Indiana, after 
which he returned to Illinois, beginning 
farming in \'ance township, \"ermilion 
county, where he had two hundred acres of 
good land. To the! further de\'elopment 
and improvement of this property he de- 
voted his energies until his death, and was 
a progressive and leading agriculturist of 
his community. 

On the 6th of November, 1866, Mr. 
Aldridge was married in Logansport, In- 
diana, to Miss Maggie Braught, who was 
born in Monticello, Indiana, September 12, 
1845, a daughter of William and Adeline 
( Reame) Braught, the former a native of 
Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Their 
marriage, however, took place in Monti- 
cello, Indiana, where they began their do- 
mestic life, the father following cabinet- 
inaking there until 1850, when he was called 
to his final rest. The mother survived him 
only about two years. In his political views 
he was a Republican and fraternally he was 
a Mason, while in religious faith he was a 
Presbyterian and long filled the position of 
elder in his church. In his family were 
three children. Alva W. Braught, the 
brother of Mrs. Aldridge, was in the regu- 
lar army when last heard of. Her sister, 
Mrs. Caroline Graham, resides in Gossport, 
Indiana. 

Unto our subject and his wife were bom 



546 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



eight children. Charles L., the eldest, born 
August 8, 1867, is an official in the state 
penitentiary at joliet. Illinois. He wedded 
May Towner, who died November 9, 1899, 
leaving fi\-e children, of whom four are now 
living, Stella, Edna, Opal and Roy. 
George L., born March 15, 1869, resides in 
Fairmount. John William, born August 5, 
1S70, enlisted in the regular army during 
the Si)anisli -American war, becoming a 
member of Company G, Third Regiment. 
He was in the sharp and sanguine engage- 
ments at Santiago, El Caney and Saboney 
and was with Colonel Roosexelt and his 
Rough Riders in the charge on San Juan 
Hill. He contracted yellow fever, which 
reduced his weight from one hundred and 
sixtv-tive pounds to eighty pountls, and dieil 
from the effects of his service on the 24th 
of August, 1902. Clara Belle, born Feb- 
ruary 27, 1872, is the wife of L. McAllister, 
a farmer residing near Indianola, Illinois, 
and they have five children, Grace, Claude, 
Virginia, Yenl and Aldridge. Emma 
Blanche, born October 17, 1873, is the wife 
of W. E. ^Morrison, of Jamaica, Illinois, 
and they have two daughters, Mary M. and 
Jessie. Harry F., born March 2, 1875, 
married Phebe Hague and resides in Deer 
Lodge, Montana. At the beginning of the 
Cuban war he enlisted at Pekin, Illinois, 
in Company L, Fifth Illinois Infantry, but 
was afterward transferred to Company H 
of the same regiment. He remained in the 
service until the close of the war but his 
regiment never left the United States. 
Mahlon Ray. burn I-Aliruary i, 1878, is liv- 
ing in Butte, Montana. Grace A., born 
February 15, 1880, was married on the 30th 
of April, 1902, to Charles Dougherty, and 
they now reside in Fairmount, Illinois. 
Mr. Aldridge, whose name introduces 



this review, was a stalwart Republican but 
though he believed firmly in the principles 
of the party and did all in his power to pro- 
mote its growth and insure its success, he 
ever refused to hold office. He passed away 
January 24, 1888, and was laid to rest in 
FairniDunt cemetery. He had been a valued 
member of the Odd Fellows Society and of 
the Grand .Vrmy of the Republic and was'' 
a man who in all the relations of life was 
true to upright principles and of sterling 
worth. In 1890 his widow removed with 
her family to Sidell and in 1892 took up 
her residence in I'airmount, where she is 
now living. She now has in her possession 
a birch cane which was cut on the Tippe- 
canoe battle ground May 20. 1840, by her 
father, William Braught. That same day 
he and a companion killed a deer and 
divided the horns. A part of one of these 
was used to adorn the cane. Mrs. Aldridge 
has been offered fifty dollars for this cane 
by the war museum of Indianapolis luit has 
refused to part with it. The Aldridge fam- 
ily has long been a prominent and influential 
one here and the members of the household 
occupv an envialile position in S(icial circles. 



JO FIN IM. DOUGLASS. 

John 'M. Douglass is a retired farmer 
and pioneer settler of \'ermilion county, 
living in Catlin. He was born in Ripley 
county. Indiana, .August 23, 1823. His fa- 
ther, Thomas W. Douglass, was born on 
the T'enobscot river in I\laine and emigrated 
to Dearbiirn county. Indiana, settling near 
Rising Sun. He married l^elilah Payne, a 
native of New York, and they became the 
parents of twelve children, ten of whom 




J. M. DOUGLASS. 




THOMAS W. DOUGLASS. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



551 



reached adult age, while seven are yet liv- 
ing, the subject of this review being the 
fourth in order of birth. The fatlier was a 
fanner by occupation and on coming to Illi- 
nois he drove through the black swamps of 
Indiana, while the wheels would sink into 
the mud to the hubs. He arrived here in 
the spring of 1830, several families making 
the trip together. Here he entered two hun- 
dred and forty acres of land upon the sec- 
tion where the county farm is now located. 
The tents of the Indians were still pitched 
in the forests and the redmen roamed over 
the prairies. The wohes then were more 
numerous than rabbits at the present day 
and there were many kinds of wild game, 
including turkeys, geese, prairie chickens 
and deed. The Douglass family lived in a 
double log house for over thirty years, 
which the father had built. It had a stick 
and clay chimney and wood was used for 
fuel, for although there was coal in abund- 
ance in this part of the state, its utility was 
not recognized. Chicago was the main 
trading point and often trips were made to 
New Orleans in flatboats with cattle and 
hogs, business being conducted at various 
river points along the way. The father 
frecjuently hauled pork to Chicago and re- 
turned home with salt and other provisions, 
also with leather to make shoes for the chil- 
dren. The mother used to spin and weave 
all the cloth, for the clothing, making thread 
from tiax. Fires were often lighted with 
punk gathered in the timber and ignited by 
means of flint and tow. Camp meetings 
were often held in the forests where the tal- 
low candles furnished light and the girls of 
the household frequently went to church 
barefooted, carrying their shoes until they 
neared the house of worship and removing 
them after the service was over. Mr. Doug- 
lass of this review hauled wheat to Chicago 



when in his seventeenth year and at that 
time he camped out at night, forded the 
rivers and carried with him provisions for 
the trip, d(jing his own cooking. Sucli a trip 
consumed seven days and on reaching the 
market wheat was sold for fifty cents a 
bushel. He visited Chicago in 1846 when 
it was but a hamlet and Danville contained 
only a few log cabins and one store. The 
father died in the village of Catlin in Octo- 
ber, 1865, and the mother passed away in 
September, 1856. Three of their sons en- 
tered. the army and but one of the number is 
now living, he being a resident of Kansas. 
Mr. Douglass also has a sister in that state 
and another in Iowa. 

John M. Douglass attended school al- 
together for only six months and during 
that time he sat upon a slab Ijench in a 
hewed log school building, lighted by 
greased paper windows. His training' at 
farm labor, however, was not meager and 
he v.'orked in the fields with a plow having 
a wooden mold board and cultivated the 
com with a single shovel. The single rope 
line was used in dri\'ing the horses as leather 
harness had not been introduced. The girls 
of the household would drop the corn, keep- 
ing up with the plow. The grain was first 
cut with a sickle and afterward with a cra- 
dle. 

Mr. Douglass was but seven years of 
age when he came with his parents to this 
coimty and when he attained his majority 
he started out in life for himself. He was 
married November 14, 1844, to INIahala 
Burroughs, who was born April 3. 1824, a 
daughter of Jesse and Polly (Wilson) Bur- 
roughs. They became the parents of nine 
children: Judith A., the wife of Joseph 
Tristler; \\'infield S., who married Lizzie 
Clark; Mary Delilah, who died at the age of 
two vears ; Thomas Wilson, who died in 



552 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



infancy; Clarissa, the wife of James Clip- 
son, of Catlin township; Maliala, the wife 
of Charles Birley. of Cathn township; Per- 
melia, who died in infancy; Arniilda. the 
wife of Richard O'ConneU; and Esther, 
who died when only a week did. The liv- 
ing children are residents of Catlin town- 
ship with the exception of W. S. Douglass, 
who resides in the \'illage. 

John ]\I. Douglass of this review pur- 
chased two hundred acres of land on sec- 
tion 1 6, Catlin township, at three and one- 
half (liillars per acre in 1852. His son-in- 
law now lives on this property, which is 
one of the best improved farms of the coun- 
tv. It is equipped with a fine residence, 
substantial outlnnldings. a splendid lawn and 
the richlv cultivated fields are also supple- 
mented by a forty acre timber tract. In 
18S7 Mr. Douglass was called ui)on to 
mourn the loss of his wife, who died on 
the 1 0th of October, of that year. On the 
30th of November. 1892, he was again mar- 
ried, his second union ])eing with Laura A. 
Stone, who was born at Irish Crove. Sanga- 
mon cotmty, Illinois. 

In politics Mr. Douglass is a Democrat 
and is a memljer of the Cumberland Pres- 
byterian church of Catlin. with which his 
family is also connected. He likewise be- 
longs to the Masonic lodge of Catlin. He 
has resided in the village since the fall of 
1901. enjoying a well earned rest from fur- 
ther labor. He saw the first plank laid in 
that village and has witnessed its entire de- 
veloi)ment, in fact, has seen nearly the en- 
tire growth and progress of the county as it 
has merged from the conditions of frontier 
life to take its place among the richest and 
most prosperous districts of this great state. 
I\Ir. Douglass is now in his seventy-ninth 
year, a venerable man, whose worth is wide- 
Iv acknowledged. 



ARTHUR JOXES. 

Arthur Jones belongs to a ])rominent 

and highly honored family of X'ermilion 

county and is now living upon a farm on 

section 20. Elwood township. He was 

born in this township on the 5th of January. 

1879, '""'^ parents being Ira G. and Rhoda 

J. (Weller) Jones. The father is a native 

of Pennsylvania and in his boyhood days 

accompanied his parents to Indiana, whence 

he afterward came to Elwood township. 

\'ermilion county. Illinois. He represented 

a family long connected with agricultural 

pursuits and was the youngest of a number 

of children, but he is now the only snr- 

\ivor. Ira Jones is an enterprising and 

prosperous man who has conducted exten- 

si\-e and important Inisiness interests, and 

he now owns nearly three thousand acres 

of the finest farming land of this state. He 

resides in Ridgefarm at the present time and 

is accounted one of the extensive land 

owners and capitalists as well as a citizen 

of sterling worth. His wife was Ijorn in 

Indiana, and in Newport that state gave her 

hand in marriage to ^Ir. Jones whom she 

then accompanied to Illinois. All of their 

children were born in this county. Mrs. 

Jones had three half sisters and three half 

brothers. Early in life the father of our 

subject married a Miss Connor, and there 

were five children by that marriage. By 

his marriage to the mother of our suliject 

there were the following children. Perl, 

the husband of .Alice Davis, by whom she 

has three children, is employed in a planing 

mill and lumber yard in Ridgefarm; 

h'rank. a resident farmer of Edgar county, 

has two children ; and Arthur. 

Having acf[uired his early education in 
the common schools, .\rthur |ones after- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



553 



ward pursued a high school course. He 
was early trained to the work of the home 
farm, assisting in the labors of field and 
meadow during his boyhood days. On the 
17th of September, 1902, he married Nettie 
Cooke, a daughter of Joseph F. and Dru- 
silla (^ Campbell) Cooke, residents of Love 
township, Vermilion county. Her father 
is a native of Indiana and her mother of 
Missouri. They are now following farm- 
ing in this locality. Their children are 
Mrs. Jones; Roy, of Indianapolis, who is 
now twenty-one years of age ; Mrs. May 
Hughes, who is eighteen years of age an< 
lives in Humrick ; Clay, Blanche, Harley, 
Lura, and Glen, aged respectively fourteen, 
eleven, nine, seven and four years and all 
yet under the parental roof. Mrs. Jones 
was born on the ist of December, 1879. 
in Edgar county, Illinois, and after attend- 
ing the common schools continued her 
studies in the Bloomingdale Academy. She 
is a member of the Cumberland Presbyter- 
ian church and Mr. Jones belongs to the 
Knights of Pythias fraternity and to the 
Modern Woodmen. In politics he is a Re- 
publican and is a young man of energy 
and enterprise now successfully engaged in 
farming on section 20, Elwood township. 
He has always li\ed in this township and is 
widelv known among its citizens. 



A. R. SAMUEL. 



A. R. Samuel is cashier of the Second 
National Bank of Danville, and from a 
humble position in the business world he 
has risen until he is now known as one of 
the leading financiers of the city of his adop- 
tion. He was born in Philadelphia, Penn- 
sylvania, on the 31st of March, 1859, and 



is a son of A. R. and Catherine (Boden) 
Samuels, the former a native of Wales. 
When a boy of twelve years the father came 
to America with his parents, locating in 
Philadelphia where he learned the trade of 
a glass manufacturer. Subsequently he en- 
gaged in the manufacture of glass under 
the name of the Keystone Glass Works, of 
which he was sole proprietor. This enter- 
prise became an extensive and important 
one and contributed to him a \ery liberal 
income. He died in 1871 at the age of 
fifty-six years and his wife, surviving him 
until 1883, passed away at the age of sixty- 
six years. In their family were seven chil- 
dre, six sons and three daughters, of whom 
three are yet living, Mf. Samuel of this re- 
view being the youngest. The others are : 
John B., a resident of California, and H. H., 
who is living in Philadelphia. The maternal 
ancestors of our subject were of an old Penn- 
sylvania family that resided near Harris- 
burg. 

A. R. Samuel pursued his education in 
the public schools of Philadelphia. At the 
age of thirteen he went into business for 
himself, thus entering mercantile life at an 
early age, on account of his father's failure, 
caused by the wide-spread financial panic 
of 1873. He was first employed as a clerk 
in a grocery store in Philadelphia, receiv- 
ing three dollars per week. A few years 
afterward he went into a liank, becoming 
an employe in the \\'estern National Bank, 
of Philadelphia, where he was employed at 
twenty dollars a month, giving up a position 
of thirty dollars in order to accept this be- 
cause he desired to learn the banking busi- 
ness. He first acted as messenger boy, but 
steadily was he advanced, promotion com- 
ing to him in recognition of his ability, close 
application and trustworthiness. Upon 



554 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



leaving the institution lie was occupying the 
position of cashier's clerk. In November, 
1881, however he severed his business rela- 
tions with the east and came to Danville, 
arriving here on the 30th of the month. 
On the 1st of December, 1881, the Second 
National Bank sprang into existence as a 
result of the organizing efforts of Mr. Sam- 
uel, who has since been connected with the 
institution. He at first occupied the posi- 
tion of bookkeeper and after ninety days 
was appointed teller, while within a few 
months he was made assistant cashier. In 
1888 he was elected cashier and has since 
continued in this position. Upon the death 
of William P. Cannon he was also chosen 
vice-president, holding the dual office at the 
present time. He has been a xery promi- 
nent factor in the growth of the institution. 
He is thoroughly familiar with the banking 
business in every department and in every 
detail, and he considers nothing connected 
with the institution too unimportant to re- 
ceive his attention. This has been one of 
the salient features in his career and has 
contributed in no small degree to the pros- 
perity of the institution. He has always 
followed a safe, conservative policy in 
handling financial questions and interests 
and his work has been of marked benefit to 
the Second National Bank. A man of 
strong executive force" and excellent busi- 
ness foresight. Mr. Samuel has extended 
his efforts in various lines. He was for 
several years one of the owners and was 
occupying the position of treasurer of the 
street railway company from the organiza- 
tion of the company in 1886 until 1900. 
when the plant was sold to eastern capital- 
ists. This company also controlled the gas 
and electric light plant in connection with 
its realtv interests. 



On the 6th of November, 1889, Mr. 
Samuel was united in marriage to Miss 
(iertrude T. D. Daniel, a -daughter of A. C. 
Daniel. L'ntu Mr. and Mrs. Samuel ha\-e 
been born two children, but both are now 
deceased. They ha\e also an adopted 
daughter, Rosetta. who was the daughter 
of his brother John B. Samuel. They 
adopted her legally and she has since been 
a member of the household. Mr. Sam- 
uel is a man of broad humanitarian spirit, 
progressive and enterprising, and at the 
present time he is serving as a director of 
the Lake View Hospital. Socially he is 
identified with the Knights of Pythias fra- 
ternally and with the Benevolent and Pro- 
tective Order of Elks. In politics he is a 
stalwart Republican and has served as 
township school treas'urer, but the honors of 
office have had little attraction for him as 
he has preferred to devote his time and en- 
ergies to his business aft'airs. There has 
been nothing sensational in his career. 
Every step has been thoughtfully and de- 
liberately made and every advance has been 
at the cost of hard and self-denying labor. 
He stands to-day a strong man — strong in 
the consciousness of well spent years, strong 
to plan and perform, strong in his credit and 
good name and a worthy example for young 

men. 

•-■•-♦ 

THOMAS DUFFIN. 

Thomas Duffin. a retired farmer and 
man of wealth living in Grant township, 
Vermilion county, was born in Lincolnshire, 
England, in 1831, five generations of the 
familv living in the same house in Lincoln- 
shire, and the old home place is now occu- 
pied bv his brother John. His parents were 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



555 



John and Jane (Holmes) Duffinj who spent 
their entire hves in England. In their fam- 
ily were thirteen children, ten of whom are 
now living, the subject of this review being 
the eldest. 

At the age of nine years Thomas Duffin 
left school and began earning his own living, 
He remained in Lincolnshire until twenty- 
one years of age and on crossing the At- 
lantic to America he located in Plymouth, 
Ohio, where he was employed as a farm 
hand for a year. He then returned to his 
native country and while there was united 
in marriage to Miss Charlotte Arnold. 
Bringing his bride to the new world he then 
again took up his abode in Plymouth, Ohio. 
In 1864 lie came to Vermilion county, Illi- 
nois, where he purchased one hundred and 
sixty acres- of land at nine dollars per acre. 
He now has a valuable farm of one hundred 
and eighty acres which is under a very high 
state of cultivation and well improved, with 
all modern equipments. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Duffin has 
been blessed with six children who are yet 
living. They also lost three. John H., the 
eldest, married Etta Carl. George wedded 
Lillie Raridan and is living in Grant town- 
ship. L. J. is the next of the family. F. 
G., the present treasurer of Grant township, 
married Marintha Smith, a daughter of 
Rhodes and Minerva (Cossey) Smith, who 
are residents of Hoopeston, the father being 
a retired farmer. The daughter was born 
in Indiana and by her marriage she has be- 
come the mother of one son, Russell 
Maurice. F. G. Duffin and his wife have 
an adopted daughter, Vena, who is now ten 
years of age. For some years F. G. Duffin 
engaged in teaching, and for one year was 
principal of the schools of Cheneyville. At 
the present time he is engaged in studying 



law in Bloomington, Illinois. The next 
member of the family is P. S., who was 
principal of the Lincoln school of Hoopes- 
ton, and is now a student. The youngest 
member of the family is Charles A. The 
three sons, F. G., P. S. and C. A. are all 
graduates of Greer College, of Hoopeston, 
and the wife of the first named is likewise 
a graduate of that college. 

In 1893 Mr. Duffin of this review was 
called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, 
who died in the month of July and was laid 
to rest in Floral Hill cemetery, of Hoopes- 
ton. He belongs to the Church of England, 
while his children are members of the Chris- 
tian church. In politics he has always been 
a Republican, earnest and faithful in sup- 
port of the party. About five years ago he 
practically retired from farm life, while his 
sons operate his land. He placed all of the 
improvements upon his farm, however, and 
they are the visible evidences of his life of 
industrv and earnest toil. 



CHARLES M. LEWIS. 

Charles M. Lewis, an architect of Dan- 
ville, was born in Macon county, Illinois, 
No\ember 18, 1873. He is therefore yet 
a young man and is just reaching the zenith 
of his powers. His business is annually 
growing both in volume and importance, 
and to-day he is a leading representative of 
his line of industrial activity in the city 
where he makes his home. His father. 
Charles S. Lewis, was a native of New Jer- 
sey, and in this state was married to Nancy 
Clements, a native of Kentucky. They 
located at Blue Mound, Illinois, where the 
father engaged in the lumber business for 
some years, but is now living retired. He 
is a Democrat who has been honored with 



55& 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



many local offices and is a member of the 
Christian church. He had but two chil- 
dren, the sister ot (,)ur subject being Sarah, 
the wife of Elton Nichols, a resident of Blue 
Mound, by whom she has two children. 

Charles M. Lewis attended the public 
schools of Alacon county and the business 
college of Decatur, while later he became a 
student in the University of Illinois, and 
was graduateil from the architectural de- 
partment with the class of 1896. He was 
afterward associated with his father in the 
lunil.ier business for a year and a half, and 
then came to Danville, where he secured a 
position under the government in the arch- 
itectural department, building the Soldiers' 
Home at that place. Afterward he opened 
an office of his own in the Temple building 
and has since made his headquarters here 
and has been connected with the construction 
of many of the important buildings here. 
He is also a stockholder of the Danville 
Artificial Ice & Cold Storage Company and 
tile Western Ice & Cold Storage Company 
of Indianapolis. 

On the 2 1 St of April, 1898, in L'rbana, 
Illinois, ]\Ir. Lewis was married to Miss 
Marian Wright. l)ut on the 2y\ of May, 
1899, she passed away. Her father. Judge 
F. M. Wright, was a prominent member of 
the Court of Claims of the United States. 
]\Ir. Lewis is a Republican in his pi)Iitical 
views, a member of the Elks Society, and of 
the Sigma Chi fraternity of the State Uni- 
versity. 

« ■ » ■ — 

S.\Ml LL PERRY LE NEVE. 

Samuel I'erry Le Neve is one of the 
prominent and iKjnored pioneer settlers of 
Newell township, his birth having here oc- 



curred on December 2^, 1828. He is a son of 
Jolm and Rebecca (Newell) Le Neve, his* fa- 
ther a native of Tennessee and his mother of 
Harrison county, Kentucky. They were 
among the earliest settlers of Newell town- 
ship and of Vermilion county. The mother 
was a daughter of William Newell, in whose 
honor Newell township was named. The 
father of our subject began life with the 
modest capital of one hundred and thirteen 
dollars and fifty cents. With this he pur- 
chased eighty acres of timl^r and prairie 
land at one dollar and a quarter per acre. 
He then had remaining just thirteen dollars 
and fifty cents with which to begin house- 
keeping. He made rails to pay for the first 
cow he possessed, and he made a place for 
their dishes by driving pins in a log of the 
cabin and placing a board on them. This 
old log house was the birthplace of Samuel 
P. Le Neve and he was there reared. John 
Le Neve came to Vermilion county with his 
parents in an old "prairie schooner." The 
parents settled seven miles west of Vin- 
cennes, on Elliston prairie, and there spent 
their remaining days. John Le Neve was 
engaged in general farming and was a noted 
stock man of his locality, raising a fine 
grade of stock and deriving a good income 
from the sale of the same. He spent his re- 
maining days on the old homestead in New- 
ell tov,nship. and his wife also was called 
to her final rest while living there. 

The brothers and sisters of our subject 
shoidd also be mentioned in connection with 
the family history as they have all borne 
important ]iarts in the development of the 
communities in which they have resided. 
Samuel I'erry is the oldest of tlie family. 
Isabel Martin, the second in order of birth, 
is deceased. \\'illiain, who was a well 
known and honored resident of Indiana, 




S. p. LE NEVE. 




MRS. S. P. LE NEVE. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



561 



died there ^larch 16, 1902, after a life tilled 
with good deeds. He lirst married Emma 
Smith, of Champaign county, Illinois, by 
wiiom he had two children and after her 
death married IMinnie Mills. Their chil- 
dren were Emma and John S., deceased; 
Santford W. ; Lilly, Thomas ; Samuel ; 
Laura and Nellie, twins. John, the fourth 
member of the Le Neve family, is deceased. 
Seraphine married John S. Webber, a res- 
ident farmer of Paxton, Illinois, and they 
had eight children : Perry, deceased ; Al- 
mond Flavins, who married Hattie Har- 
nett ; John ; Charlie ; Lincoln ; Julia, the wife 
of Henry Corbly, of Champaign county ; 
Nettie, the wife of l-'rank Voule and the 
mother of one son; and Ross, now Mrs. 
Stanley Sutton, who also has one son. The 
si:cth member of the Le Neve family is Al- 
mond N., whose sketch appears on another 
page of this volume. Mrs. Mary J. Leon- 
ard is deceased and left two children. Perry 
and Belle. Thomas, who died in infancy, 
completes the family. 

Samuel Perry Le Neve of this re\'ie\v 
spent the days of his boyhood and youth on 
the old home farm, assisting his father in 
the spring, summer and fall and attending 
the district schools during the winter sea- 
sons. His early education was supple- 
mented by attendance in the Danville high 
school. His first attendance was in a log 
schoolhouse where they sawed off the logs 
for benches and put in pins for legs. They 
had a long desk made of slabs, and the light 
came through an aperture that was covered 
with oiled paper. Later he entered the 
Georgetown high school, where he contin- 
ued until his senior year. In 1832 he went 
to California by way of New Orleans, the 
Gulf of Mexico and the Isthmus of Pana- 
ma, crossing that neck of land by way of 
the Chagres river, and on reaching the 

23 



other side he found seven thousand passen- 
gers awaiting transportation to California. 
After a delay of nineteen days he secured 
passage on the John J. Russell to San Fran- 
cisco. After leaving the isthmus he was out 
fifty-three days, during which time he near- 
ly died from starvation and was put on an 
allowance of one-half pint of water per day. 
At the republic of Mexico he remained for 
twenty-two days and later he purchased a 
ticket on the Golden Gate steamship and 
went through to San Francisco. His first 
work done in the western country was iu 
the mines of Marysville, California. He re- 
ceived eighty dollars and later one hundred 
and ten dollars per month for his services, 
and was finally advanced to one hundred 
and twenty dollars per month, being em- 
ployed in the town of Marysville at the time 
he received the latter compensation. Later 
he engaged in the teaming business for him- 
self, which occupation he followed for four- 
teen years. He then went to Nevada City 
and became identified with the stock and 
grain business. After this he made his 
home in Virginia City for two years. 

Mr. Le Neve then returned to his native 
countv of Vermilion, by way of New York 
city, and engaged in general farming on 
section 23, also carrying on stock-raising to 
a considerable extent, dealing in shorthorn 
cattle, as well as good grades of hogs and 
horses. Here he resided until he retired to 
his present comfortable home three mjies 
north of Danville. Mr. Le Neve har wit- 
nessed the growth and development of this 
progressive city, which as he remembers it 
in its primitive state had only three small 
stores. He has been closely associated with 
the upbuilding and progress of Vermilion 
cciunty, and especially of Newell township, 
having borne his share of the work which 
was ably carried forward by his fellow pio- 



562 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



neers. On his farm lie has worked with 
untiring activity, has broken the prairies, 
plowed the fields, planted the grain and^ 
reaped the rich harvests resulting there- 
from, and to-day is one of the foremost 
men of the community, honored and re- 
spected by all. He has been able to acquire 
a comfortable competence through his own 
exertions mainly, supplemented by the little 
assistance which his father was able to give 
him and by the education which htted him 
to take his place among the leading business 
men of the state. 

Mr. Le Neve was married March 8, 
1869, the lady of his choice being Miss Ad- 
eline Wilson. She was born in Virginia, 
December 13, 1847, and is a daughter of 
Jesse and Elizabeth (Stump) Wilson, both 
natives of Virginia. She is the third in or- 
der of birth in her father's family. 

Mr. Le Neve had many exciting experi- 
ences during his travels in the western coun- 
try, where the desire for gold brought 
many adventurers of a dangerous charac- 
ter, as well as good citizens of the calibre 
of Mr. Le Neve. During his absence he 
was accounted l(jst for many years, and on 
returning to his native county his own rela- 
tives did not at first recognize him. He 
settled in Pilot township, on section 23, in 
1868, and from there removed to Danville. 
He owns over four hundred acres of the 
best land in Vermilion county and should 
be numi)cred among the substantial agricult- 
urists who have made the county what it 
is to-day — one of the richest in the state. 
He and his wife are members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church of Pilot Grove, in 
which they have both been active and earn- 
est workers. He has contributed liberally 
to tlie su]iport of the churches of the county 
as well as the schools and to other i)ul)lic 



enterprises. In his political affiliations Mr. 
Le Neve was first a Whig and upon the or- 
ganization of the Republican party joined 
its ranks. He takes a deep interest in the 
issues and questions of the day, Ixith ])(ilii- 
ical and otherwise, and has ever a good 
word to speak in favor of the social, moral 
and intellectual advancement of his town- 
sliii). state and county. 



JOHN \V. :\IILLER. 

John W. Miller, a member of the firm 
of ]\Iiller & Dye, proprietors of marble 
works in Danville, was born near Des 
^loines, Iowa, July 10, 1865. a son of Ellis 
F. and Martha (Robinson) Miller, both ol 
will im were natives of Montgomen,- county, 
Indiana, and were there married. The fath- 
er was a farmer by occu])ation and in 1862 
rcmo\e(I to Iowa, where he carried on agri- 
cultural pursuits until 1866, when he became 
a resident of Vermilion county, Illinois. 
After farming here for three years he took 
up his abode in the town of Hoopeston. 
where he engaged in the marble and gran- 
ite busines until 1899, when he retired and 
moved to Danville. There he died July 23, 
1901. He was a Democrat but not a poli- 
tician and cared naught for the honors and 
emoluments of office. He belonged to th 
Church of Christ, in which his wife also 
held membership. She died July 23, 1887. 
and was laid to rest in the cemetery of 
Hoopeston, after which the father was 
again married in the year 1880. his second 
union being with Mrs. Mattie (Knox) 
Copeland, of Potomac. By the first mar- 
riage there were eight children, of whom 
four arc li\ing, naiuely : John W. ; Lyda, 




JOHN LE NEVE. 




MRS. JOHN LE NEVE. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



567 



the wife of George P. Wright, of Danville; 
Evelyn, the wife of John Waffle, of Cleve- 
land, Ohio; and Lynnie, the wife of Lyman 
L. Logan, of Hoopeston, by whom she has 
one son, Gail. By the second marriage of 
Ellis F. Miller there was one child, Paul D., 
who is residing in Danville with his mother. 

John W. Miller obtained his early edu- 
cation in the public schools, after whch he 
began working in his father's marble shop, 
remaining there for eight years. He then 
removed to Danville and in 1894 embarked 
in business as a partner of F. D. Knox, a 
connection that was maintained for iive 
years, when Mr. Miller formed his present 
partnership with W. W. Dye, under the 
firm style of Miller & Dye, proprietors of 
marble and granite works. They have se- 
cured a good business of growing propor- 
tions and already their trade has brought to 
them a gratifying income. 

On the 20th of February, 1889, Mr. Mil- 
ler married Miss Lina Green, who was born 
in Iroquois county, Illinois, March 23, 1867, 
a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth E. 
(Rogers) Green, the former a native of 
Kentucky, and the latter of Indiana. They 
were married in Montgomery county, In- 
diana, where the father devoted his energies 
to farming until his removal to Illinois, 
about i860, when he settled near Hoopes- 
ton, living there until about thirty years 
ago, when he retired from business life and 
both he and his wife are now living in the 
town of Hoopeston. In politics he is a Pro- 
hibition Republican. He belongs to the 
Masonic fraternity and has long been a 
member of the Church of Christ; in which 
he is holding the office of deacon. In his 
family are four children who are yet liv- 
ing: Titus, a resident of Hoopeston: Wil- 
lis T. and Henry Clay, who are also living 



there; and Mrs. Miller. By her marriage 
Mrs. Miller has become the mother of four 
children: Netta, who died in 1890; Ruth; 
Herman, who died in 1898; and J. Franklin. 
In his political affiliations Mr. Miller is 
independent, voting for the men and meas- 
ures rather than the party. He has many 
social relations and is a valued representa- 
tive of the Knights of Pythias, the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Court 
of Honor, the Tribe of Ben Hur and the 
Travelers' Protective Association. He also 
belongs to the Church of Christ and main- 
tains a spirited interest in whatever tends to 
promote the welfare and improvement of 
his city and county. From early boyhood 
he has closely applied himself to the busi- 
ness which he yet follows, and now his trade 
extends far beyond the limits of Vermilion 
county. In fact, his patronage comes from 
almost every county of the state and the 
prosperity which thereby accrues is the just- 
ly merited outcome of his own work. 



WILLIAM CRADDOCK. 

Among the residents of Sidell who, af- 
ter long years of business connection with 
the interests of the city and communit}^ are 
now living retired, is numbered William 
Craddock, a most responsible and worthy 
citizen who for forty-three years has been 
a resident of Vermilion county and is very 
widely and favorablj' known here. He is 
a native of England, his birth having oc- 
curred in Northamptonshire, on the 4th of 
July, 1 83 1. There he was reared upon a 
farm, enjoying but meagre school privileges, 
so that he is largely a self-educated as well 
as a self-made man. He was twentv-six 



568 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



years of age when he came to tlie new world. 
He liad heard favorable reports of the op- 
portunities afforded for advancement in this 
land, and hoping that he might more rapidly 
secure a competence he took passage on a 
sailing vessel which weighed anchor in the 
harbor of Liverpool, and in October reached 
the harbor of New York. During the voy- 
age they had encountered some severe 
storms, one lasting three days. Mr. Crad- 
dock did not tarry long in the east, but pro- 
ceeded westward to Ohio, there joining some 
acquaintances who had previously located in 
Elyria. In that locality he secured work 
upon a farm, being employed in that capac- 
ity for two years. In 1859 he went to Chi- 
cago and then came to Vermilion county, 
where he was employed for a number of 
years as a wagon boss for Kirkland Broth- 
ers, coal merchants. He remained with 
them for a number of years and then with 
the capital which he had acquired as the re- 
sult of his industry and enterprise, he pur- 
chased his first land, becoming the owner 
of one hundred and twenty acres of broad 
prairie. This he broke and fenced and soon 
he erected thereon a good dwelling and barn. 
After a few years, however, his house was 
destroyed by fire, but he replaced it with a 
still better one. He continued his farming 
operations upon the land which lie originally 
owned, until 1894. and then bought resi- 
dence property in Sidell. His present home, 
however, he purchased in 1901. Since re- 
moving to the town he has engaged in farm- 
ing a small tract of land of fifteen acres 
adjoining the corporate limits of Sidell. In- 
dolence and idleness have ever been utterly 
foreign to his nature and it seejns impossible 
for him to entirely put aside business cares. 
In this respect his example is indeed worthy 



of emulation and might profitably be fol- 
lowed by many. 

Mr. Craddock was married in \'ermilion 
county in 1865. the lady of his choice being 
Sophia ]^liller, a native of Coshocton coun- 
ty, Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob Miller, 
a native of Pennsylvania, who removed from 
the Keystone state to Ohio, and about 1850 
settled in Crawford county, Illinois, whence 
he came to Vermilion county. The home 
of }»Ir. and Mrs. Craddock was blessed with 
ten children: James, a resident of Sidell 
township; Sarah, the wife of Neil Culp, of 
Sidell ; Jacob, who is operating the home 
farm ; Anna, the wife of Richard Swank, 
a farmer of Sidell; Elizabeth, the wife of 
Frank Tafflinger, a carpenter and joiner, of 
Sidell ; Lucy, the wife of Robert Hedges, 
of this place; Alice, the wife of Roscoe Ow- 
ens, a farmer of Sidell township ; Mollie 
and William R.. who are at home; and 
Frank, who is a student in the schools of 
Sidell. 

In early life William Craddock was iden- 
tified with the Democratic party, and for 
several years past he has supported the Re- 
publican party and keeps well informed on 
the issues of the day, although he has never 
been a politician in the sense of office seek- 
ing. Fle is a true and tried friend of the 
cause (if education, believing in good scliools 
and the employment of competent teachers. 
Lie served as one of the school directors 
for a number of years and was also road su- 
ljer\'is(ir for some time. Both be and his wife 
bold membership in the b'ree Methodist 
church and are deeply interested in every- 
thing pertaining to the uplifting of their 
fellow men and to the support of the cause 
of Christianity. From pioneer times down 
to the present, covering the period of forty- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



569 



three years which embraces the time of his 
residence in the county, Mr. Craddock has 
ahvays been an advocate of every measure 
for the general good and has manifested a 
pubHc spirited pride in what has been ac- 
comphshed in the county as the work of 
development and improvement has been car- 
ried forward and \'ermilion county has been 
transformed from the wet, uncultivable dis- 
trict into one of the richest farming sections 
of the state, in the midst of which stands one 
of the leading metropolitan centres of Illi- 
nois, gether with Nourishing towns of lesser 
proportion but of marked enterprise and 
progressive spirit. 



JOHN GERRARD. 

Wide-awake and enterprising, quick to 
recognize business opportunities and to im- 
prove them, John Gerrard is now numbered 
among the leading merchants and citizens 
of Westville and is successfully conducting 
a general store wherein a liberal patronage 
is accorded him. He was born in George- 
town township, Vermilion county, Decem- 
ber 16, 1855. His parents, Jacob and Sarah 
H. (Stevens) Gerrard, were both natives of 
Indiana and about 1850 the father came to 
this county, settling on a farm on section 7, 
Georgetown township. He was then nine- 
teen years of age and had made the journey 
hither with his father, the latter purchasing 
a farm, upon which he carried on agricul- 
tural pursuits until his death. The father 
of our subject also engaged in farming upon 
a part of the old homestead in Georgetown 
township and subsequently he removed to a 
farm near Armstrong, this county, contin- 
uing to cultivate the soil there and harvest 



his crops. As the years passed by his work 
brought to him a comfortable living and 
he died February 13, 1886, respected and 
honored by all who knew him. His wife 
passed away in 1880. They were the par- 
ents of eight children, as follows: John; 
Eliza J., who is the widow of James P. 
Cook, and is living in Catlin township ; Will- 
iam, a retired farmer of Georgetown ; Sam- 
uel, who carries on agricultural pursuits in 
Danville township; Alexander, who was 
born February 11, 1864, and is a prominent 
farmer of Catlin township ; Sarah Hannah, 
who is also living in that township : Jacob 
artd Elzora, both deceased. All were af- 
forded the school privileges of the district. 

After completing his education John 
Gerrard turned his attention to farm work 
in Georgetown township and was thus en- 
gaged until 1 88 1, when he went to South 
Dakota and took up a claim. He resided 
in that state for six years, giving his time 
and energies to the development of his farm. 
He then returned to Vermilion county and 
in connection with his brother embarked in 
general merchandising, opening a store near 
Grape Creek. This they conducted for some 
time, after which they sold out and came to 
the village of Westville. Here the brothers 
again established a general mercantile store, 
which they conducted in partnership until 
1896, when our subject purchased his broth- 
er's interest in the business and has since 
been alone. He now- has a large and care- 
fully selected stock of goods, having the 
most extensive store in the village and he 
does a constantly growing and profitable 
business. 

Mr. Gerrard was married in this county 
to Miss Mary Alexander, a daughter of F. 
M. Alexander, also one of the early settlers 
of this part of the state, where he engaged 



57° 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



in fanning. He imw resides in Danxille. 
living a retired life. Tlie home of Mr. and 
Mrs. Gerrard has been blessed with one 
child, Bertie Frances. Our subject votes 
with the Republican party. He is identified 
with the Modern Woodmen lodge, No. 27, 
of Westville, also with Tribe No. 120 of 
the Improved Order of Red J\Ien, in which 
he is now serving as treasurer. His wife 
belc:)ngs to the Christian church and he con- 
tributes liberally to its support.- He gives 
his aid and influence to all measures for the 
general good and is a progressive citizen, 
recognized as one of the valued men of 
West\ille. He entered upon his business 
career without the aid of influential family 
coimections or pecuniary assistance and that 
he has won a creditable position on the plane 
of affluence is the direct result of his own 
labor. 



ROBERT A. LEEMON. 

Robert A. Leemon needs no special in- 
troduction to the readers of this volume for 
he has always lived in this portion of Illi- 
nois and because of the prominence of his 
father and his own sterling worth he has 
become widely known. He was born in Iro- 
quois county, November ig, 1872, and is a 
son of John Leemon, who is represented 
elsewhere in this work. When the family 
removed to Vermilion county he continued 
his education in the schools of this locality 
and later he became a student in Greer Col- 
lege of Hoopeston, while he was prepared 
for the responsible duties of a business ca- 
reer as a student in the Gem City Commer- 
cial College, at Quincy, Illinois. 

On the 28th of August, 1895, Mr. Lee- 
mon was united in marriage to Miss Bessie 



I. Gilson, who was burn in Cook county, 
this state, on the 7th of April, 1875. Her 
father is E. W. Gilson, a resident of Chi- 
cago, and she has three brothers and one 
sister: Sarah Gertrude, . now the wife of 
Eugene Rinkenberger, of Chicago ; Chan- 
ning, Elmer and Lyell, all of Chicago. The 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Leemon has been 
blessed with two interesting children: Dor- 
cas Irene and Allen Wallace. 

In the fall of 1896 Mr. Leemon removed 
to Chicago, where he lived for four years. 
During that time he was connected with the 
National Biscuit Company as wagon sales- 
man, and he also worked for the Brink's 
City Express Company. He now owns 
three hundred and sixty-six acres of valu- 
able land in Iroquois and Vermilion coun- 
ties. For about a year he has lived in 
Hoopeston, hax'ing an attractixe home on 
East Penn street, worth about four thou- 
sand dollars. He is extensively engaged in 
raising fine stock, making a specialty of 
shorthorn cattle, Duroc Jersey hogs. Shrop- 
shire sheep and standard bred horses. He 
also has an interest in twelve hundred acres 
of land in Scott county. Although he re- 
ceived from his father a goodly inheritance, 
he has never felt that it released him from 
business duties or obligations, and instead 
of sc|uandering the legac\' which he recei\ed 
he has made it his effort to increase this 
through honorable business methods. He is 
to-day a representative and enterprising 
farmer, and his land adjoining Hoopeston 
on the north brought him an offer of one 
hundred and twenty-flve dollars per acre, 
which, howexcr, he refused. In December, 
1902, he established a dairy business and 
now has thirty cows in his herd and to-day 
has the leading milk business of Hoo])eston. 
He possesses excellent business ability and 




ROBERT A. LEEMON. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



573 



executive force, and his keen discriminatioii, 
combined with his enterprise, has enabled 
him to carry on his work to a successful 
completion. In his political at^liations he 
is a Democrat, but has never had time nor 
the desire to become an active factor in po- 
litical circles. The community in which he 
lives, however, values him for his public 
spirited interest in everything pertaining to 
the general good. 



GEORGE PRICE. 



In the year 1833 George Price became 
a resident of ^'ermilion county and through 
the long years which have since passed he 
has manifested a spirit of citizenship that 
has promoted the general welfare along pro- 
gressive lines. He was born in Madison 
county, Ohio, August 19, 1834, and comes 
of a family that in an early day was estab- 
lished in Virginia. His father, John Price, 
was born in that state and, removing to 
Ohio, was married to Elizabeth Rowe, a 
native of the Buckeye state. They settled 
in Ross county, Ohio, and afterward re- 
moved to Madison county, the father there 
engaging in farming until his death. He 
had become the owner of an extensi\'e and 
valuable tract of land. He was a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church and 
passed away about 1839. His widow after- 
ward became the wife of Thomas Green 
and, removing to Vermilion county, Illi- 
nois, settled in Vance township, where Mr. 
Green purchased land and where she lived 
until called to the home beyond in 1862. Our 
subject was one of a family of ten children: 
Nancy, the wife of Andrew Shepherd, a 
resident of Madison county, Ohio: William, 
who is living in the same countv ; Elizabeth, 



who became the wife of Charles Goings and 
resided in Catlin, but both are now deceased ; 
Polly, the wife of Moses Shepherd, of Tilton< 
Illinois; Susan, who became the wife of 
Wesley Cheshire and resided in Indianola. 
Iowa, but both are now deceased ; John, 
who resides in Homer, Illinois ; Gertrude, 
who became the wife of Jacob Shoemaker, 
and lived in Madison county, Ohio, until 
called to the home beyond : George, the next 
of the family : and Abraham and Fannie, 
who are deceased. 

In the county of his nati\'ity George 
Price pursued his education until sixteen 
years of age, although his school privileges 
were somewhat meager even during that 
period. He afterward worked by the month 
as a farm hand and remained in Madison 
county until 1853 — the year of his arrival 
in Vermilion county, Illinois. Here he rent- 
ed land and engaged in farming on his own 
account. He fully completed his arrange- 
ments for having a home of his own by his 
marriage, which took place near Catlin, on 
the 7th of May, 1855, the lady of his choice 
being Miss Ruth Wooden, who was born in 
Catlin township, Vermilion county, July 25, 
1830. Her parents, Amos and Elizabeth 
(Berdick) Wooden, were born, reared and 
married in New York and after living for 
a time upon a farm in that state came to 
the west. During the war of 181 2 they 
stopped at Bus Row Prairie in Indiana and 
about 1825 came to this county, locating at 
the Salt Works near Catlin. The town of 
Catlin is now built upon the land which Mr. 
Wooden purchased at that time, his farm 
comprising three hundred acres, the most 
of which he entered from the government. 
He did his dealing at Danville, which at 
that time contained two or three stores and 
a few houses. He voted with the Whig 



574 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



party and was a member of the Masonic 
fraternity. Upon his farm he lived until his 
death, which occurred alxnit 1837. after 
which his widow remained on the old home- 
stead until after her children were marrie<l. 
when she resided with them. Her tleath oc- 
curred in 1864. Mrs. Price was one of a 
family of ten children. Matilda became the 
wife of Henry Kassler. and they resided in 
Dutchess county. New York. Both are now 
deceased and they left one son. h'lmore 
married Rebecca Springer and lived in Cat- 
lin, Illinois. They, too, i)assed away, leav- 
ing five children. Jane became the wife of 
Bonaparte Stansbury and died in Catlin. 
while he died in the west, leaving six chil- 
dren. The ne.xt member of the Wooden 
family died in infancy. Esther died at the 
age of eighteen years. Daniel married Sarah 
Springer and they lived in Chami)aign coun- 
ty, Illinois, but both are now deceased. They 
left four children. Moses wedded Caroline 
Woolcott and made his home in Champaign 
county, where four children were born tuito 
him and his wife. The parents, however. 
are now deceased. Cynthia is the widow 
of Ira Whitcomb and resides in Byron, Olm- 
sted county, ^linnesota. She has five chil- 
dren. Ruth is the honored wife of our sub- 
ject. Elizabeth became the wife of W'ill- 
iam Richardson and they lived in Madiso- 
county, Illinois, but both have departed this 
life, leaving four children. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Price was 
blessed with eight children. J. W. married 
Addie Lacock and resides in Warren coun- 
ty. Iowa, where he follows farming. Thev 
have three children : William. \'ictor and 
Jessie. Elizabeth, the second of the family. 
became the wife of Henry Baldwin, of Ver- 
milion county, and died leaving six chil- 
dren, George. Blanche, Clrace, Fred, Guy 



and Ruth. Charles, a farmer of Fairmount, 
Illinois, wedded Alice ^'erkes, and of their 
four children, two are living — Ethel and 
Gladys. Josejihine is the wife of Xed Rice 
of Sidell and their children are Addie. 
Esther, Roy and May. Addie is the wife 
of Charles Jackson, who resides on a farm 
near Sidell. Alberta is the wife of Alonzo 
Cla])]). a farmer of Oakwood, Illinois, and 
their two children are Lawrence and Mer- 
rill. The ne.xt two members of the Price 
family died in infancy. 

After his marriage Mr. Price located in 
\'ermilion county, where he rented land un- 
til 1868. He then purchased ninety acres 
in \^ancc township and to his farm he has 
added until it now comprises two hundred 
and fifty-two acres. He also owns one 
hundred and twentv acres in \\'arren coun- 
ty. Iowa, and a nice residence in l-'airmoimt. 
He has bought and sold much stock, ship- 
ping as extensively as any man in this coun- 
ty, and his large business operations in this 
direction ha\-e brought to him a very cred- 
itable and gratifying competence. Politi- 
cally he is a stanch supporter of the Repub- 
lican party. He is a member of Fairmount 
Lodge, No. 590, F. & A. M., and he be- 
longs to the Methodist Episcopal church, in 
which for many years he has served as a 
trustee. Such a life record is well worthy 
of emulation for his career has been char- 
acterized by diligence in business, by loyalty 
in citizenshi]) and by honor in all social re- 
lations and to his family and friends he is 
most loval and devoted. 



JOHN A. DICKINSON. 

John A. Dickinson is a dealer in grocer- 
ies and confectionery in Catlin. where he is 
also conducting a lunch counter. His busi- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



575 



ness ability is recognized and tliough he has 
met with reverses he possesses strong deter- 
mination and enterprise and his snccess is 
the direct outcome of his own labors. He 
was born in New York, Lincolnshire, Eng- 
land, October 6, 1865, a son of William and 
Eliza (Carbey) Dickinson, also natives of 
Lincolnshire, the former born in 1822 and 
the latter in 1836. In the year 1S81 they 
emigrated with their family to America, es- 
tablishing their home in Vermilion county 
when our subject was sixteen years of age. 
Here the father worked by the month for a 
time and then rented a farm in Catlin town- 
ship, whereon he remained until his death, 
which occurred July 18, 1894. In the fam- 
ily were nine children : Betsey Maria, who 
was born April 17, 1853, and died Decem- 
ber 10, 1880; Henry Thomas, who was born 
December 30, 1856; Stephen Carbey, who 
was born December 29, 1859, and died May 
22, 1891 ; Mrs. Sarah Jane Kay. who was 
born September 25, 1861, and died in 
1901 ; Stephen, born September 21, 1863; 
John A.; \\'illiam A., born December 
25, 1867: Alice Elizabeth, who was born 
September 25, 1870, and died May 29, 
1877: and Moses, who was born May 17, 
1873. and died August 12, 1877. 

John A. Dickinson, the sixth in order of 
birth, pursued his education in the schools 
of his native country and after arriving in 
Vermilion county he' worked on a section 
of the Wabash Railroad for one dollar and 
ten cents per day and upon the death of his 
father he assumed control of the home farm, 
where he remained for a few years. He 
then came to Catlin, where in partnership 
with a younger brother, he established a 
grocery store, which they conducted under 
the firm name of Dickinson Brothers for 
three years. Our subject then purchased 



his brother's interest and continued the busi- 
ness alone. On the 27th of May. 1901. how- 
ever, his store was destroyed by fire and 
thus he lost most of his hard earnings. He 
had recently cleared his store of all indebt- 
edness and now he had to borrow monc 
to again gain a start. On the 26th of July, 
of the same year, he was once more ready 
to engage in trade and now he is conducting 
a well appointed establishment, containing 
a large line of groceries and confectionery. 
He also conducts a lunch counter and his 
business is setadily growing so that he is 
meeting with well deserved success. 

Mr. Dickinon was nominated and elect- 
ed justice of the peace on the Republican 
ticket, receiving a flattering majority. After 
serving for one year he was prevailed upon 
by his friends to become the candidate of 
the Republican party for supervisor of Cat- 
lin township in 1900 and being elected to 
this office he is now serving in that capacity. 
His ofificial record is indeed creditable for his 
course has been marked by a deep interest 
in the general good. Fraternally he is con- 
nected with Catlin Lodge, No. 285, F. & 
A. M. He has filled all of the ofifices in the 
Odd Fellows Lodge of Catlin and has been 
elected to represent it in the grand lodge. He 
has likewise filled various offices in the Or- 
der of Red Men, was elected representative 
to the grand council and now holds the office 
of deputy great sachem of Vermilion coun- 
ty, having been appointed by the grand sa- 
chem of Illinois. He is a member of the 
Modern Woodmen of America and his \^'ife 
holds membership with the Royal Neigh- 
bors of Catlin. 

Mr. Dickinson was united in marriage 
to Miss Cora Bennett, who was born in 
this county January 21, 1875, and is a 
daughter of Henrv T. and Melissa A. 



576 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



(Stark) Bennett. Her mother's parents 
were Jolm and Mary A. (Cassady) 
Stark, pioneers of A'ermilion county. Unto 
our suljject and his wife lias been l)orn one 
son, John Thomas, who is now six years of 
age. His mother is also a member of the 
household, having lived with Mr. Dickinson 
since her husband's death. Our subject is 
a citizen of walue to the community, co- 
operating in every measure for the improve- 
ment of the town along material, social, in- 
tellectual anil moral lines. He is an ener- 
getic, enterprising man and one worthy of 
success. 

— * « » 

JOHN M. CARSOX. 

John AI. Carson was one of the leading 
business men of Danville, for many years 
being at the head of the firm of Carson & 
Company, owners of a plumbing establish- 
ment oi this city. The Inisiness which he 
conducted is still carried on by his widow 
and her sons, who have followed the 
straightforward and creditably policy in- 
augurated l)y the husband and father. 

Mr. Carson was a native of Scotland, 
born May jo, 1842. His parents, John and 
Helen Carson, were likewise natives of the 
land of hills and heather, and in 1852 they 
to America \vith their family, settling in 
Cincinnati, Ohio, wdiere the father died the 
same vear. The mother spent her last days 
in Eouis\-illc. Kentucky. 

John M. Carson was a lad of only ten 
summers when his father and mother 
crossed the briny deep to the new world. 
Owing to his father's early death bis school 
pri\ileges were very limited and he early 
started out in life on his own account. He 
began to learn the plumber's trade in Cin- 
cinnati an<l mastered the l)usiness b(_)th in 



principle anil detail. His capability and fi- 
delity won him recognition and one promo- 
tion after another eventually made him fore- 
man of a large plumbing establishment 
there. He acted in that capacity for sev- 
eral years, in fact, was working at his trade 
in Cincinnati when the Civil war broke out. 

In the first year of that sanguinary con- 
riict he donned the blue uniform of the 
United States army and became a volunteer 
(if Cnm])any K, Seventy-fourth Ohio Infan- 
try, with which he served throughout the 
war, participating in many important en- 
g'agements, including the battles of Fort 
Henry, Xealey's Bend, Stone River, Hoov- 
er's Ga]). Tullahoma, Dug Gap, Chicka- 
mauga. Missionary Ridge, Tunnel Hill. Res- 
cca. Dallas (iap. Pine Mountain. Pumpkin 
\'ine Creek. Kenesaw Mountain, Peach 
Tree Creek, .\tlanta, Jonesboro, Savannah, 
Bentonville and Raleigh. In the battle of 
Stone River Mr. Carson was c.iptured and 
sent to Libby prison where he was incar- 
cerated for three months, suffering much be- 
cause of the cruelties infiicted and from 
lack of nourishing food. He had several 
narrow escapes while in battle, at one time 
his hat being shot away while at another 
time the heel of his boot was shot oft". He 
was discharged June 15, 1865, and gladly 
returned to his home, for although he had 
ever been found faithful to his duty, th.e 
hardships of \\ar make militar\- e.\]>erience 
anything but pleasant. 

Locating in Cincinnati, Mr. Carson 
worked for a short time at his trade there 
and then went to Louisville, Kentucky, 
where he opened a plumbing shop, conduct- 
ing business at that i)oint for several years. 
While there he built the waterworks at 
Owensboro, Kentucky, and also at Jeffer- 
sonville, Indiana. After his marriage, 
which was celebratcil in Lciuisville, Ken- 




JOHN M. CARSON. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



579 



tucky, he continued business in that city un- 
til 1882, when he arrived in Danville and 
established his plumbing store. He also 
built the waterworks at Champaign, Illi- 
nois, and in Danville and for several years 
he was employed to operate the plant here. 
Throughout all the years he conducted his 
plumbing work and at the time of his death 
was proprietor of an extensive and profit- 
able establishment at Xo. 32 Hazel street, 
conducted under the firm name of Carson 
& Company, plumbers and steam fitters. 

Mr. Carson was united in marriage to 
Miss Anna M. Young, a native of Ken- 
tucky, and unto them were born six chil- 
dren: William H., who is engaged in the 
plumbing business at \o. 12 East North 
street, Danville; G. G., who is in business at 
Texarkana, Arkansas ; John \V., who is 
manager of the business established by his 
father at the corner of North and Hazel 
streets, Danville, and resides w'ith his moth- 
er; Robert H., who is also a member of the 
firm, his home being in this city ; Arthur, 
deceased; and Harry, who is yet with his 
mother. 

Mr. Carson was a meml)er of the school 
board of Danville for a number of years but 
was never a politician in the sense of oflrce 
seeking, preferring to devote his time and 
attention to his business affairs in which he 
met with signal success. He voted with 
the Republican party and at one time he was 
a member of the Masonic fraternity and 
of the Knights of Pythias Lodge in Lou- 
isville but he never joined either organiza- 
tion after coming to Danville. He was, 
howe\-er, a member of the Grand Army 
Post here and served as its commander for 
sometime. Both he and his wife were mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian church of this city 
and he always took a deep and active inter- 
est in the church work, doing everything in 



his power to promote its growth and extend 
its influence. Pie served as a deacon for 
sometime and for several years he was also 
superintendent of the Sunday-schools. 
Mrs. Carson is quite prominent here, her 
circle of friends being very extensive. She 
owns one of the finest residences in the 
northwest part of the city, located at No. 
903 Logan avenue. I\lr. Carson was a very 
successful business man. He possessed 
those qualities of character which mainly 
contribute to the success of private life and 
to the public stability and he therefore en- 
joyed the respect and confidence of those 
with whom his business affairs were con- 
ducted, the same being in strict conformity 
with the ethics of commercial life and among 
his friends he displayed qualities of man- 
hood that endeared him to all with whom 
he came in contact. 



JACOB YAPP. 



Jacob Yapp has been a resident of Ver- 
milion county for forty-eight years. He 
was born in Allegany county. New York, 
June 12, 1822, and is a son of Samuel and 
Mary (Ay res) Yapp, she being a member 
of the family of Ayres of sarsaparilla fame. 
He was a native of New Jersey, born near 
Hoboken, and his father, the grandfather 
of Jacob Yapp, was born in Great Britain 
in 1716, while the paternal grandmother 
was a native of New Jersey. Samuel and 
Mary (Ayres) Yapp became the parents of 
ten children: Horatio J. died in Nebraska, 
in 1885. leaving a widow and eight chil- 
dren. The widow afterward died in Ne- 
braska also. Gideon W. died in Iowa in 
1864 and left a widow and four children. 
The widow afterward died in Sangamon 



5»o 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



county, Illinois. Susan H. was the widow 
of James Jackson, of Vermilion county, and 
died in 1901, leaving two daugiiters, Mary, 
the wife of Gilbert F. Canady, of Homer, 
and Sarah A. Jackson, also of Homer. Jacob 
of this review is the next younger. Phineas 
died in infancy. Abigail, who became the 
wife of John Mills, of Fairmount, Illinois. 
died in 1894. Her husband was a minister and 
was connected with Partlows and others, 
in Danville. Jane died at the age of twenty 
in western New York. David E. now lives 
in Allegany county, New York, where he 
is engaged in farming. He has one son, 
Herbert. Samuel died in Ogden. Illinois, 
July ij, 1902. at the age of seventy-one. 
He left a widow, but no children. Mrs. 
Mary Davis is a widow living in Iowa. All 
the children enjoyed common-school edu- 
cations, and Mary and Abigail were teach- 
ers. The father and mother died within 
twenty-one days of each other, the father 
preceding. 

At the age of seventeen the subject of 
this review entered the employ of Rufus 
Kinney, of Cuba, New York, as an appren- 
tice at harness-making and carriage-trim- 
ming, in which capacity he served for three 
years. He was then engaged in business for 
himself for a short time. He afterward 
sold out and accepted a position as fore- 
man in a large harness and trimming 
establishment, where he had charge of some 
fifteen or twenty hands. This was in the 
employ of William P. Stevens, at Cuba, 
New York, where he continued for seven 
years. He then engaged in business for 
himself for about three years, when he sold 
out and came to Georgetown, Illinois. He 
was married to Miss Ambrosia C. Sheldon, 
a daughter of Jeremiah and .Anna (Mun- 
ter) Sheldon, l)otli of whom were n;ilives 



of New York. Mr. Yapp lost his first wife 
by death. By this marriage there was one 
child, Helen A., the wife of Pleasant West, 
of Georgetown. Illinois. He was at one 
time in the mercantile business and also 
owns a farm near Georgetown. They have 
two children. Derelle is the wife of C. Por- 
ter Johnson, now residing in Oklahoma 
City, Oklahoma, Mr. Johnson being a prom- 
inent lawyer of that place. Roy O. West, 
also a prominent lawyer, resides in Chica- 
go. He is now president of the board of 
review, of Cook county, which position he 
has filled for nearly four years. He was 
married June 11, i8g8, to ]\liss Louise Au- 
gustus, of Paris, Illinois, who died leaving 
a son, Roy Owen West. 

Mr. ^'app was again married, his sec- 
ond union being with .Vdelia E. Palmer, 
the marriage ceremony taking place on Feb- 
ruary 13, 185 1. She was a daughter of 
Joseph Palmer, of Cuba. New York, a na- 
tive of that place. Mrs. Yapp was born at 
Warsaw, ^Vyoming county. New "S'ork, 
June 23, 1829. 

Upon arriving in Georgetown Mr. Yapp 
opened a saddlery and harness business on 
the northwest corner of the square, where 
he continued about two years, then removed 
to the building on the south side of the square 
owned by Henderson & Holloway, where 
he great!}- enlarged his business, carrying a 
good stock and adding all necessary e(|uip- 
ments for the conduct of his extensi\e es- 
tablishment. He continued in the above 
named building for several years, when he 
built a large two-story frame building one 
block north of the square, Avhich he cx])ect- 
ed to use as a shop and residence, but on 
account of the hotel of the town burning . 
about this time he opened a hotel instead. 
\\'hile conductinq- the hotel he had a con- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



581 



tract for carrying mail from Danville to 
Paris, for twelve years. In 1862 Mr. Yapp 
was elected justice of the peace, which posi- 
tion he held for thirty-six years. He could 
have retained the office longer, but would 
not accept it. He discharged his duties 
faithfully during his incumbency, showing" 
favor to none, and his decisions were ever 
on the side of right and justice. In 186S 
Mr. Yapp, with his son-in-law, Mr. West, 
engaged in the hardware and tinning busi- 
ness, afterward adding lumber. In this 
business they continued until 1888, when 
they closed out the business and engaged in 
farming for ten years, on the expiration of 
which period they sold their stock and rent- 
ed their lands. They have an ofiFice in 
Georgetown, where they write insurance 
and entertain their friends who are legion. 
Mr. Yapp owns something over one hun- 
dred acres of land, considerable of this ly- 
ing in Georgetown. He has just sold fifty 
acres to Grace C. Pritchard, which is platted 
and known as Jacob Yapp's addition to 
Georgetown. ]\Ir. Yapp's residence in 
Georgetown is commodious and modern, 
with convenient outbuildings and all the ac- 
cessories of an attractive American home of 
the twentieth century, whose appointments 
are in perfect taste. This home is situated 
on the northeast corner of North Second 
and Main streets, and there the cordial hos- 
pitality of the household is extended to 
many friends. For almost a half century 
Mr. Yapp has been a resident of this county 
and has watched with interest the develop- 
ment and progress which has since taken 
place. His share in this work has been of 
no small value, for in building up the busi- 
ness interests of the place he has taken an 
important part. When he came to this coun- 
ty he recei\-ed assistance to the amount of 



three hundred dollars from his former em- 
ployer in Cuba, New York, and Mr. Yapp 
bought hides and shipped to this gentleman 
for a number of years. With the capital 
so acquired he started out upon his busi- 
ness career and through industr\' and fair 
dealing he has achieved the proud position 
in the financial and social world which he 
to-day occupies. He has been a Mason for 
fifty-three years, having become connected 
with the fraternity in Cuba, New York. 
He is a member of the blue lodge of 
Georgetown, and Scottish Rite Consistory 
of Chicago, and has been a member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows for over 
fifty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Yapp have 
been members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church for many years. In politics he is a 
Republican, and in past years has taken an 
active interest in the work of the party, but 
he has never been an office seeker, preferring" 
the quiet life of a private American citizen, 
to the honors and emoluments of office. He> 
has been a consistent and conservative man 
of business and has ever been regarded as 
one of the substantial and representati\e 
men of his county where he is widely and 
favorably known. 



O. P. CHAMBERLIN. 

O. P. Chamberlin, who is now exten- 
sively and successfully engaged in the grain 
brokers' business in Hoopeston. was born in 
Seneca county, Ohio, on the 17th of Decem- 
ber, 185 1, a son of James M. and Cather- 
ine A. fjones) Chamberlin. The father 
was a farmer by occupation and died in 
Ohio, August 13, 1888, while his wife 
passed away in 1884. In their family were 



582 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



four sons: O. P. ami Charles W., twins, 
the latter dying at the age of twenty-three; 
W. H. and James M. By a former mar- 
riage of James M. Chamberlin one cliild 
was born, John ^\^, who was for many 
years one of the most prominent Masons of 
Ohio. His death occurred at Tiffin, Ohio, 
in August, 1901. 

Under the parental roof on the home 
farm the subject of this review was reared 
while in the common schools he pursued his 
education. He left home at the age of eigh- 
teen years, and for a year followed farm- 
ing. He was also employed in an elevator 
and general store at Adrian, Ohio, for about 
eighteen months, and then began learning- 
telegraphy in Oberlin, where he continued 
for three months. In 1874 he came to 
Bloomington, Illinois, arriving in the month 
of August, and for two years was employed 
as an operator on the line of the Wabash 
Railroad. On the ist of September, 1876, 
he arrived in Hoopeston and took charge of 
the station of the Wabash Railroad, now the 
Lake Erie & Western Railroad, filling that 
position acceptably until 1885. In the latter 
year he accepted the position of bookkeeper 
in the firm of Moore & Bushnell, grain oper- 
ators, with whom he remained for two 
years, at the end of which time they went 
out of business. Mr. Chamberlin then re- 
moved to Danville, where he was engaged 
in the grain brokerage business for a number 
of months. At the end of that time, how- 
ever, he resumed railroading, acting as as- 
sistant in his old position for a few months. 
He was then transferred to Tipton, Indiana, 
where he had charge of the station for three 
months, and in September, 1890, he was 
offered the position of assistant cashier of 
the First National Bank of Hoopeston. .\c- 
cepting the offer he capably served in that 



capacit}' until April, 1898, when failing 
health compelled him to resign. While fill- 
ing that position he also engaged in the in- 
surance business in connection with E. C. 
Griffith, and he also conducted a grain brok- 
erage business. Mr. Chamberlin is a man of 
wonderful business aljility. He was the orig- 
inator of the telephone system of Hoopeston, 
in which enterprise he was associated with U. 
E. Cory, and the business relation between 
them is still continued. They have control 
of the entire telephone system of Hoopeston 
and surrounding towns. They began oper- 
ations on the 1st of May, 1895, with twen- 
ty-seven subscribers. They now have over 
three hundred subscribers, while the busi- 
ness is rapidly increasing. When they be- 
gan operations they had a capital of about 
one thousand dollars invested, but this has 
been increased to fifteen thousand, as they 
have built new lines and placed new "phones 
throughout the city and surrounding dis- 
trict. They also have a branch exchange 
at Ea.st Lynn. Mr. Chamberlin also con- 
tinues in the grain and brokerage business, 
representing eastern firms. He buys 
throughout this portion of the country, hand- 
ling millions of bushels of grain annually. 
In this line of business activity he is also 
meeting with splendid success, his opera- 
tions having reached very extensive propor- 
tions, which make his efforts profitable. 
While connected with banking interests in 
connection with Air, Griffith he owned a 
grain elevator at Hoopeston and one at 
("I^eney^•ille. WHiatever he imdertakes he 
carries forward to successful completion and 
his enterprise, keen discernment and per- 
severence are marked elements in his suc- 
cessful career. 

On the 1 2th of April. 1877, in Bloom- 
ville. Ohio. Mr, Chamberlin was united in 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



583 



marriage to Miss Nettie Cory, whose par- 
ents are now residents of Hoopeston. This 
union has been blessed with one child : 
Charles Cory, who was born April 9, 1878, 
and is now employed in the general offices of 
the American Car Company of Chicago. 
Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin have a very pleas- 
ant home at No. 306 East Penn street, 
which was erected in 1889, and in addition 
to this property and the various business 
interests mentioned, he owns a half section 
of land in Stevens county, Kansas. In his 
political views he is an earnest Republican, 
for two terms has served as alderman of the 
city and he has also been a member of the 
school board. Fraternally he is both a blue 
lodge and chapter Mason, and he is con- 
nected with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- 
ica. He belongs to the Presbyterian church 
in which he is now serving as an elder. He 
is likewise superintendent of the Sunday- 
school. Since coming to Hoopeston he has 
served as treasurer of the church here and 
has taken a very acti^'e and influential part 
in its promotion and upbuilding. While 
Mr. Chamberlin has largely devoted his 
time and attention to the demands of ex- 
tensive and important business interests, he 
has at the same time found opportunity to 
faithfully perform his duties of citizenship 
and to co-operate in many movements for 
the general good along social, intellectual 
and moral lines. 



MRS. MARY BEYER. 

Mrs. Mary Beyer is a highly respected 
and prominent resident of Fairmount. \^er- 
milion county, Illinois. She was born in 
this county, March 19, 1869, and is a daugh- 



ter of Daniel and Elizabeth ( Hughel j Gun- 
der, the former born in Lancaster county, 
Ohio, May 24, 1825, and the latter a native 
of Madison county, Indiana, born August 
24. 1832. They were married at Anderson, 
Indiana, in 1840. Mr. Gunder followed 
farming throughout his active life, and in 
1868 the family removed to Vermilion 
county, Illinois, locating in Vance township. 
He purchased land and followed farming 
until 1892, when he retired from active life 
and located in Fairmount, Illinois, where he 
remained until his death, which occurred 
August 24, 1899. He was buried in Davis 
cemetery. The wife and mother died Octo- 
ber I of the same year. He was a prominent 
and influential man of his community, being 
county supervisor for several terms and hav- 
ing filled all the township offices. He was 
a member of the Baptist church, in which 
he was a deacon, and was a member of Fair- 
mount Lodge, No. 590, A. F. & A. M., of 
which he was a charter member. In politics 
he was a Democrat. Mrs. Beyer was one of 
a family of ten children. Alice, the wife of 
J. J- Howard, resides in Vance township. 
Susie became the wife of Charles Baldwin 
but both are now deceased. J. N. is a drug- 
gist of Indianapolis, Indiana. James is 
freight agent of the Wabash Railroad at 
Decatur, Illinois. Samuel resides in Chi- 
cago, where he is engaged in manufactur- 
ing Dr. Graves' toothpowder. Jennie died 
unmarried. Daniel died in infancy. Our 
subject is the eighth child. Julia is the wife 
of Frank Goodwin, a real estate dealer of 
Decatur, Illinois. Arthur H. resides on the 
homestead farm in Vance township. The 
Gunder family is of German and English 
extraction. 

On the loth of December. 1890, in 
\'ance township, occurred the marriage of 



584 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Peter Beyer and Miss Hilary (Juiuler. Mr. 
Beyer was born in Danville, Illinois, August 
8, 1805. He was the son of Peter and Julia 
(Ford) Beyer, the former a native of Ger- 
many. This couple located in Dan\'ille, 111 
nois, where the father engaged in the shoe 
business, so continuing until his death, 
which occurred in September, 1898. His 
widow' still siu"\i\es him and is living in 
Danville. Mr. Beyer, Sr.. was a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fra- 
ternally lie was connected with the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows and in politics was 
a Republican. L'nto Peter and Julia (Ford) 
Byer were born twelve children, of whom 
the following grew to years of maturity : 
Lucy is the wife of John Hill, a jeweler 
of Danville. Ellen is the wife of Douglas 
Stahl, and resides in Lincoln, Nebraska. 
David resides in Dansillc, Illinois. Peter 
was the husband of Mrs. Beyer of this re- 
view. Edward, George, Fred, Katie and 
Hester, all reside in Danville. 

For the first two years after the mar- 
riage of Mr. and Mrs. Beyer, he engaged in 
the nursurv business, owning a nursery near 
Danville. They then located in Springfield, 
Illinois, where Mr. Beyer engaged in the 
market and provision business until his 
death, which occurred Novemlier 17, 1896, 
His remains were interred in Danville, Illi- 
nois. Unto Mr. Beyer and wife w-ere born 
three daughters : Vera, born November 23, 
1891 ; Bessie, born March 2, 1894; and 
Sarah, born July 8, 1896. Mr. Beyer was 
an energetic and a good business man. He 
was a man of sterling characteristics, being 
honorable and upright, and charitable to a 
high degree. He won many friends who 
sincerely mourned his loss. He was a mem- 
ber of the Knights of Pythias lodge and in 
politics was a Rei)ublican, but refused to 



hold office. Mrs. Beyer owns a farm of 
forty-eight acres in Vance township and 
also residence property in Fairmount. She 
has a comfortable and attractive home and 

is highly regarded in the communitv where 
she resides, as a lady of estimable worth. 



JONATHAN C. STEARNS. 

The Buckeye state is noted for its high 
class of citizens who, whether statesmen, in- 
ventors or those following mercantile and 
agricultural pursuits, have always been a 
credit to tlie communities in which they 
ha\'e lived. Illinois, like other western 
states, has been benefited by the emigration 
of some of these men and among their num- 
ber is Jonathan C. Stearns, who was born 
in Clinton county, Ohio, August 5, 1835. 
He is a son of Seneca and Hannah (Hun;- 
phrejs) Stearns. The father was born near 
Bennington, Vermont, December 17, 1810, 
and the mother was a nati\e of New Jer- 
sey, born March 7, 181 1. They were mar- 
ried in Clinton county, Ohio, and there he 
engaged in farming. In 1836 he removed 
with his family to Illinois, settling in Oak- 
wood township, one mile northeast of Fiftb- 
ian. in X'ermilion county. Here he entered 
land and carried nn farming until the death 
of his wife, when he lived with his children 
until his death, which occurred August i , 
i8q8. Flis w'ife had passed away July 7, 
1881. He was a member of the Baptist 
church, of which he was a trustee, and in 
politics was first a Whig but became a Re- 
iniblicau. on the organization of that party. 
He and his wife were the parents of six 
children, five sons and one daughter. The 
subject of this review is the eldest child. 
Tames N. resides at iMthian. Illinois. Will- 




J. C. STEARNS. 




MRS. J. C. STEARNS. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



S89 



jam H. resides at Yankton, South Dakota. 
John H. resides in Sioux City, Iowa. Al- 
fred L. resides in Muncie, IlHnois. Sarah 
E. is the wife of Wilham H. Littell and re- 
sides in Fithian, Ilhnois. 

The history of the Stearns family is in- 
teresting, fomiing part, as it does, of the 
annals of early days in the settlement of this 
country. Seneca Stearns was a son of Mel- 
ville Stearns, a native of Massachusetts. 
He was a son of David Stearns, who was 
also born in that state. The ancestors who 
established the Stearns family in America 
came from England in 1632 and settled in 
Massachusetts, three brothers coming to the 
United States at that time. The grandfa- 
ther of our subject,, in company with his fa- 
ther, started from Olean, New York, on the 
Alleghany river near the Pennsylvania line, 
on a raft, in 1815. They proceeded down 
the Ohio river and settled in Clinton coun- 
ty, Ohio, where they lived and died. Sen- 
eca Steams was one of a family of two 
brothers and one sister, all of whom lived 
in Clinton county, Ohio. Later they came 
to Illinois. Seneca Stearns and his brother 
Harrison came to Illinois in 1836. His sis- 
ter, Sarah E. Izard, came in 1845. H^'" 
death occurred in Muncie, Illinois. Han- 
nah (Humphreys) Stearns, the mother of 
our subject, was taken by her parents from 
New Jersey to Ohio in 1815. Her ances- 
tors originally came from England and set- 
tled in New Jersey. She had only one sis- 
ter, Phebe, who went to Ohio in 181 5 and 
died in Parke county, Indiana, in 1841. 

Jonathan C. Stearns of this review at- 
tended school in the winter of 1841-2 in an 
old log schoolhouse on the state road, one 
mile south and one-quarter of a mile east 
of Muncie, Illinois. He then attended 
school in a log house one-quarter of ajnile 
northeast of Muncie in 1843. ^^^ oppor- 

24 



tunities in the educational line were limited, 
as he could only attend during the winter 
months. In the summer his services were 
required on the home farm. He continued 
his schooling until he was eighteen years of 
age, or until 1853. He then worked for 
seven years at the carpenter's trade and also 
engaged in farming on rented land, where 
he lived for three years after his marriage. 
This important event in his life occurred 
on the 4th of December, x86i, in Catlin 
township, the lady of his choice being Mary 
S. Snyder, who was born in Montgomery 
county, Indiana, November 6, 1841. She 
was a daughter of Jacob Snyder, a native of 
Butler county, Ohio, who removed from that 
state to Indiana. His father was also named 
Jacob and was a native of Northumberland 
county, Pennsylvania. In 1808 he removed 
to Butler county, Ohio, and there made his 
home until his death. His ancestors were 
originally from Germany and on , coming 
to the United States settled in Pennsylvania. 
The mother of Mrs. Stearns in. her maid- 
enhood was Emily Allen, a native of Ken- 
tucky, born May 20, 1818. She first mar- 
ried Jacob Snyder, and after his death mar- 
ried William McBroom and in 1854 moved 
to Catlin township, Vermilion county, 
where she is still living. She is a daugh- 
ter of William Allen, also a native of Ken- 
tucky, the Allen family having been estab- 
lished in that state at a very early day, emi- 
grating thence from Virginia. Jacob Sny- 
der fbllowed cai-pentering in connection 
with his farming interests, and died near 
Crawfordsville, Indiana, about 1845. In 
politics he was a Democrat. He and his 
wife became the parents of four daughters 
and two of the number are still living, 
namely : Mrs. Stearns ; and Amanda, the 
wife of L. J. Place, of Newport, Indiana. 
The home of Mr. and ^Irs. Stearns has 



590 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



been blessed witli five children, four of 
whom are now living. The first born was 
James, who was born on the 14th of Feli- 
ruary, 1863, and died at the age of twenty- 
two months. He was a remarkably bright 
child :uul knew all of his letters at the age 
of twenty months. Emily S. married Will- 
iam G. Yount. They have one child and 
reside in Catlin township. Ellis married 
Irene McDonald, who is now deceased. He 
lias two sons and resides in Oakwood town- 
ship with his parents. Hattie is the widow 
of Scott Pate and resides in Oakwood town- 
ship. She has two sons and lost one daugh- 
ter. Isla F. married Winifred C. Dalbey 
and he resides on one of his father-in-law's 
farms in Oakwood township. He had one 
child, now deceased, and a little daughter, 
Elsie E., born February 11, 1903. 

Three years after his marriage Mr. 
Stearns purchased the farm which is now 
his home. This comprises two hundred and 
sixty-one acres on section 22, in Oakwood 
township, Vermilion county. Besides his 
farming interests Mr. Stearns also has gold 
mining stock in Oregon. His farm is well 
cultivated and equipped with all the acces- 
sories of a model farm of the twentieth cent- 
ury. He raises a good grade of stock and 
is accounted one of the leading agricultur- 
ists of the township. A firm adherent to 
the Republican party, he has yet refused to 
acce|)t ofiice. Mr. Stearns and his w'ife are 
genial, kindly people who have ' hosts of 
friends. 



LEVI JOHNS. 



Since the year 1866 Levi Johns has been' 
a resident of Danville. He has been one of 
the hardest workers, leading a busy, useful 



life and through his earnest labor, guided 
by sound business judgment, he has accum- 
ulated a comfortable competence. Fie was 
born in Pennsylvania, October 12, 18 14, 
and is a son of Samuel and Nancy (John- 
son) Johns, both of whom were natives of 
Pennsylvania. At an early day they went 
to Ohio, where the father engaged in farm- 
ing. Subsequently he took up his abode in 
Zanesville, where he lived until his death, 
his wife also passing away near that city. 

Levi Johns obtained but limited school 
advantages in his native county and after 
putting aside his text-books worked at odd 
jobs until his marriage. In Zanesville he 
wedded Miss Rebecca J. Boyd, who was born 
near that city, October 20, 1819, a daugh- 
ter of John and Elizabeth Boyd, both of 
whom are natives of Ohio and there 
spent their entire li\es. L^nto Mr. and 
Mrs. John ha\e been born five children: 
Alice M., who died in childhood; George 
Elbert, who died in Indian Territory in 
1881 ; Alice Elizabeth, who died at the age 
of two years; Caroline L., who has remained 
at home with her parents, and largely re- 
lieves her mother in afifairs of the house- 
hold ; and Alice Anna, the wife of Henry 
Johnson, also deceased. 

.\fter his marriage Mr. Johns took up 
his abode in Coshocton, where he remained 
until 1853 when hoping to more rapidly ac- 
quire success amid the mines of California 
he made his way to the Pacific coast and 
was there engaged in nuning until 1866. 
Upon his return eastward he settled in Dan- 
ville where he has since made his home. 
For a number of years he was engaged in 
the coal business and then for several years 
operated a stone quarry near the city. His 
business brought to him prosperity and year 
by year he added to his capital until at length 




SENECA STEARNS. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



593 



with a comfortable cempetence he retired 
to private hfe. In pohtics he is an earnest 
RepubHcan, but has never sought office. Mr. 
Johns, his wife and daughter are all mem- 
bers of the Kimber Methodist church of 
Danville. They have a pleasant home at Xo. 
432 Br^'an ax'cnue, where they have resided 
since locating in the city more than a third 
of a century ago. Mr. Johns always com- 
mancjed the confidence of his patrons be- 
cause lie was ever fair and honorable in his 
business dealings, and his incorruptible in- 
tegrity has been a salient feature in his 
career. 



HENSON VINSON. 



Henson Vinson is a representative of 
one of the old families of Vermilion coun- 
ty, whose history is inseparably interwoven 
with the records of this portion of the state. 
He was the seventh child in the family of 
Henson and Abigail (McDowell) Vinson 
and was born April 16, 1837, in Parke coun- 
ty, Indiana. During his infancy he was 
brought to this county by his parents and ir, 
order to acquire an education he had to go 
about two or three miles to a log school 
house, which was seated with slab benches 
and lighted by greased paper windows. 
Heat came from an immense fireplace, which 
occupied one entire end of the room and the 
school was conducted on the subscription 
plan. Mr. Vinson has always lived upon 
the farm on which his father settled on com- 
ing to the county and the place is therefore 
endeared to him by the associations of his 
boyhood as well as those of later life. He 
has seen all of the improvements made in 
the county, witnessing great changes in 
methods of farming, as the primitive farm 



machinery has been replaced by the substan- 
tial improved implements of the present day. 
He did his share in the work of field and 
meadow, tramping after the plow for many 
an hour at the time of early spring planting, 
and later assisting in gathering the crops 
which were cut with a sickle, 'while later a 
cradle was used in the harvest field. Corn 
was dropped by hand and covered with a hoe 
and jumper. Matches had not then been in- 
troduced and flint, tow and punk often 
proved the factors in lighting a fire, while 
the houses were illuminated at night by tal- 
low candles made by the mother or by 
greased lamps. Tlie mother also had her 
loom and from the wool taken from the 
sheep raised upon the farm she wove and 
spun the clothing that was utilized in mak- 
ing the garments for the different members 
of the family. The individual considered 
himself fortunate if he was able to have one 
pair of shoes a year. Oxen were not only 
used in breaking prairie and in cultivating 
fields, but also hauled the wagons in which 
the family would go to church or market, 
for there were no carriages at that time. As 
horses came into more general use the girls 
would often sit behind the man upon the 
pillion. The country was full of wild game 
and there were also many prairie and timber 
wolves. The old fainily home which was 
erected by the father in 1842 is still stand- 
ing and, being weather boarded, is to-day 
used as a barn. It was built of walnut tim- 
I^er taken from the farm and the gable ends 
still remain as they were in the beginning. 
There is enough timber in the frame work of 
this structure to build two houses such as 
are in use at the present day. For sixty 
years has this building looked out upon the 
surrounding landscape — a mute witness of 
the development and progress of the cotm 



594 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ty. The father of our subject took an act- 
ive part in the early upbuilding and develop- 
ment of this portion of the state and his 
brother, Levin, was also a pioneer settler, 
who became an extensive landowner, pur- 
chasing many farms from squatters. Hen- 
son Vinson, St., died in 1848, at the age 
of fifty years and his wife passed away in 
February, 1897, at the very advanced age of 
one hundred and two years. 

Mr. Vinson of this review has never 
been away from the old homestead for three 
months at a time. He can remember the 
first cook stove brought into the neighbor- 
hood. It was a step sto\e, owned by his 
brother Levin. Our subject made a trip to 
Chicago with ox-teams taking with him a 
load of apples and meat and returning with 
salt and a cook stove. In order to see that 
wonderful piece of household furniture 
neighbors came for miles, for previous to 
this time all cooking was done over the fire- 
place in iron kettles or skillets, while corn- 
pone was baked on a smooth board with a 
flat iron behind it. When neighbors killed 
their hogs the meat was divided and thus all 
got to share in the supply of pork. 

On the 31st of October, 1867, Mr. Vin- 
son wedded Marian Hall, who was born in 
Putnam county, Indiana. She died May 
17, 1883, at the age of thirty-nine years, 
ten months and two days, leaving three chil- 
dren : Nora, now the wife of Joseph Broth- 
ers of Oakwood township, by whom she 
had two children. Pearl and Clyde; Mary, 
the wife of John Olihy, of South Dakota, 
by whom she has four children; and Ida, 
who is living in Danville. In 1893 Mr. 
Vinson was united in marriage to Harriet 
O'Neil, of Vermilion county. He now owns 
about one hundred acres of rich farming 



land on section i, Oakwood township. He 
served as school director for sixteen years 
and in politics is a stanch Republican. 



JOHX W. NEWLOX. 

From the time when as a soldier boy of 
the Civil war John Newlon placed himself 
on the side of his country's protectors down 
through various official positions to the 
present time, he has manifested unswerving 
loyalty to the United States. Both local ad- 
vancement and national progress are causes 
dear to his heart and in various offices he 
has manifested unswerving fidelity to the 
trust reposed in him. John W. Newlon is a 
native of Oakwood township, Vermilion 
county, born June 13, 1840. His father, 
Thomas B. Newlon, was born in Harrison 
county, Virginia, and wedded I\Irs. Ange- 
line Griffith Makemson, a native of Wayne 
county, Indiana, and a daughter of Stephai 
Griffith, who became a resident of Ver- 
milion county, Illinois, in 1826. At that 
time Mrs. Newlon was nine years of age 
and to-day she is more than ninety, but she 
still resides in Kansas and is enjoying good 
health. Thomas Newlon, the father of our 
subject, accompanied his father, John New- 
lon, to Vermilion county in 1837, removing 
thither from Champaign county, Ohio. 
They settled in Catlin township and after 
the marriage of the parents of our subject 
they took up their abode in Oakwood town- 
ship, where Mr. Newlon followed general 
farming for a number of years and was also 
actively identified with the development of 
his portion of the state. In 1866 he re- 
moved with his familv to Kansas but in 




JOHN W. NEWLON. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



599 



1872 returned to Vermilion county and 
spent his remaining days in Danville, pass- 
ing away in February, 1877. 

John W. Newlon was the eldest of the 
seven children of the family and was reared 
upon the home farm, attending the common 
schools in the winter months and afterward 
suplementing his earh^ education through 
reading, study at home and through experi- 
ence and observation. Thus he became well 
informed and for several years he taught 
school, but during much of his life he has 
carried on farming and has been largely en- 
gaged in buying and shipping stock, car- 
rying on extensive operations in that wa}'. 

In the month of June, 1861, Mr. New- 
lon attained his majority and in July he 
enlisted for ser\ice in Company I, Thirty- 
fifth Illinois Infantry, with which he was 
connected until 1864. He participated in 
the battles of Pea Ridge, Stone River, Cor- 
inth, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and 
went with Sherman on the Atlanta cam- 
paign. At Kenesaw Mountain he was 
slightly wounded and he was twice taken 
prisoner, but he managed to elude the vigi- 
lance of his captors and both times suc- 
ceeded in making his escape. At the close 
of his term he was mustered out at Spring- 
field with the rank of sergeant. He then 
returned to his native township and was en- 
gaged in general farming and in teaching 
school until the close of the war. 

On the 19th of September, 1865, Mr. 
Newlon was married to Ivea E. Taylor, a 
daughter of Thomas A. and Ivea (Allen) 
Taylor, who came to Vermilion county in 
1853 and located in Catlin township, where 
Mr. Taylor died September 19. 1876. His 
wife survived him several years, departing 
this life in 1893 in her seventy-eighth year. 
Mrs. Newlon continued her education until 
she had reached the senior vear in the high 



school of Springfield, Illinois. She was 
born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, Febru- 
ary 2, 1845, ^"d after her marriage she 
went with her husband to Winterset, Iowa, 
but a year later they returned to Vermilion 
county. Their children are Temperance 
Jane; Nora, the wife of H. B. Catlett, by 
whom she has four children — Roland J., 
Elizabeth Ashton, Stanley B. and Eugene 
Leigh; Mildred, who is at home; Lena, also 
at home; and Lowell T., who is assistant 
teller in the First National Bank of Dan- 
ville and married Miss Vera Seed, by whom 
he has one son, John. 

Mr. Newlon of this review has been 
quite prominent in his community, having 
been called to various laublic offices. For 
three terms he served as supervisor of Cat- 
lin township and was also collector and as- 
sessor there. In 1888 he came to Danville 
and was appointed deputy sheriff under J. 
C. Gundy, filling that office for two years. 
In 1890 he was elected sheriff and for four 
years acted in that capacity, during which 
time there occurred the great strike of the 
American Railway Union and at the same 
time five thousand miners in Vermilion 
county went out on a strike. The exigencies 
of the position were such as have seldom 
been imposed upon a county official, but he 
met the diftlculties which confronted him 
and the seven companies of militia who were 
called into service were all under his direc- 
tion. He proved himself most capable in 
handling the troops and in mastering the 
situation at this critical time and the peo- 
ple manifested their confidence in him and 
their approval of his course by electing him 
county treasurer without opposition when 
his term as sheriff' had expired. He served 
for four years as treasurer and in 1898 he 
became chief deputy sheriff, serving for 
three and one-half vears under lames Sloan, 



6oo 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



He was then appointed commissary in the 
Danville branch of the National Home for 
disableil soldiers and has since acted in this 
capacity. 

Mr. Xewlon has always been an active 
member of the Republican party and has 
served several years as a delegate to the 
county and state conventions. He was as- 
sistant sergeant-at-arms at the St. Louis 
convention when William McKinley was 
nominated for the presidency and for sev- 
eral terms he has served as a central com- 
mitteeman. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, belongs to Vermilion Chapter, 
No. 89. R. A. M., and to Athelstan Com- 
mandery, No. 45, K. T. Both he and his 
wife are zealous members and active work- 
ers in the Cumberland Presbyterian church. 
He owns a splendid farm in Catlin town- 
ship in addition to town property, and in 
Danville and Vermilion county Air. Newlon 
ranks among those whose worth to the com- 
munity is widely recognized. His public 
career will bear the light of the strongest 
investigation and scrutiny for his fidelity 
to duty has ever been one of the strongest 
elements in his career. 



O. M. DANIEL. 



O. M. Daniel, who is now living a retired 
life in Dan\ille, was born in Roxbury, New 
York, June 19, 1843. a son of Aaron Burr 
and Cornelia Ann (Mofifett) Daniel, both 
of whom were natives of the Empire state. 
The Daniels family are descendants of the 
Sturgis family, to whom Jay Gould also 
traced his ancestry. They came originally 
from Scotland and settled in New York. 
The parents of O. M. Daniel were married 



in New York, after which they located in 
the town of Deposit, the father there en- 
gaging in farming. After the death of his 
first wife he married Phebe Ogden, also a 
native of New York. About 1870 he re- 
moved to Danville, Illinois, where he en- 
gaged in farming and contracting. He as- 
sisted in the construction of the Paris & 
Danville Railroad, now a branch of the Big 
Four system, and then retired from business 
life. In politics he was a Democrat and was 
a member of the Presbyterian church. He 
died about 1891 and is survived by his sec- 
ond wife, who is still living near Danville. 
By the first marriage there were seven chil- 
dren, of whom four are living: O. M., of 
this review ; Ella, who is married and resides 
in Chicago ; Sarah, the widow of James 
Thompson, her home being near Danville; 
and Mrs. Cornelia Smith, of Kansas. By 
the second marriage there were four chil- 
dren : Charles, who resides in Indiana ; 
William, of Danville; Irving, of Catlin, Illi- 
nois ; and Leslie, who resides with his 
mother. 

In the public schools of Deposit, New 
York, O. M. Daniel pursued his education 
and in the year of 1861 came to Danville, 
where he began earning his living by driv- 
ing a team for the firm of Donlain & Daniel, 
coal dealers, with whom he remained for twcv 
years. He then spent six months as night 
operator and ticket agent in what was called 
the Great ^^'estern depot. He next went to- 
Champaign, Illinois, and for six months 
was employed as a brakeman on the road, 
after which he was advanced to the position 
of conductor and sent to the southern dis- 
trict of Illinois, running between Centralia 
and Cairo. For a year and a half he re- 
mained with the road and then returned to 
New York. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



60 1 



The object of his visit was his marriage, 
which occurred on the 3d of June, 1871, the 
lady of his choice being Miss Jane Thomp- 
son, who was born in Delhi, New York, 
May 8, 1841, a daughter of Robert Thomp- 
son, whose birth occurred in Scotland. After 
coming to America he was married in Delhi, 
New York, to Helen Shaw, a native of that 
place. In order to provide for his family 
he first learned the stone mason's trade and 
afterward carried on farming. His last 
years were spent in Deposit, New York,, 
where his death occurred about 1894, while 
his wife passed away in 1898. He belonged 
to the Baptist church and gave his political 
support to the Democracy. In his family 
were thirteen children, of whom five are 
yet living : Jane, now the wife of Mr. Dan- 
iel; Helen, the wife of John Faulkner, a resi- 
dent of Deposit, New York; Robert, who is 
living in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, and 
Everett and Etta, who are also residents of 
that place. The home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Daniel has been blessed with five children, 
but Orin, the first born, died in Danville. 
Alvin married Anna Smith, by whom he has 
a daughter, Edna, and their home is near 
Danville. Fred, a resident of Chicago, Illi- 
nois, married Jennie Faulkner, and has two 
children. Perry is physical instructor of 
the Young Men's Christian Association, of 
Salt Lake City, Utah. Effie L. resides with 
her parents and is a member of the class of 
1903 in the high school. 

Mr. Daniel has fifty acres of land two 
miles south of Danville and also owns a 
good home and other real estate in the city. 
To some extent he buys and sells coal, but 
is now practically living a retired life. In 
politics he has always been a Democrat, but 
has ever refused to hold office. Some years 
ago he became the candidate for county 



sherifif and succeeded in reducing the usual 
Republican majority of thirty-three hundred 
to nine hundred, a fast which indicates his 
personal popularity and the confidence re- 
posed in him by his fellow townsmen. He 
belongs to the IModern Woodmen of Ameri- 
ca and to the Benevolent and Protective Or- 
der of Elks in Danville. Having long re- 
sided in this county he is widely known and 
enjoys the respect and good will of those 
with whom he has been associated. 



JOHN TEXAS DAVIS. 

John Texas Davis is a representative of 
one of the honored pioneer families of Ver- 
milion county. Through more than fifty 
years he has been a witness of the progress 
and upbuilding of this portion of the state 
because he has spent his entire life here. 
He was born in Vance township, September 
17, 1850, his parents being James and 
America (Boggess) Davis, who are repre- 
sented on another page of this work. At 
the usual age the subject of this review be- 
gan his education as a student in the Wal- 
nut Grove schoolhouse and there he contin- 
ued his studies until he reached the age of 
twenty years, attending, however, mostly 
in the winter seasons, while during the 
naonths of the summer he worked in the 
fields from the time of early plowing and 
planting until the crops were gathered in 
the autumn. He assisted in the cultivation 
of the home farm until he was twenty-three 
years of age and then removed to the farm 
upon which he is now living, it having since 
been his home. It gives evidence of the care 
and labor which he has bestowed upon it 
in its well tilled fields, excellent improve- 
ments and neat and thrifty appearance. 



602 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



On the I3tli of February, 1873, in Vance 
township, was celebrated the marriage of 
Mr. Davis and Miss Jennie Gilbert, a na- 
tive of Ohio. By this marriage there has been 
born one son, James Roy, who resides upon 
one of his father's farms. He married Myr- 
tie Rogers and they have two children, 
Daisy D. and Texas Eugene. On the 15th 
of August, 1888, in Danville, j\Ir. Davis 
wedded Katie Thomas, who was born in 
Nyesville, Indiana, on the 31st of July, 
1864. Her father, Andrew J. Thomas, was 
a native of Kentucky, and when he had 
reached years of maturity he wedded Sarah 
J. Dice, whose birth occurred in Indiana. 
They were married in Rockville of the latter 
state. The mother of INIrs. Davis died in 
August, 1S75. but the father is still living, 
his home being in Conkeytown. He is a 
farmer by occupation, having followed that 
pursuit throughout his entire life. His po- 
litical sui)])orl is given to the Republican 
party. In his family were nine children, of 
whom four are yet living. 

Mr. Davis is the owner of two hundred 
acres of very rich and valuable land on sec- 
tion 7, Vance township. It was formerly 
the property of his paternal grandfather and 
has since been in possession of the family. 
He is a partner in the ownership of the 
famous Shire stallion, Newton Ladd, and 
is extensively engaged in breeding horses, 
in which Ijranch of business he has been very 
successful. He also buys and sells horses 
and Poland China hogs, and as a stock deal- 
er is very widely known, being one of the 
leading representatives of this business in 
^''ermilion county. As a general farmer he 
is also prospering and his enterprise and 
capable management are important elements 
in his success. 

Although his life is a busy one he yet finds 



time to support the principles in which he 
believes, and is an ardent Republican. He 
has always refused to hold oiilice, however. 
Socially he is connected v.ith Homer Lodge, 
No. 199, F. & A. }>!., having been made a 
Mason there when twenty-four years of age. 
He also belongs to the chapter at Homer and 
is a Knight Templar of Athelstane Com- 
mandery, No. 45, K. T. of Danville. He 
has attained to the thirty-second degree of 
the Scottish Rite, and is a member of the 
consistory and Mohammed Temple of the 
^Mystic Shrine at Peoria. He holds member- 
ship relations with ti:e Modern Woodmen 
of America and the Court of Honor, and is 
popular in these organizations because of 
his good fellowship, genial spirits and cor- 
dial manner. 



JOHN D. CA^IPBELL. 

John D. Campbell is now practically liv- 
ing retired but still owns and operates his 
valuable farm property on section 23, New- 
ell township, where he has long lived and 
where he lias two hundred and five acres of 
rich land, well improved with substantial 
bulidings. His birth place was on section 
26, Newell township, south of his present 
home and his natal day was June 7, 1843. 
Flis parents were Joseph and Eliza 
(Makemson) Campbell, the former a native 
of Seneca county. New York, the latter of 
Harrison county, Kentucky, His grandfa- 
ther, Samuel Campbell, came to Vermilion 
county about 1828. settling on the farm on 
which the birth of our subject occurred. 
He made the journey overland in a covered 
wagon from New York to Ohio and then 
some of his sons came ahead to Vermilion 
countv, being later followed by the parents, 




J. D. CAMPBELL. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



607 



Avho lived first in a little log cabin sur- 
rounded by Indian neighbors. There they 
underwent all the hardships and trials inci- 
dent to the establishment of a home upon 
the frontier. Later the little log cabin was 
replaced by a more substantial and modern 
residence and was the home of Mr. and 
Mrs. Samuel Campbell until called to their 
final rest at an advanced age. In their fam- 
ily were eight children, of whom Joseph 
Campbell was the young'est son. After his 
father's death he purchased the interest of 
the other heirs in the old homestead and 
there carried on agricultural pursuits until 
his own death, which occurred March 7, 
1858, when he was forty-one years of age. 
He was the father of three sons and two 
daughters. 

John D. Campbell, the eldest son and 
the second in order of birth, pursued his ed- 
ucation in the district schools, the little tem- 
ple of learning- being a log schoolhouse, 
seated with slab benches and heated b)' an 
immense fire-place, from which the smoke 
made its egress through a mud stick chim- 
ney. The school was conducted on the sui> 
scription plan. His father served as a mem- 
ber of the school board at the time when the 
log school building was replaced by a frame 
structure and also acted in that position be- 
fore the building of the new schoolhouse. 
Mr. Campbell of this review attended school 
for about three months in the winter and 
throughout the remainder of the year as- 
sisted in the work of the home farm. Later 
he engaged in teaching school, having about 
forty or fifty scholars. After a time, how- 
ever, he devoted his entire energies to farm 
work and for more than thirtj^-five years 
has been identified successfully with agri- 
cultural interests. At the age of twenty-five 
years he married Julia Howard, the wed- 



ding ceremon)' being performed October 13, 
1869, by the Rev. J. S. Johnson. Four chil- 
dren were born unto them, of whom two 
are yet living. Ida is the wife of O. M. 
Berr}', of Newell township, whom she 
wedded December 18, 1895. Joseph How- 
ard is a practicing physician of Bismarck. 
He attended the high school of Danville and 
for one term was a student in Greer College 
of Hoopeston. He afterward entered Kan- 
kakee Hospital, where he was employed for 
about four or five years and there he met 
Beatrice May Krohn, an experienced nurse, 
to whom he was married August 22, 1900. 
Determining to make the practice of medi- 
cine his life work he entered the college of 
Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago and 
was graduated on the 20th of May, 1902. 
Immediately afterward he opened his ofifice 
in Bismarck and is now successfully engaged 
in practice. After the death of his first w-ife 
Mr. Campbell, of this review, was married 
to Miss Mary K. Barger, the wedding cere- 
mony being performed liy Re\-. H. Woods 
on the 22d of May, 1888. Her parents 
were \\'i]liam Charles and Ann (Barns) 
Barger, the latter a native of Kentucky. 
Her father was born in Newell township, 
where his father had located in an early day, 
coming to the west from Ohio. Mrs. Camp- 
bell was the eldest of five children, three sons 
and two claughters, all of whom are living, 
her birth occurring in Newell township, Oc- 
tober 26, 1 86 1. She pursued her education 
in Stateline, Indiana, and by her marriage 
she has become the mother of three chil- 
dren : Jessie ]M., Bessie D. and McCowan. 
Mr. Campbell has been quite successful 
in his business affairs. He located on his 
present farm about 1868 and has since de- 
voted his energies to general farming and 
stock-raising, although at the present time 



6o8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



lie is largely living retired. He lias made 
a specialty of handling shorthorn cattle and 
their ready sale upon the market has 
brought to him a good return. He now 
rents the greater part of his farm, the in- 
come from his property supplying him with 
all the comforts and many of the luxuries 
of life. He saw Dan\ille before there was 
a railroad in the town and in those early 
days all grain was hauled to Covington. He 
also remembers well when the stage coaches 
ran from Terre Haute to Danville and to 
Chicago, going north along the state road. 
All travel in that period was by river, cana! 
and stage. In the work of progress and im- 
provement ]\Ir. Campbell has always taken 
a deep and active interest, doing everything 
in his power to promote the general good. 
For about nine }'ears altogether he has ser\-ed 
as commissioner of highways and for thirty 
years he has acted as school director, taking 
a helpful part in erecting schools and secur- 
ing competent teachers. He is a devoted 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church 
at Stateline and for several years he has 
been one of its trustees. His wife is a mem- 
ber of the Christian church. Mr. Campbell 
belongs to the Masonic fraternity at State- 
line and to the Odd Fellows Society and for 
a number of years he has been active in fra- 
ternal circles, but now largely leaves this 
work to younger men. Both he and his 
wife are well known in Vermilion county 
and enjoy the warm regard of those with 
whom they have come in contact. They are 
now favorably situated in a comfortable 
home which has been gained through their 
combined and well directed efforts. IMr. 
Campbell has cleared much timber land in 
this county and has assisted materially in 
making the county what it is to-day, one of 
the richest counties in this great state. 



T. H. RUXYOX. M. D. 

Dr. T. H. Runyon of Tilton was born in 
Mason county, Kentucky, April 25. 18.^1, 
his parents l:)eing Daniel and Ruth (Rob- 
inson) Runyon. The paternal grandparents 
were Daniel and Rachel Runyon, the former 
born August 28, 1750, died December 26, 
1817, while the latter, whose birth occurred 
May 13, 1752, survived her husband until 
December 2y, 1833. The father of our sub- 
ject was born in Kentucky, May 23, 1788, 
and died May 6, 1876. He married Ruth 
Robinson, who was born in Kentucky, 
March 22, 1788, and died February 3, 
1857. In their family were nine chil- 
dren and two sisters of the Doctor are 
now li\ing — Mrs. Sarah Worthington and 
Mrs. Mary W'ritt, both of 'whom are resi- 
dents of Kentucky. The Doctor has 
recently visited them and the former is now 
eighty-five years of age and the latter sev- 
enty-four years of age. The members of 
his father's family who have passed away 
are: J. R.. who died in 1900, at the age of 
eighty-eight; W. G., who died in 1843: R. 
L., who was born in 181 2 and died in 1876; 
E. A., who was born December 5, 1821, and 
departed this life December 27, 1899; Asa. 
who died in infancy; and E. J., who was 
born October 17, 1826, and passed away 
March 9, 1852. 

Dr. Runyon spent the days of his boy- 
hood and youth in his native state, coming 
to Vermilion county in 1869. He had ac- 
quired his literary education in Kentucky 
and pursued his medical course in the Jef- 
ferson Medical College of Philadelphia, 
where he was graduated in the class of 1855. 
He began practice in Mason county. Ken- 
tucky, and in i860 he went to Louisiana, 
practicing in Concordia Parish until the fall 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



609 



of 1861. He then enlisted as a private of 
Company F, First Louisiana Cavalry, under 
Colonel John S. Scott and Lieutenant Col- 
onel J. O. Nixon of New Orleans. With 
the command Dr. Runyoji was sent to Bow- 
ling Green and was promoted to the rank of 
sergeant. He participated in the battles of 
Fort Donelson, Chickamauga, Lookout 
Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Springhill. 
Kentucky; Big Hill, Kentucky; Stone Riv- 
er, Perryville and others of minor import- 
ance, and was mustered out at Holly 
Springs, Mississippi, in May, 1865. He 
acted as officer's guard and most of the time 
was assistant surgeon. He also aided in 
making the exchanges of prisoners on nu- 
merous occasions. His experience as as- 
sistant surgeon proved of value to him ii 
his later practice. At the close of the war 
he returned to Mason county, Kentucky, 
where he established an office and continued 
in practice until 1869. when he arrived in 
Catlin, Vermilion county, Illinois. Here 
he opened an office and continued in the 
prosecution of his profession until 1876, 
when he left for Florida. Later he returned 
to McLean county, Illinois, and subsequent- 
ly settled in Perrysville, Indiana, but in 1880 
he again went to Catlin, where he remained 
continuously until 1902, when he removed 
to Tilton, where he is now located. He is 
examiner for a number of the old line in- 
surance companies. 

Dr. Runyon was married February 26, 
1867. in Minerva, Kentucky, to Miss Cora 
Lee Triplett, a daughter of Dr. and Martha 
(Anderson) Triplett, the former a native 
of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. Mrs. 
Runyon was their second child and was born 
in Kentucky June 21, 1845. She died Aug- 
ust 27. 1880, leaving three children, while 



three had also passed away in infancy. 
Those still living are: William H., of In- 
dian Territory; Kate L., the wife of A. L. 
Olmsted of Tilton, by whom she has three 
children — Orvil, Ward and Ruth; and Clay, 
of Oklahoma, who married Miss Albright 
and has one daughter, Ruth. On the 5 th 
of April, 1883, Dr. Runyon was again mar- 
ried, his second union being with Tillie A. 
Onley, a daughter of William and Mary 
(Adams) Onley. She was born in London, 
England, October 20, 1847, ^'""^ her par- 
ents, also natives of that country, came to 
Vermilion county at an early day. ]\Irs. 
Runyon was educated in this state and has 
made three trips across the Atlantic. 

The Doctor is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, of which he has been examining 
physician and he also belongs to the Court 
of Honor and is a charter member of Cat- 
lin Lodge, I. O. O. F. He has served as 
school director for a number of years and he 
\-otes for men and measures rather than for 
party. Both he and his wife are members 
of the Christian church of Danville. Th« 
Doctor has seen many changes in this coun- 
ty, has witnessed the development of Dan- 
ville from a small village. He has ridden 
for miles across the country in the early 
days of his professional career here and is 
now one of the oldest physicians in this part 
of the state, being still actively engaged in 
practice, although now in his seventy-first 
year. He has in his possession a coverlet 
which his mother wove. He has seen the 
flax used in his mother's home, the garments 
for the men being made of jeans and gar- 
ments for the girls and women of linsey. 
He has seen the dipped candles and remem- 
bers when the candle mold came into use. 
With matters of growth and improvement 



^10 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



in ^'emliIion county he has been identified, 
ever taking a deep interest in what has tend- 
ed to promote the general welfare. 



-MARCUS C. DAVIS. 

IMarcus Cerelious Davis, who carries on 
general farming in Pilot township, was 
born in Pickaway county, Ohio, November 
lo, 1833, his parents being Owen and Mar- 
garet (Nefif) Davis. They were married 
in the Buckeye state, of which the father 
was a native, while the mother's birth oc- 
curred in Virginia. Both now have depart- 
ed this life. In their family were three chil- 
dren: Absalom; Mary, the wife of Thomas 
Snider; and Marcus Cerelious, all yet liv- 
ing in Pilot township. 

Mr. Davis, whose name introduces this 
record, spent the first eighteen years of his 
life in the county of his nativity and pur- 
sued his education in an old log schoolhouse 
with its accessories and old time appoint- 
ments. It was about 1S48 that he came to 
the west, settling in Pilot township. On at- 
taining his majority he left home and was 
married in Pickaway county, Ohio, on the 
2d of May, 1853, to Miss Mary Nefif, whose 
birth occurred in Plardy county, Virginia, 
August 19, 1832. j\lrs. Davis has but one 
living brother, Peter Neff, who still resides 
in Ohio. They are the only surviving mem- 
bers of her father's family. 

Immediately after his marriage Mr. 
Davis returned to this part of Illinois, set- 
tling in Pilot township, and has since lived 
upon his present farm on section 23. He 
began his domestic life here with a cash 
capital of about two hundred dollars. From 
his father he rented land and also operated 
other leased land for several rears, but as 



time passed he added more and more to his 
savings until he was enabled to purchase his 
present farm, comprising one hundred acres 
on sections 14, 19, and 23, Pilot township, 
and ten acres in Blount township. Here he 
devotes his energies to the cultivation of 
the fields and to the raising of crops best 
adapted to the soil and climate, and also 
keeps a good grade of stock upon the farm, 
but while he is yet living on the old home 
place the work of the farm is largely per- 
formed by his son, so that he is enjoying a 
well merited rest. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Davis were born 
six children, but the first born died in in- 
fancy, and George, whose birth occurred 
June 3, 1855, passed away on the 12th of 
June of the same year. Ilettie, born No- 
vember 18, 1856, is the wife of John Craig, 
of Oakwood township, and they have eight 
children, Minnie, Mabel, Maude, May, 
Edith, Nellie, Willie and Emily. INIary, 
born February 7, i860, is tlie widow of 
Charlie Cork, and lives with her father. 
Absalom John, who was born June 28, 
1865, married Nettie Cork, by whom he had 
three children, Robert L., Glenn V. and 
Cord McLean, but the mother died Feb- 
ruary 13, 1896, and on the 7th of Septem- 
ber, 1898, Mr. Absalom J. Davis was again 
married, his second union being with Flora 
\\'iltermood.- Josie, born October 26, 1870, 
is the wife of Charles Vinson, of Pilot town- 
ship. l)y whom she has two children. Ross 
and Clarence. 

Mr. Davis is a member of the Church 
of Christ, at Charity, and for several years 
has served as its steward. He gives his 
political support to the Republican party 
and is serving as a school trustee. He has 
also been road commissioner and school di- 
rector, belongs to Newto\vn Lodge, No. 
714, F, & A. M.. and is a worthy examplar 




MRS. M. C. DAVIS. 




M. C. DAVIS. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



6is 



of the craft, his hfe being in harmony with 
its teachings of mutual helpfulness and 
brotherly kindness. During the long years 
of his residence in Vermilion county he has 
ever lived as to command the respect and 
good will of those with whom he has been 
associated. He has seen the county develop 
from a wild frontier district into one of the 
richest portions of this great state, and in 
the work of development and progress he 
has borne his part and taken deep interest 
in what has been accomplished here. 



JAMES DAVIS. 

The citizen who comes to Vermilion 
county to-day enjoys all the privileges and 
advantages known to the older east, who 
is surrounded by the evidences of progress 
and de\-elopment known to the world in the 
last half century cannot realize what was 
the condition which the pioneer of fifty years 
ago faced. The Davis family is one of the 
oldest of the county and James Davis well 
deserves honorable mention among the early 
settlers who, taking up their abode here 
upon the frontier, reclaimed this wild dis- 
trict for the uses of the white man and 
sought the raw land for purposes of civiliza- 
tion, that it might be made rich and pro- 
ductive farms. 

James Davis was born in the state of 
Ohio, January 21, 1828, and in various lines 
the family ancestry can be traced back to 
Wales, Ireland and Scotland. Henry Davis, 
his father, was born on the 20th of Septem- 
ber, 1781, and served his country as a valiant 
soldier in the war of 181 2. His uncle Van 
Meter was one of the heroes of the Revolu- 
tion and owned a powder horn which was 
brought from England and which was car- 



ried in the battle which resulted in the de- 
feat of Braddock. It is now a highly prized 
family heirlooms in the possession of George 
'Davis. After arriving at years of maturity 
Henry Davis married Miss Rachel Pollock, 
who was born June 3, 1785, and they be- 
came the parents of ten children : Azariah 
married Jane Conner but both are now de- 
ceased ; Samuel died in infancy ; William 
married Elizabeth Hays, of Ohio, and after 
her death he wedded Mrs. Mary Jane (Cot- 
lett) Lee; Jane became the wife of Moses 
Hays and they resided near Homer, Illinois, 
but both are now deceased; Abraham mar- 
ried Electa Stearns and for a time they re- 
sided in this county, but afterward removed 
■ to Iowa and died in Wapello county, north 
of Ottumwa; Joseph was married in Iowa, 
in May, 1849, 'i"^ his widow now resides 
in that state ; Van Meter wedded Mary Ann 
Copeland and after her death married Katie 
Callahan, who died in 1893, since which 
time he has married Elvira Thompson and 
they make their home in Danville; Martha 
became the wife of John T. Hardin, a resi- 
dent of Hardin county, Iowa, where she 
died in August, 1892; John died in Te^as 
at the age of twenty-four years ; and the 
other member of the family is James Davis 
of this review. The father of this family 
died in 1855 and the mother's death oc- 
curred November i, 1848. 

Educated in the district school and 
reared upon his father's farm, James Davis 
early became familiar with the occupation 
which he has made his life work. In early 
manhood he was married to Miss America 
J. Boggess, who comes of Scotch-Irish an- 
cestry, and who was born in Vermilion coun- 
ty, Illinois, on the 3d of May, 1833. Her 
father, John Boggess, was a native of Green- 
brier county, Virginia, and his wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Jane McCorkel, 



6i6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



was also born in the Old Dominion. Unto 
them were born eleven children : ^Villiam, 
who died at the age of twenty-one years ; 
Diana, who became the wife of Joseph Grif- 
fith and resided in Vermilion county, but 
both are now deceased ; Becky, the wife of 
William Ray, a resident of Delevan, Mor- 
rison county, Kansas ; Harvey, deceased, 
who married Emma White and resided in 
Kansas; Charles, who married Hulda Patter- 
son and resides in Homer, Illinois; America 
J., the wife of our subject; Perry, who 
wedded Alary Lightner and after her death 
married Lizzie Austin, who also passed 
away, since which time he married Antoinetta 
Elliott, their home being now in Catlin town- 
ship, this county; John, who married Bella 
Piper and is a physician of Catlin, Illinois; 
and three who died in early childhood. 

The marriage of James and America 
Davis was blessed with two children : John 
Texas, who was born September 17, 1850; 
and Rachel A., born November 19, 1852. 
She is the wife of E. R. Danforth, a produce 
commission merchant of Danville, Illinois, 
and they have two living children, Jennie 
and James. 

Throughout the years of an active busi- 
ness career James Davis has carried on 
farming. Coming to Vermilion county 
when this district was upon the western 
frontier he secured a tract of wild land and 
with characteristic energy began its develop- 
ment, transforming it into a productive 
tract. As the years passed he added to his 
possessions until he had about four hundred 
acres. He still resides upon a farm in 
Vance township, one of the esteemed and 
worthy pioneers who deserves much credit 
for the active and helpful part which he has 
taken in the development and upbuilding of 
his adopted county. 



GENERAL ROBERT H. CARNAHAN. 

General Robert H. Carnahan was born 
in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, Sep- 
tember 21, 1823, and therefore his life rec- 
ord covers more than eighty years. In this 
long period he has displayed a patriotic 
spirit which, whether it be an inheritance 
from his Revolutionary ancestors or an in- 
herent quality, has made him a citizen of 
worth. He traces his lineage from Robert 
Carnahan, who was a valiant soldier of the 
Continental Army and was detached from 
his command by General Washington to 
guard the frontier. As an Indian scout he 
gained considerable reputation and did ef- 
fective and valient service in defending the 
borders against the advances of the hostile 
red men. He had two relatives who were 
also in the war and one of them went down 
the river with Aaron Burr on the filibuster- 
ing expedition which has become a matter 
of history, settling in Louisiana. The Carn- 
ahan family is of Scotch-Irish descent and 
the father of our subject was a cousin of 
Professor Carnahan, president of Prince- 
ton College, who was the preacher that de- 
livered the funeral sermon over the remains 
of Aaron Burr. Pie often visited at the 
home of William Carnahan. In the early 
days when William Penn led his colony into 
the state which was named in his honor, the 
Carnahans crossed the Delaware river into 
that district and through many generation? 
representatives of the name were prominent 
in public affairs of Pennsylvania. William 
Carnahan was born in Cumberland county, 
as was his wife, who bore the maiden name 
of Mary Houston. Their marriage occurred 
in that country and the father there car- 
ried on agricultural pursuits in order to pro- 
vide for his familv until his removal west- 





€i yH^c 




THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



619 



\vard when lie took up his abode in Foun- 
tain county, Indiana, where he remained un- 
til called to his final rest. The mother of 
our subject died in 1824 and the father 
married Margaret Cooper, of Cumberland 
count}', Pennsylvania. In his political 
views he was a Republican and was an earn- 
est Christian man who long held member- 
ship in the Presbyterian church and for 
many years sen-ed as one of its elders. He 
died in the spring of 1870 and his second 
wife passed away in 1882. By the first mar- 
riage there were two children, the brother 
of our subject being Andrew Carnahan, 
who served as a member of the state legis- 
lature in Indiana, and died in Covington, in 
1852. By the second marriage there were 
three daughters and two sons, and three of 
the number are yet living: Mary, who is 
the widow of Dr. Cole, and resides at Rob 
Roy, Indiana; Sarah, the widow of John 
McGiffort, and a resident in Duluth. ]\Iinne- 
sota : and John, who is living in Maysville, 
Tennessee. 

To a limited extent General Carnahan 
attended the schools of Cumberland county. 
Pennsylvania, but his education has been 
largely acquired in the school of experience, 
and therein he has learned many lessons of 
practical value. He remained upon the 
home farm until twenty-five years of age. 
after which he became a clerk in a ware- 
house in Attica. Indiana, and later he pur- 
chased the business continuing as a commis- 
sion merchant at that place until 1861. 

In the meantime General Carnahan was 
married on the ist of January, 1849, to 
Miss Eliza Davis, who was born in Newark, 
Licking county, Ohio, May 27, 1822, a 
daughter of Judge Zacliariah and Elizabeth 
(Roberts) Davis, the former a native of 
Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and the latter of 
Martinsburg. Virginia. They were mar- 



ried in Newark, Ohio, and in early life tlie 
Judge followed the wheelwright's trade, 
while later he devoted his energies to pork- 
packing, which business he carried on ex- 
tensively. A Republican in politics, a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity and also a 
member of the Presbyterian church — the 
character of the man is thus indicated, for 
his endorsement of the beneficent principles 
of the craft and the Christian teachings of 
the church was manifest in a life of up- 
rightness and honor. He died in 1865, and 
his wife passed away in 1848. In their 
family were eight children, six sons and two 
daughters, but only three of the number are 
now living: Mrs. Carnahan; Wylie, of 
Mahomet, Illinois; and William, of Mount 
Pleasant, Iowa. The home of General and 
Mrs. Carnahan was blessed with two chil- 
dren, the daughter being Clara, the wife of 
Thomas S. Parks, who is a clerk in the • 
treasury oflice in Washington, D. C, and 
by whom she has two children, Robert and 
Margaretta. The son, William ^McDowell, 
is engaged in the coal business in Chicago. 
General Carnahan continued in the com- 
mission business until after the inaugura- 
tion of the Civil war, but previous to the 
outbreak of hostilities he had watched with 
interest the progress of events in the south, 
had noticed the hostile attitude of certain 
commonwealths below the Mason and Dixon 
line and resolved that if a blow was struck 
to overthrow the Union he would strike one 
in its defense. Accordingly, in July, 1861, 
at Fairbury, Livingston county, Illinois, he 
offered his services to the government in de- 
fense of the country which his ancestors had 
aided in establishing and became a member 
of Company K, Third Illinois Cavalry, un- 
der command of Colonel, now General 
Eugene A. Carr. He was elected captain 
of his company and w-as mustered in at 



620 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Camp Butler, at Springfield, Illinois, by 
General Pitcher, after which the regiment 
went to St. Louis to join General Fremont. 
Later the Third Illinois proceeded to St. 
Charles, ]\Iissouri, and afterward to Spring- 
field, followed by a trip to Rolla and on to 
Lebanon, from whicli place they returned to 
Springfield with General Hunter, who suc- 
ceeded General Fremont, and later General 
Ciu'tis. In that locality Captain Carnahan 
with his command was engaged in scouting 
for a time and was in the rear of Springfield 
when Zargonia charged upon the city. La- 
ter the troops proceeded to Pea Ridge and 
from tliere \\-ith Curtis to Helena, Arkansas, 
and afterward were with General Shemian 
in the attack on \'icksburg and in the Yazoo 
river campaign. After the battle of Chick- 
asaw Bayou, in which the Union troops 
were repulsed. Captain Carnahan went to 
Arkansas with General JMcClernand and 
captured Arkansas Post with five thousand 
prisoners. Next they proceeded to Young's 
Point where they went into camp and at 
that place General Grant took command of 
the western army, following which he 
started for the rear of Vicksburg. At the 
battle of "Pea Ridge our subject had received 
the appointment as captain in charge of the 
battalion and this battalion was ordered 
with Grant in the spring of 1863. At 
Vicksburg it was attached to Osterhouse's 
Division under command of General Mc- 
Clernand and Captain Carnahan was ap- 
pointed provost marshal of the division, and 
also at siege of Vicksburg. Following the 
surrender of Vicksburg he was with bio 
command in the battles of Raymond, Cham- 
pion Hills and Big Black River, in the rear 
of Vicksburg, and subsequently the division 
was ordered to join Sherman, proceeding 
to Jackson, Mississippi. After the "surrend- 
er of that place Captain Carnahan returned 



to Vicksburg and. by General Grant was 
ordered to report with his battalion of cav- 
alry to General Banks of New Orleans, and 
following this order he next proceeded with 
Banks up the Red river. When the cam- 
paign in that part of the country was ended 
he went with General Franklin into the 
Tash Bayou country west of Louisiana, fol- 
lowing which he was attached to General 
McClernand's stafif, on the expedition up the 
Red river. After General Fremont's ex- 
pedition he remained in command of the 
post at Germanlown for a short time, later 
he recei\-ed orders to scout in western Ken- 
tucky, and then reported to General Paine 
in Paducah, that state. About this time his 
three years' temi of service expired and re- 
porting at Spring-field, Illinois, he was given 
command of a regiment of Illinois Veteran 
Cavalry and filled up the quota. This regi- 
ment was then stationed at Memphis, Ten- 
nessee, and afterward marched with Hatch 
to confront General Hood who at that time 
crossed the Tennessee river at Florence. 
The Union troops fell back in front of 
Hood, fighting day and night, a battle oc- 
curring each day until they reached Nasli- 
ville. Then occurred the siege and battles 
of Na.shville. The Union troops followed 
General Hood on his retreat to the Tennes- 
see river. Returning they went into camp 
at Gra\-elly Springs, near Paducah. Ken- 
tucky, where they remained for three weeks, 
when Colonel Carnahan was ordered to take 
his regiment to St. Louis and there report. 
In the latter city the regiment was equipped 
and then sent to join General Sibley, at St. 
Paul. Minnesota, at which place Colonel 
Carnahan was given command of the inde- 
pendent Indian expedition across the plains. 
He scouted all over the country in the Da- 
kotas and Montana clear to the British line 
and returned to Fort Snelling upon the lotb 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



621 



of October, 1865, when he was mustered 
out. He then took his regiment to Spring- 
field, Ilhnois, where the men were paid off. 
In recognition of his meritorious service he 
was brevetted brigadier general, an honor 
recommended by Governor Richard Ogles- 
by, and at Washington he was specially 
recommended for promotion by those high 
in authority. His commission was signed 
by President Johnson. When on the Red 
river expedition he had been detached from 
his regular command and was on General 
McClernand's staff, acting as chief of pick- 
ets of Thirteenth Army Corps on that occa- 
sion, his regiment at that time being at 
Memphis, Tennessee. General Carnahan 
never sustained a wound which he considered 
serious enough to cause him to retire from 
active service, although many times he suf- 
fered much from the Rebel bullets and had 
many narrow escapes. 

After being mustered out of the United 
States Army General Carnahan came to 
Danville and it is a noticeable fact in his 
career that while for many years he has held 
office he was never elected to a position of 
public trust, the honors coming to him by 
appointment from those Avho recognized his 
capability. He was chosen as assessor of 
internal revenue for this district when it com- 
prised eight counties, and for two years he 
acted in that capacity. On his retirement 
from the office he was elected superintendent 
of the Moss back, or Diamond coal mine, and 
for twelve years was connected with that 
business after which he was chosen quarter- 
master and commissary of the Soldiers 
Home at Quincy, Illinois, occupying that po- 
sition from the opening of the institution 
until a period of six years had passed. He 
then returned to Danville and has since lived 
a retired life making his home at the corner 
of Madison and Franklin streets where with 

25 



his estimable wife he resides. In his political 
views the General is a stalwart Republican 
and while he believes firnil}- in the principles 
of the party he has never been an office 
seeker. He belongs to the ^lasonic frater- 
nity, having been made a Alason in 1865, 
and he has attained the Knight Templar 
degree in the commander}^ of Danville. Both 
he and his wife attend the service of the 
Presbyterian church. General Carnahan 
rendered his country effective and signal 
service in the greatest war of modern times 
and high on the roll of fame should his name 
be inscribed. While in recent years his life 
has been more quietly passed, he has been 
no less loyal to duty and to the right, and 
throughout the city in which he makes his 
home he is honored and respected for what 
he has accomplished. He receives the vener- 
ation and regard which should ever be ac- 
corded those who have attained advanced 
years and which should ever be given to a 
man whose love of country is greater than 
personal considerations and whose faithful- 
ness to duty stands as the strongest element 
in his career. 



MRS. MARY JANE LANCASTER. 

Mrs. Mary J. Lancaster, who has many 
friends in Vermilion county and well de- 
serves mention in this history, was born 
July 8, 1858, Jn Carroll township, Vermilion 
county, Illinois, her parents being Mer- 
rick and Priscilla Patten, both of whom are 
now deceased. Her father was a farmer 
and came from Indiana to Illinois. In his 
family were the following named : Mahlon, 
who is a resident farmer of Georgetown and 
has one child, Mrs. Lancaster: Davis R.. 
who was a farmer and well driller of Ridge 
Farm, is married, and has four children : 



622 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Lilla; Allee, whose husband is a driller at 
Carmel, Indiana, ami has one child; and 
I. E., who is engaged in the real estate 
business in Houston, Texas. He is married 
and has two children. 

Under the parental roof Mary Jane 
Patten spent her girhood days and was in- 
terested in the duties of the household, so 
that she was well prepared to take care of 
a liome of her own at the time of her mar- 
riage. She pursued her education in the 
public schools and on the 25th of February, 
lS/"8, she gave her hand in marriage to 
Elwood Lancaster, of this county, a son 
of Robert and Martha Lancaster. His fa- 
ther is still living in Carmel, Indiana, at 
the age of eighty-si.x years and is a well 
preserved man able yet to visit among his 
relatives. Elwood Lancaster had seven 
brothers and five sisters. He was a farmer 
])\ occupation and at the time of their mar- 
riage he and his young wife removed to 
a beautiful farm which lies about two miles 
east and a mile north of Ridgefarm. Here 
Mrs. Lancaster has always remained. He 
was a good neiglibor, a Christian man, 
faithful friend and a devoted father and 
husband. As a citizen he was public-spirited 
and progressive and took much interest in 
whatever pertained to the general good and 
to the material upbuilding of his commun- 
ity, the cause of education finding in him a 
warm friend, and he desired that his chil- 
dren should have good educational privi- 
leges. In 1 89 1 he became ill of a fever, 
and on the 28th of November, of that year, 
was called to his final rest. He left behind 
him an honorable name and an example 
which is in many respects well worthy of 
emulation. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster were 
born five children. Mvrtle is now the wife 



of Wade Hampton, who is proprietor of a 
restaurant in Danville, Illinois. Addie, 
Albert, Ira, and Ekie, the last named now 
thirteen years of age, are still at home with 
their mother. The children have been pro- 
vided with good educational advantages. 
On completing the common-school course 
they ha\e entered high schools and Albert 
and Addie were graduated in the Vermilion 
Academy, with the class of 1901. Mrs. Lan- 
caster is a member of the Society of Friends, 
or Quakers, and is an earnest Christian 
woman, devoted to her family and to all 
that is ennobling and beneficial to the human 
race. 



GEORGE C. MAHOXEY. 

George C. Mahoney, who is now en- 
gaged in real estate operations in Hoopes- 
ton, largely handling his own property, was 
born in Madison county, Ohio, on the 5th of 
January. 1864, his parents being John and 
Elizabeth Mahoney, who are also residents 
of Hoopeston. The father was a farmer by 
occupation and took up his abode in Hoopes- 
ton in 1898, now living retired. He owns 
property on South Market street and is the 
possessor of a comfortable competence 
which supplies him with all the necessities 
and many of the luxuries of life. His chil- 
dren were : Lam'a, Kate, Mame, Sallie, 
Effie, Lemuel, John, Ed., Charlie and 
George. 

George C. Mahoney was but three years 
of age when brought by his family to Illi- 
nois, his parents settling in Ford county, 
where he was reared to manhood and pur- 
sued his education in the district schools. 
At the age of twenty-two years he left home 
and was united in marriage in 1886 to IMiss 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



625 



Alice A. Phebiis, who was born near Cov- 
ington. Indiana, in 1861. Her father, WiU- 
iam Phebus, is now Hving a retired hfe in 
Rankin, and is a well-to-do man, owning 
two hundred and forty acres of valnalile 
land together with several good properties 
in the town of Rankin. The living members 
of his family are, Emma, Katie, Grace, 
Frank, William, Orville, Delmer and Ira. 
Both yir. and Mrs. Mahoney were reared 
amid the scenes of farm life and educated 
in the district schools. Their marriage has 
been blessed with one child, Cora, who is 
now nine years of age, and they also lost 
one child in infancy. At the time of his 
marriage Mr. Mahoney began farming on 
his own account and successfully carried on 
agricultural pursuits for many years. He 
at first had few possessions, in fact at the 
time of his marriage he owned but little 
save a horse. He rented land for about ten 
years and then purchased a farm and as time 
passed he has gradually extended his pos- 
sessions until he is now rated among the 
substantial citizens of his community. He 
carried on his farm work until 1897. The 
year following he was engaged in the livery 
business in Rankin. He then traded his 
barn for one hundred and sixty acres of 
land south of East Lynn, and then he sold 
a number of lots. He also bought eighty 
acres of land in Vermilion county. His 
farm possessions in Ford county comprised 
one hundred and twenty acres which he 
traded for his livery business in Rankin, and 
he also owned eighty acres of land south of 
the town. He now has one hundred and ten 
acres near iVrcadia, Indiana. On selling 
the farm of one hundred and sixty acres in 
1898 lie removed to Hoopeston and here 
Ijegan dealing in real estate, which business 
he carried on for three years. He then pur- 



chased a grocery store which he conducted 
for seven months, during which time his 
business amounted to eight thousand dol- 
lars. He then sold out and re-entered the 
real estate business, dealing in both farm 
lands and town property. During his first 
connection with this line of activity he was 
associated with his father. He has pur- 
chased and sold land on his own investment 
and has always been successful. 

In his political views Mr. Mahoney is 
a stalwart Republican, taking an active in- 
terest in promoting the growth and insuring 
the success of his party, yet he has never 
been a candidate for office nor desired 
political honors. He is prominent in sev- 
eral civic societies, belonging to the Modern 
Woodmen of America, in which he has held 
office, and to the Knights of Pythias fra- 
ternity in which he is now serving as senior 
guard. Mr. Mahoney is widely known as 
a man of marked enterprise and though he 
has met some obstacles and difficulties in 
his path, he has steadily overcome these by 
persistent effort and to-day is numbered 
among- the successful men of his com- 
munitv. 



JOHN L. HAMILTON. 

John L. Hamilton has long occupied a 
prominent position in the foremost ranks 
of the financiers of Illinois. His life has 
been one of untiring activity and has been 
crowned with a high degree of success, yet 
he is not less esteemed as a citizen than as 
a man, and his kind)}' impulses and charm- 
ing cordiality of manner have rendered him 
exceedingly popular among all classes. 

John L. Hamilton was born on the 8tl'i 
of May, 1862, on a farm in Macoupin 



626 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



county, Illinois. His father John J^. 
Hamilton, Sr., died in Watseka, Illinois, in 
May, 1900, and the mother still lives there. 
He was a very preeminent and influential 
citizen and at the time of his death was 
serving as a member of the state legislature, 
having been elected on the Republican 
ticket four different times. He left the im- 
press of his individuality upon the legisla- 
tion enacted during his service and he was 
a man widely recognized as a leader of pub- 
lic thought and action and a molder of pub- 
lic opinion. He was commended, too, be- 
cause of his loyalty to the general good and 
his untiring efforts in behalf of the best in- 
terests of the state. His property holdings 
were extensive. He owned twenty-four 
hundred acres of land in Iroquois county, 
Illinois, and seventeen thousand acres of 
land in Texas. In his family were four 
sons : John I.., William A., Edward C. 
and George H. The last three' are all resi- 
dents of Iroquois county and are extensively 
engaged in the cattle business in Texas. 

When a small child of two years John 
L. Hamilton was taken to Iroquois county, 
the family settling near W^ellington. He 
obtained his education in the schools of 
Watseka. The family removed to that 
place in 1875, and when his father was 
elected county treasurer our subject oc- 
cupied the position of deputy treasurer and 
later he became deputy county clerk. He 
also assisted in organizing the Citizens' 
Bank of Watseka, and was one of the stock- 
holders, but disposing of his interests he 
came to Hoopeston on the ist of April, 
1889. Here he accepted the position of 
cashier in the banking house of Burwell, 
Hamilton & Morgan. Changes have since 
occurred in the ownership of the institution 
and the firm is now Hamilton & Cunning- 
ham. They conduct a private banking in- 



stitution of large proportions with Mr. Cun- 
ningham as the jiresident and Mr. Hamilton 
as cashier. This institution has a capital 
of fifty thousand dollars and its owners 
are men of well known business reliability. 
They receive a liberal patronage and do a 
general banking business, following a safe, 
conservative polity which has won uniform 
confidence. Mr. Hamilton is likewise vice- 
president of the Commercial Trust & Sav- 
mgs Bank, of Danville, and one of its stock- 
holders. He is to-day one of the most dis- 
tinguished members of the State Bankers' 
Association of Illinois, and of the Ameri- 
can Bankers' .\ssociation. He has been hon- 
ored by his fellow members of those or- 
ganizations with various important offices. 
Perhaps no better idea of his prominence 
among the representatives of his own line 
of business can be obtained than by quoting 
from one of tlie Vermilion county journals 
of 1901, which said : 

"At the annual meeting of the Ameri- 
can Bankers, Association held in Islilwau- 
kee, October 15, 16 and 17, Mr. Hamilton 
was elected one of the ten members of the 
executive council. He was also made chair- 
man of the fidelity bond committee, which 
is considered one of the leading if not the 
most important committee of the associa- 
tion. The conferring of these high honors 
upon I\Ir. Hamilton, without solicitation 
upon his part, comes as the strongest pos- 
sible official endorsement of the valuable 
work he has been doing for the association 
for many years. The honors in this in- 
stance have fallen iqwn shoulders well 
worthy of recei\ing them. No man in the 
association takes a deeper interest in look- 
ing after all that tends to improve the pres- 
ent system of banking than Mr. Hamilton. 
His careful and conscientious study of the 
financial problem with which all banking 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



627 



institutions must necessarily come in con- 
tact, has supplied a fund of information 
that has earned for him the well merited 
distinction of being one of the ablest and 
.most conspicuous authorities on financial 
questions in the association. In recogni- 
tion of his ability to pursue a thorough and 
■exhaustive study of all questions involving 
the interests of banks Mr. Hamilton was 
sent to England in June, 1901, by the Amer- 
ican Bankers' Association to study the 
financial conditions in that country. When 
it is taken into consideration that this asso- 
•ciation now has six thousand and three hun- 
dred members, and is the largest financial 
association in the world, the reader can form 
sone idea of the responsibility assumed by 
Mr. Hamilton in accepting this work. The 
task occupied about two months, and the 
able and exhaustive report he rendered the 
association on his return elicited from its 
members the most favoilible comments, 
and the Hoopeston banker was the recipient 
-of many congratulations for the successful 
manner in which he carried out the mis- 
sion assigned him. Mr. Hamilton has not 
■only held the highest positions within the 
gift of the State Bankers' Association, of 
which he was chosen president in 1898, but 
has served on some of the most important 
committees in the American Bankers' Asso- 
ciation." He likewise served as chairman 
of the executive council of the State Bank- 
ers' Association for four years, and is a 
life member of that committee. He also 
has served for the past ten years on the 
legislative committee. 

In addition to his other business inter- 
ests i\Ir. Hamilton owns considerable land, 
having about two hundred acres in Iroquois 
county, two thousand acres of prairie land 
in Texas and thirty thousand acres in Geor- 
gia, covered with yellow pine. He also has 



extensive interests in Echols, Worth and 
Irwin counties, of Georgia, and in Hoopes- 
ton he owns a pleasant home at the corner 
of Penn and Fifth streets. He is a director 
and the secretary and treasurer of the 
Hoopeston Horse Nail Company. 

On the 8th of February, 1892, in 
Homer, Illinois, Mr. Hamilton was united 
in marriage to Miss Mary A. Hall, a na- 
tive of Iroquois county, and they have three 
sons, John Lawrence, Donald H. and Rob- 
ert H. In his political views Mr. Hamilton 
is a stalwart Republican. He has been hon- 
ored with the highest office within the gift 
of his fellow townsmen, that of mayor. He 
has also been alderman of Hoopeston. 
While he was chief executive five miles of 
pavement were laid here, the city hall was 
built and he established and appointed the 
library board. His administration was very 
practical and business-like and he exercised 
his official prerogatives in support of prog- 
ress, reform and improvement. He has fre- 
quently been a delegate to state conventions 
and his influence in the councils of his party 
is of no restricted order. He is a member 
of the blue lodge, chapter, commandery 
and consistory and the Mystic Shrine, de- 
partments of Masonry, is also identified 
with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and 
has passed through all of its chairs. 



CHARLES FREMONT BUSBY. 

Charles Fremont Busby, an enterprising 
farmer living on section 32, Elwood town- 
ship, was born near Catlin, in this county, 
October 24, 1857. His paternal grand- 
parents were John and Phebe (Boggess) 
Busby, who in the year 1822 removed from 
West Virginia to Indiana, thence coming 



628 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



to Vermiliun counly, Illinois, in 1853. The 
grandfather of our subject was born in 
West \'irginia, in 1800, and died in Madi- 
son county, Iowa, in 1880. His wife, whose 
birth occurred in West Virginia, in 1800, 
also passed away in IMadison county, Iowa. 
The parents of our subject were, William 
H. and Virginia (Poyndexter) Busby, na- 
tives of Madison county, Indiana. The 
father was one of a family of six sons and 
six daughters. Those who lived to mature 
years were I. N., who is a retired farmer of 
Fairmount and is eighty years of age; 
Thomas K., now deceased; William H., the 
father of our subject; Dudley F., who is 
seventy-two years of age and is a retired 
farmer of Creston, Iowa; S. M., sixty-four 
years of age, an agriculturist of Ridge- 
farm; Mrs. Malinda Boggess, deceased: 
Mrs. Sarah A. McNeer, also deceased; and 
Mrs. Frances Morey, of Winterset, Iowa. 
After arriving at years of maturity William 
H. Busby, the father of our subject, was 
united in marriage to Virginia Poyndexter. 
She was horn in Madison county, Indiana, 
a daughter of Joseph and Sydney Poyn- 
dexter. of that count}', in whose family were 
twehc chililrcn. Mrs. Busliy died on the 
23d of January, 1857, at the early age of 
twenty-four years, five months and twenty- 
three days, our subject being then an infant 
only three months old. His only brother, 
Leonidas Poyndexter Bu.sby, is a farmer 
living near Catlin. He married Laura A. 
Church, a daughter of William .\. and Hes- 
ter Church, of Catlin township, and their 
family now numbers seven children, two 
sons and five daughters. When the country 
became involved in civil war the father of 
our subject responded to the country's call 
for aid, enlisting in 1861 as a member of 
Company K. Seventy-third Illinois Volun- 



teer Infantry. I*'or two years he fought for 
the preservation of the union and died in 
the service, passing away at Nashville, Ten- 
nessee, August 7, 1863, at the age of thirty- 
four years, two months and twenty-two 
days. 

Charles F. Busby of this review pursued 
his education in the common graded and 
normal schools and for two years prior to 
his marriage he was successfully engaged 
in teaching. He has always followed farm- 
ing and is to-day numbered among the 
progressive agriculturists of his community. 
On the 17th of September, 1890, he was 
joined in wedlock to Miss Rosa E. Gannon 
a daughter of James and Samantha Gannon. 
Her father was Ijorn in Kings county, Ire- 
land, and emigrating to the new world set- 
tled in Ohio, where he remained for a short 
time, after which he came to Georgetown,. 
Illinois. In this county he married Sa- 
mantha Wyre, a daughter of David and 
Sarah Wyre. of Georgetown township. Her 
brother, David Wyre, was a brave soldier 
of the Civil war, serving as a defender of 
the Union. Mr. Gannon, the father of 
Mrs. Busby, died in 1900, but her mother is 
still living, making her home on the old 
homestead farm in Georgetown township. 
In their family were seven brothers and two 
sisters, and with the exception of one broth- 
er, :dl are still living, while one sister and 
two brothers are yet at home with the 
mother. The home of Mr. and JNIrs. Busby 
has been blessed with four children: Earl, 
born December 3, 1893, is a bright boy, 
now in school. Garnet, born July 17, 1895. 
is also attending school. Roy. born Octo- 
ber 23. 1897, and Cdadys. born July 27, 
189Q. are the younger members of the 
family. 

Mr. Busbv resides on an excellent farna 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



629 



of eiglity acres one mile east of tlie town 
of Ridgefarm. His land is under a high 
state of cultivation and is well improved 
with modern improvements and fine build- 
ings. Everything about the place denotes 
the care and supervision of the owner, who 
is accounted one of the progressive agri- 
culturists of this portion of the state. His 
political support is given to the Republican 
party, and fraternally he is connected with 
the jN'Iodern Woodmen of America, while 
his religious faith is that of the Presbyter- 
ian church in which he holds membership. 
He is regarded as a good neighbor, a kind 
and considerate husband and father and a 
loval citizen. 



JAMES C. WOODBURY. 

Among the young men of business abil- 
ity whose skill and enterprise are rapidly 
winning for them a place in the front ranks 
among the representatives of commercial 
interests in Danville, is numbered James C. 
Woodbury. He was born in this city, Jan- 
uary 31, 1870, a son of James H. and Sarah 
Jane (Chandler) Woodbury. The father 
was born in Ripley county, Indiana, and 
they were married in Danville in 1855. 
He then followed his trade of wagon-mak- 
ing and some years later he engaged in the 
insurance business, which he carried on 
until 1876. He then retired and removed 
to his fruit and stock farm in Danville 
township, remaining there until his death, 
which occurred January 28, 1885. In poli- 
tics a Republican, he served as internal 
revenue collector for his district and also 
city treasurer of Danville. Pie belonged to 
the Indepaident Order of Odd Fellows, to 



the Kimber Methodist Episcopal church 
and was a man of marked probity of char- 
acter and genuine worth. His first wife 
passed away February 7, 1870, and on the 
15th of June, 1 87 1, he wedded Alwilda E. 
McClellan, who died in January, 1894. 
Our subject was one of five children born of 
the first marriage, of whom three are yet 
living: Jane, the wife of James S. Bick- 
nell, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal 
church residing in Champaign, Illinois ; and 
May, who resides with her brother James, 
the youngest member of the family. By 
the second marriage there were three chil- 
dren, of whom one is yet living, Fannie E., 
a resident of Danville. 

James C. Woodbury became a student 
of the public schools of Dan\ille at the 
usual age and was graduated in the high 
school with the class of 1887. He then spent 
two and one-half years as a student in the 
Polytechnic Institute at Terre Haute, In- 
diana, after which he returned to Danville. 
He was married on the i8th of March, 1891, 
in Lovington, Moultrie county, Illinois, to 
Mertie L. Foster, who was born in L(n-ing'- 
ton, August 2, 1871. Her parents, John, 
A. and Adelia (Bicknell) Foster, were both 
natives of Illinois and were married in 
Lovington, where the father engaged in 
general merchandising, while later he car- 
ried on farming. He was a member of the 
Masonic fraternit}- and died in 1874. while 
his wife passed away in 1877. Mrs. Wood- 
burj' was their only child and by her mar- 
riage she has become the mother of one son, 
Bicknell J., who was born May 10, 1896, 
in Danville, and is here attending school. 

After his marriage Mr. Woodbury be- 
gan reading law in the office of E. R. E. 
Kimbrough, who directed his study for 
three years and on the 12th of June, 1895, 



630 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



he was admitted to the bar and opened a 
law oflice, entering upon the practice of his 
profession wliich he continued until the ist 
of February, 1902, when he entered the em- 
ploy of the Emery Dry-Goods Company of 
Danville, in wliich he was a stockholder and 
officer as well, being the secretary of this 
company. He assisted in its organization 
and the business has grown until theirs is 
one of the best dry-goods houses of eastern 
Illinois. In January, 1903. ]\Ir. \\'oodbury 
disposed of his interest in the business and 
resumed the practice of law with his office 
at 517 Temple Building. He owns a resi- 
dence in Danville \alued at seven thousand 
dollars and his wife is the owner of a sec- 
tion of farm land in Moultrie county. 

-Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury hold member- 
ship in the First Presbyterian church and 
he belongs to the Knights of Pythias fra- 
ternity and to the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks. His right of franchise is 
exercised in support of the Republican 
party, but he has refused to enter political 
circles as an oftke seeker. He has, however, 
been acti\e in promoting everything in- 
tended for the general good, and is a rep- 
resentative of the best type of citizenship 
in Danville — trustworthy in business, faith- 
ful in friendship and loyal to the interests of 
the home and of the jniblic welfare. 



HERALD CATLETT. 

Through the long years of an active 
iness career Herald Catlett was extensively 
engaged in farming and stock-raising. He 
became widely known as a representative of 
this branch of business and was also a val- 
ued citizen, because of his loyalty to every 
measure tending to advance the general 



good. When he had reached an advanced 
age he was called to the home beyond, leav- 
ing, however, to his family a comfortable 
competence and the priceless heritage of 
an untarnished name. In early pioneer 
days he came to Vermilion county and from 
that time until his death was classed among 
the citizens of worth here. 

A native of Virginia, Mr. Catlett was 
bom in Charlottesville, June 5, 1826, a son 
of Lawrence Talaferro and Sally (Har- 
nian) Catlett. The father came from Eng- 
lish and Italian ancestr}^ The family, a 
wealthy one, was founded in Virginia at 
an early day and the grandfather of our 
subject at one time owned all of the land 
on which Thomas Jefferson established his 
home, calling the place Monticello. The 
maternal ancestry of our subject came from 
Germany and the grandfather was a sur- 
geon in the army under General Washing- 
ton in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Cat- 
lett was born in Stanton, Virginia, in which 
state she was reared and married and it 
was in that place that the parents of our 
subject began their domestic life, remain- 
ing there until 1828. The father was edu- 
cated for the legal ])rofession, but in going 
security for others necessity compelled the 
adoption of the saddlers trade. In 1S28 
he removed to Tuscumbia, Alabama, antl 
shortly afterward went to Winchester, Ten- 
nessee, but two years later returned to Char- 
lottesville, Virginia. There he remained 
until 1835, when he became a resident of 
Bloomingburg, Ohio, and on the ist of 
October, 1846, he started for Vermilion 
county, Illinois, arriving on the i8th of 
the same month. Here he was engaged in 
farming until his death, which occurred 
July 2, 1861. He belonged to the Masonic 
fraternity, was a Baptist in religious faith 
and a stanch Democrat in his political affil- 




HERALD -CAT! JTT 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



633 



iations. INIost charitable and benevolent, 
his generous gifts were many and the poor 
and needy never appealed to him in vain. 
In fact, much of his wealth was bestowed 
in charity upon his fellow men, yet he was 
still in comfortable circumstances at the 
time of his demise. His wife survived him 
ten years, passing away January lo, 1871. 
They were the parents of twelve children, 
six sons and six daughters, but only two are 
now living: Virginia, the wife of Dr. 
Charles Lamon, of Fairmount ; and Hiram 
H., who is represented elsewhere in this 
volume. 

Herald Catlett pursued his education in 
the schools of Charlottesville, Virginia, un- 
til nine years of age when he accompanied 
his parents to Bloomingburg, Ohio, where 
he remained until he attained his majority. 
At that time he became a resident of Ver- 
milion county, Illinois, and turned his at- 
tention to farming. On the 6th of Octo- 
ber, 1858, in Bethel, Ohio, he wedded Miss 
Elizabeth H. Boulware, who was born in 
Williamsburg, Clermont county, Ohio, 
April 17, 1840, a daughter of Hiram and 
Sarah (Shottwell) Boulware, both natives 
of Clermont county, where their marriage 
was celebrated. The Boulware family was 
founded in the Buckeye state at a very early 
day and was of French extraction. Some 
of the name lived at Pittsburg at the time 
when the old fort stood there and later rep- 
resentatives of the family became pioneers 
of Ohio and of Kaskaskia, Illinois, settling 
in this state when it was almost an unbro- 
ken prairie'. Mrs. Catlett's grandmother, 
Mary Shottwell, certainly deserved her 
name, because she was considered an expert 
with the rifle and in the early days of Ohio 
she killed over one hundred squirrels in 
a single day to protect their corn. She 
found no difficultv in bringing down a hawk 



on the wing, and Simon Kenton, the great 
jjioneer, trapper, hunter and explorer of 
Kentucky, when dining with her family, 
complimented her on her superior marks- 
manship. Mrs. IBoulware was born in Cler- 
mont county, Ohio, and is still living at the 
advanced age of eighty-three years. Her 
father lived to the age of eighty-four and 
her mother reached the age of ninety-four. 
Mr. Boulware gave his attention to farming 
and lived in Clermont county, Ohio, until 
his death, which occurred in 1845. He was 
a member of the Masonic fraternity, was a 
Whig in his political views and filled the 
ofiice of justice of the peace. In his family 
were three children, the eldest being Mrs. 
Catlett. Charlotte is the widow of Charles 
Triplette and resides in Unionville, Mis- 
souri. She has two sons and two daugh- 
ters. Hiram, the brother, entered the ser- 
vice of his country in the Ci\'il war at the 
age of sixteen years and two years later 
was killed in the battle of Shiloh. 

Throughout the period of his entire 
manhood Herald Catlett resided in Vermil- 
ion county, Illinois, and in his business 
affairs he prospered because his life was a 
very industrious and energetic one. He 
not only engaged in the tilling of the soil, 
but also bought and sold cattle on an ex- 
tensive scale in partnership with his broth- 
er, Hiram. They perhaps handled more 
cattle than any other man in the county. In 
later years he devoted his attention to both 
stock-raising and farming and he accumu- 
lated over five hundred acres of land in 
Vermilion county and also assisted his sons 
in becoming owners of farms. He possessed 
excellent executive- ability and keen business 
force and whatever he undertook he car- 
ried forward to a successful completion. He 
possessed strong resolution and unflagging 
diligence and thus he gained his place 



634 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



among the men of affluence in liis adopted 
county. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Catlett were born 
eight children. Orin resides with his motli- 
er and manages the home farm. H. Boul- 
ware married Nora Newlan and is the vice 
president of the First Uational Bank of 
Weleetka, in the Indian Territory. He also 
owns three hundred and forty acres of land 
near Jacksonville, Illinois. In politics he 
is a Democrat and he belongs to the Bap- 
tist church. In his family are four children : 
Roland, Elizabeth, Stanley and Eugene. 
Blanch, the third member of the family, 
died in infancy. Robert, who resides upon 
the farm of four hundred and twenty acres 
near Jacksonville, wedded Rose Nicholson 
and they have two children, Gilbert D. and 
Thelnia B. In politics he, too, is a Demo- 
crat, and also belongs to the Baptist church. 
John died at the age of five years. Portia 
L., Wilfred 11. and Plarman reside with 
their mother. 

Mr. Catlett strongly endorsed llic prin- 
ciples of the Democracy but would never 
consent to become a candidate for public 
office. He was an exemplary member of 
Fairmount Lodge, No. 590, F. & A. M., 
and from tlie age of fourteen years was a 
consistent and devoted member of the Bap- 
tist church, in which he long served as dea- 
con, lie died in that faitli May i, 1902, 
and was laid to rest in tlie Davis cemetery 
in Vance township. Through an acti\-e 
career he accomplished nuich both in the 
acquirement of a fortune and the develop- 
ment of an upright character and while he 
left his family in comfortable circumstances 
lie also gave to them a legacy which is far 
better than gold — an untarnished name. In 
the pioneer development of tlie county he 
took an active and interested part and his 



labors contributed in no small degree to the 
s])lendid result accom])lished by the early 
settlers. 



LEONARD J. IIAII.V. 

Leonard J. Hahn, who since 1876 has 
made his home in Danville and is engaged 
in the grocery business at No. 412 Green 
street, was born in Germany, Sqjtember 3, 
1 84 1. His father was manager of a factory 
there, and both he and his wife spent their 
entire lives in that country. Our subject 
and a brother who is now living in Wiscon- 
sin came to America in 1871, settling first 
in Iloboken, New Jersey, where Mr. Hahn 
of this review remained for a short time. 
He afterward visited many of the leading 
cities of the United States in search of a 
location and finally took up his abode in 
Wisconsin, where he attended school for 
four years in order to learn the English 
language. He next went to Green Bay, 
Wisconsin, where he remained for a short 
time and on the expiration of that period he 
removed to Pilot, Illinois, where he was en- 
gaged in teaching school for three years. 
In 1876 he came to Danville, where he con- 
tinued educational work for four years and 
then accepted a clerkship in a grocery store 
where he was employed for a similar period. 
When that time harl elapsed he embarked 
in the grocery business on his own account 
at 412 Green street and here he carries a 
fine line of staple and fancy groceries, 
country produce, cigars, tobacco, and in 
fact everything found in a first class estab- 
lishment. In his l)usiness career he has 
been very successful and now has a large 
trade bringing to him a gratifying income. 

Mr. Hahn was united in marriage to 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



635 



Miss Albertina Snyder, of Champaign 
county, Illinois, but in February, 1890, was 
called upon to mourn the loss of his wife 
who passed away leaving two children, 
Henry, who is now attending school in 
Peru, Illinois, and Constance, who resides 
with her grandfather. Another daughter, 
Shebella, is now deceased. 

In his political views Mr. Hahn is inde- 
pendent, supporting men and measures 
rather than party, and never, seeking office. 
He belongs to the German Catholic church 
of Danville and is regarded as a prominent 
merchant here, a splendid representative of 
our German-American citizenship, loyal to 
the best interests of his adopted land and 
with a strong love for the countrv. 



MILTON ELLIOTT. 

Milton Elliott, now deceased, was at one 
time a very prominent and iniluential farmer 
of Vermilion county. He was born in 
Clinton county, Ohio, Feliruary 24, 1827, 
and was a son of James and Elizabeth 
(Smith) Elliott. They lived on a farm in 
Ohio until 1829. when they came to Ver- 
milion county. Illinois, where the father 
purchased land. He was a member of the 
Baptist church and in politics was a Repub- 
lican. He was three times married, his 
second union being with Elizabeth Smith, 
and his third wife being Mrs. (Sewell) 
Dalby. By the first marriage there was one 
child, now deceased. By the second mar- 
riage, two children are still living out of a 
family of six. Francis, who resides in 
Potomac, Illinois, married Jane Doney, and 
after her death was married to Elizabeth 
McFarland, now also deceased. ^larv, the 



second child of the second union, is the 
widow of Elland Speary and is also a resi- 
dent of Potomac, Illinois. There were no 
children by the third marriage. 

Milton Elliott of this review attended 
the district schools of Vance township until 
he was able to work on the farm, when he 
put aside his text books and assisted in the 
work of plowing the fields and reaping the 
harvests. Later he purchased the farm 
which is now the home of his widow. On 
the loth of March, 1853, near Fairmount, 
Illinois, he was married to Miss Elizabeth 
Smoot, who was born in Coshocton, Ohio, 
January 22, 1831. She is a daughter of 
Barton and Hannah (Doney) Smoot, both 
of whom were natives of Ohio, where they 
were marrietl and resided until 1841, when 
they removed to Indiana, settling near 
Logansport. They remained in the latter 
place for four years, when they removed to 
Vance township. The mother died April 
30, 1895, and the father passed away in 
1884. He was a member of the Baptist 
church and was an advocate of the Demo- 
cratic party. Mrs. Elliott is a member ff 
a family of thirteen children, of whom four 
brothers and two sisters are yet living : 
Elizabeth, the wife of our subject; James, 
who married Mary Davis and resides in 
Greenville, Missouri ; John, who married 
Sarah Lewis and resides in Homer, Illinois ; 
Lysander, a farmer of Fithian, Illinois, who 
married Lydia Randall; Daniel, a resident 
of Fairmount, who married Nettie Doren : 
Phoebe, the wife of Robison Cook, a resi- 
dent of Tallula, Illinois; and Molly, the 
wife of Garry Temple, of Fairmount, Illi- 
nois. 

The marriage of Mr. Elliott and his wife 
was blessed with six children. Bart mar- 
ried ^larv Baldwin and lives in Fairmount, 



636 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Illinois. They have three chiklren. Everett, 
Oscar and Goldie. James married Lizzie 
Egy. They reside in Danville, Illinois, and 
have five children, Grace, Burleigh, George, 
Holmes and Ferrol. Ellis marrietl Fanny 
Lowell and they reside in Fairmount. Mil- 
ton married Ulta Bale. They reside in 
Vance township and have two children. 
Earl and Myrtle. John is at home with his 
mother and manages the farm for her. 
Rosa is also at home with her mother. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. 
Elliott located upon the farm which she now 
occupies. Mr. Elliott was very industrious 
and energetic and through his capahle man- 
agement became the owner of four hundred 
and ninety-six acres. This has now been 
partly divided among the children and the 
remainder is controlled by his widow. He 
was a member of the Baptist church and 
in politics was a Republican. In his life he 
exemplified the principles of truth and right 
and he was a man highly respected in his 
community. He left many friends besides 
his family to mourn his loss. His death oc- 
curred on the 2ist of November, 1878, and 
he was laid to rest in Davis cemetery. Mrs. 
Elliott is a lady of estimable character who 
is now successfully managing her landed 
interests and she is a valued resident of 
Vance township. 



JOHX \\'. GOODWTXE. Sr. 

John W. Goodwine, Sr., is an octogenar- 
ian of Vermilion county, living in Potomac. 
He is now enjoying a well-earned rest which 
has crowned a life of labor and industry. 
For over fiftv vears he was connected with 



the farming interests of the county and the 
prosperity which attended his efforts has 
supplied him with the means of living in 
retirement from further labor,, his com- 
petencj' being sufticient to supply him with 
all the necessaries and comforts of life. 
Mr. Goodwine is a native of Vermilion coun- 
ty, Indiana, born December 9, 1822. His 
father, James Goodwine, was born in Penn- 
sylvania and was a son of John Goodwine. 
The family is of English lineage and was 
established in the Keystone state at an early 
epoch in its development. It was in that 
state that James Goodwine was reared to 
manhood and subsequently he removed to 
Buft'alo, where he was married to Elizabeth 
Snyder, of German lineage. For some 
years thereafter they resided in Kentucky 
and then removed to Indiana, settling in 
Bartholomew county. There in the midst 
of the green forest the father of our subject 
developed a farm. The sound of the wood- 
man's ax was soon heard as he chopped 
away the trees in order to transform his 
farm into productive fields for the raising 
of crops best adapted to soil and climate. 
Subsequentlx- he remo\ed to Warren county 
where he again opened up a farm upon 
which he reared his family and spent his 
remaining days, passing away there about 
1848, when seventy years of age. His wife 
had died in 1824, when John W. was a lit- 
tle child of two years. The father after- 
ward married again. 

L'pon the old homestead in Warren 
county, Indiana, John W. Goodwine was 
reared and early in life he became familiar 
with the arduous task of clearing and de- 
veloping a new farm. He took his place 
in the forest where he assisted in cutting 
down the trees, clearing away the brush and 
preparing the fields for cultivation. When 




MRS JOHN W GOODWINE 




JOHN W.GOODWINE . SR 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



641, 



this was done he bore his part in the work 
of plowing and planting and later in har- 
vesting the rich grain. His school privi- 
leges were limited and he is almost entirely 
a self-educated as well as a self-made man 
who deserves great credit for what he has 
accomplished. As a companion and help- 
meet for life's journey he chose Miss Jane 
Charlton, who was born and reared in In- 
diana, their wedding being celebrated in 
Warren county, that state in 1845. They 
became the parents of five children and the 
mother died in Vermilion county, Illinois, 
about 1867. Of her four sons Marion, 
John and James are yet living, while Fre- 
mont died at the age of four years. The 
daughter, Mary Jane, is also deceased. Mr. 
Goodwine was again married in this coun- 
ty, his second union being with Mrs. Ar- 
minda Dare, a widow, who was born in this 
county. They, too, have four children : 
Martha, the wife of D. E. Juvinall, of Cali- 
fornia; Helen, the wife of De Marcus Juvi- 
nall, of Vermilion county; Dora, who was 
married but is now deceased ; and Grant W. 
The year 1848 witnessed the arrival of 
John W. Goodwine in Vermilion county. 
He settled in Blount township, where he 
purchased six hundred acres of good farm 
land, which he began to improve and in ad- 
dition to the cultivation of the fields he 
engaged in stock-raising and feeding. He 
soon became recognized as one of the most 
progressive and extensive farmers of tliis 
section of the state. From time to time 
he added to his landed possessions until he 
owned six thousand acres comprised in dif- 
ferent farms. From his youth he made a 
specialty of feeding cattle for the market, 
and his extensive corn products were thus 
utilized. Each year he would sell from 
three to five hundred head of cattle and a 



large number of hogs were also raised upon 
his farm and sent to the city markets. He 
became one of the most extensive, stock 
dealers in the county, and his well directed 
efforts l^rought to him splendid success. In 
1898, however, he put aside the more ardu- 
ous cares of business life and removed to 
Potomac where he is now living retired save 
that he gives his attention to th.e supervis- 
ion of his farms and invested interests. He 
still owns three thousand acres of the rich 
and valuable land of this section of the 
state. All has been deeded to his children 
and will pass into their possession at his 
death. 

Politically Mr. Goodwine was an old line 
Whig and he probably cast his first presi- 
dential vote for Zachary Taylor. He con- 
tinued to affiliate with the party until 1856 
when he joined the ranks of the new Re- 
publican party and has never failed to vote 
for each of its presidential candidates since 
that time. The honors of public office have 
never been sought by him for his time has 
been fully occupied by his large business in- 
terests. During fifty-four years he has re- 
sided in the county and is to-day one of its 
most respected and honored agriculturists. 
He has seen Danville grow up from a small 
village and has watched the onward march 
of progress in the state. All that has tend- 
ed to improve the county and promote its 
welfare has received his endorsement. He 
is well-known in Danville and throughout 
the community as a man of tried integrity 
and worth and his life history should serve 
to encourage young men who have to begin 
in business as he did, without capital or 
the aid of financial friends. His own career 
proves conclusively that strong determina- 
tion and unremitting diligence can secure 
splendid success. 



6'2 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ROBERT CRAWl-ORU SAIALLEY. 

The life record of such a man as Robert 
Crawford Smalley sliould serve as a source 
of inspiration and encouragement to his fel- 
low men because it proves that success may 
be won through earnest and persistent effort 
and without the aid of wealthy or influential 
friends at the outset of one's career. Air. 
Smalley is now li\ing retired, having dur- 
ing the. years of his business activity won 
a handsome competence which classes him 
among the sul)stantial citizens of Hoopes- 
ton. A native of Benton county, Indiana. 
he was born on the 31st of August, 1847, 
and when only about eighteen months old 
removed to Warren county, Indiana, with 
his parents. His father, William Smalley, 
a native of Kentucky, born January 11, 
1813, of German lineage, was engaged in 
cabinet work in his younger days and after- 
ward turned his attention to farming. He 
married Sarah Sargeant, who was born in 
Warren county, Indiana, June 20, 181 7, the 
wedding being celebrated on the 29th of Au- 
gust, 1833. The lady was born, reared and 
educated in Warren county, obtaining a 
common-school education. She died April 
26, 1 85 1, at the age of thirty-four years, 
when our subject was but three years of age. 
The father afterward married Eliza Stew- 
art, this wedding being celebrated on the 
20th of November, 1851. She, too, is now 
deceased and Air. Smalley passed away on 
the 3d of February, 1868, at the age of 
fifty-five years. By his first marriage he had 
nine children, but only three are now liv- 
ing: David, who was born June 13, 1839, 
and is living in Sheldon, Illinois ; Robert 
C. ; and Anna E., the wife of Charles Hick- 
man. She was born August 29, 1850, and 
is living in Hoopeston. By the father's 



second marriage the children were : Alary 
A., now the wife of Robert Alillikin, a resi- 
dent farmer of Warren tnwnship, Warren 
county. Indiana; Charlotte AI. the wife of 
Alfred Alillikin, of the same county; Eliza 
J., the wife of Newton Atkinson, of Mount 
Gilboa, Indiana; Martha E., the wife of 
Peter Ault, of Warren county; and Edwin 
G., who is living in the same county. 

Reared and educated in Warren county, 
Indiana, Robert C Smalley afterward en- 
gaged in farming there and for two years 
operated the old home place near Attica, 
Indiana, after his father's death, lie then 
rented a farm belonging to his father-in-law, 
P. J. Hickman, Sr., and in 1872 he took 
up his abode in Vermilion county, Illinois, 
upon a farm northeast of Hoopeston, hav- 
ing inherited forty-two acres at that place. 
This he at once improved and cultivated, 
making it his home for a year. In August, 
1872, however, he removed to Ashgrove 
township, Iroquois county, Illinois, where 
he lived for fourteen years, lacking two 
days. At that time he came to Hoopeston 
and has since been a valued resident of this 
place. He now owns four hundred and five 
acres of valuable land all in one body, the 
place being known as the James Coleman 
farm. It is now rented and returns to Mr. 
Smalley a very good income. In August, 
1886. he took up his abode in Hoopeston. 
In March of the following year he embarked 
in the hardware business which he carried 
on for five years, being for two years asso- 
ciated with Albert Daggett, while for three 
years he was connected with his son Wesley. 
At the end of that time Air. Smalley pur- 
chased a stock of drugs in Alilford. placing 
the business under the care of his son. Per- 
sonally he has given the most of his atten- 
tion to his farming interests. In 1890 he 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



643 



built a brick storeroom now occupied by 
Elliott Brothers. Mr. Smalley traded his 
stock of drugs in jMilford for a farm in 
Crescent township, Iroquois county, com- 
prising one hundred and sixty acres, and re- 
tained the ownership of this until June, 
1901, when he sold it. In the fall of the 
same year he purchased one hundred and 
twenty acres of land in Ross township, Ver- 
milion county, and the same year became the 
owner of fifty-two acres of land near Cicero, 
Indiana. He has in Hoopeston a pleasant 
home on Honeywell avenue which he 
erected in 1892. 

Mr. Smalley was married in \Varren 
county, Indiana, on the nth of January, 
1871, to Miss Sarah Hickman, whose birth 
occurred March 4, 185 1, a daughter of 
Peter and Mary (Gullett) Hickman, both 
natives of Delaware, the former born in 
Kent and the latter in Sussex county. Her 
father was a farmer and stockman and died 
in Indiana, November 12, 1892, while his 
wife passed away on the 13th of February. 
1897. Mr. and Mrs. Smalley now have four 
children. Mary Edith, born February 5, 
1873. ■^'^■^s married in 1893 to Dr. J. O. 
Miessen, of Cicero, Indiana, and they have 
two children. Dale and Robert. Wesley, 
born September 8, 1874, married Laura 
Forrester, by whom he has one child, Helen, 
and they live in Little Rock, Arkansas. 
Annice, born December 4, 1876, is the wife 
of John Bennes, an architect of Baker Citv, 
Oregon. They have one son, John V. 
Robert, born April 29, 1896, is the youngest 
member of the Smalley family and is with 
his parents. Edward, the first born, whose 
birth occurred November 13, 1871, died at 
the age of ten months and a half. 

Mr. Smalley is a member of Star Lodge, 
No. 709, F. & A. I\I., and Hoopeston Chap- 



ter, No. 181, R. A. M. He and his wife 
are members of the Order of the Eastern 
Star. He is a past master and at the pres- 
ent time is serving as senior warden of his 
lodge, and has been a delegate to the grand 
lodge whicii met in McVicker's theater, of 
Chicago, in 1897. In politics he has been 
an earnest Republican since lie cast his first 
presidential \-ote for General Grant in t868, 
at Independence, Indiana. While living, 
upon his farm he served for several years 
as school trustee and after coming to 
Hoopeston he was elected a member of the 
school board on which he serx-ed for about 
eleven years, the cause of education finding 
in him a warm friend. For two years he 
represented the third ward on the board of 
city aldermen. Mr. Smalley is to-day num- 
bered among the men of affluence of his 
county. Starting out in life for himself 
at an early age, he realized that energy, 
determination and ambition are important 
elements in success and upon these as a 
foundation he has reared the superstructure 
of his prosperity. Such a character is well 
worthy of emulation and respect, and Mr.* 
Smalley is justly numbered among the lead- 
ing and representative men of his adopted 
countv. 



GEORGE R. TILTON. 

George R. Tilton is one of the leading 
member of the Democratic party in Ver- 
milion county and since the ist of Januan,% 
1898, has been the editor and manager of the 
Danville Daily Democrat, which is published 
in the interest of the national organization. 
He was born October 8, i860, in Ripley 
county, Indiana, the only child of William 
W. and Martha J. Tilton. He pursued his 



644 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



literary education in the public schools and 
lived upon the liome farm at Elrod, Indiana, 
until twenty-two years of age. Determining 
to. engage in the practice of law he then en- 
tered the law department of the Wesleyan 
University at Bloomington, Illinois, in 
1883. In June, 1884, he located in Dan- 
ville, where he engaged in the practice of 
his chosen profession until the ist of Jan- 
uary, 1897, when he turned his attention to 
journalism and has since been the editor and 
manager of the Danville Daily Democrat. 
In 1884 he was nominated for the position 
of states attorney on the Democratic ticket 
and in 1888 he was elected to represent his 
district in the Illinois house of representa- 
tives, where he served for one term, proving 
an active working member of that body. 
From 1892 until 1902 he was chairman of 
the Democratic county central committee 
and is a most active and efficient political 
worker. He recognizes possibilities and 
opportunities readily and by securing con- 
certed action has contributed in no small de- 
gree to the growth and success of his party 
in this portion of the state. On the 6th of 
June, 1894, j\Ir. Tilton was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Catherine M. Thompson, of 
Urbana, Illinois. They are well known in 
Danville, and with matters of public concern 
Mr. Tilton has been actively connected, aid- 
ing not a little to form public opinion 
through the columns of his paper. 



STEPHEN A. D. HARRY. 

To an early epoch in the history of 
America may the ancestry of the Harry 
family be traced, representatives of the 
name having established a home in the new 
world during its pioneer development. Ja- 



cob Harry, the father of our subject, was 
a native of Preble county, Ohio, and after 
arriving at years of maturity he wedded 
Susanna Tobey, who was born near Hag- 
erstown, Maryland. Her grandfather in the 
paternal line came from Germany, crossing 
the Atlantic to America at a very early day. 
One of the great-grandfathers of our sub- 
ject was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, 
and was killed at the battle of King's Moun- 
tain. Jacob Harry was a brick mason by 
trade, following that pursuit in early life. 
He subsequently carried on farming, be- 
came moderately well-to-do, and at the time 
of his death owned two hundred and forty 
acres of valuable land. He also reared a 
large family, to whom he gave educational 
advantages of a high order, most of .his 
children attending college. Taking up his 
abode in Illinois at a primitive period in its 
development, he resided in Coles county 
when the prairie was unreclaimed and un- 
improved and ^vhen there were many 
wohes, and when the deer were also quite 
numerous, while the smaller game was to 
be had in abundance. His life was one of 
industry and earnest toil and his sterling 
worth commended him to the confidence 
and respect of all who knew him. His 
death occurred in March, 1899, and his 
wife, surviving him for a few years, passed 
away in April, 1902, in Coles county. In 
the family of this worthy couple were 
eleven children : Francis, who died in in- 
fancy; Jefferson, a resident of Coles coun- 
ty; Madison, who is a twin brother of Jef- 
ferson and is a Baptist preacher of the state 
of New York; Mrs. Amanda Hedges, who 
is living in Coles county; Hiram, a resi- 
dent farmer of Lamar, Missouri; Nathan- 
iel, who was engaged in merchandising in 
Springfield, Missouri, . where he died in 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



647 



1894; Frank, a distinguished lawyer of 
Watseka, Illinois, who is now servmg as 
a judge of Iroquois county; Ellen, who 
died iia infancy; Clinton, a resident farmer 
of Coles county ; Stephen A. D. ; and Nel- 
son, a farmer of Coles county, who died 
in 1896. 

Prof. Stephen A. D. Harry has attained 
to a distinguished position in educational 
circles, being recognized as one of the fore- 
most members of the profession in eastern 
Illinois. He was bom near Mattoon, in 
Coles county, on the 24tli of May, i860, 
and his early lite was spent upon his fath- 
er's farm, during which time he 'acquired 
his preliminary education in the common 
schools. He then began teaching and thus 
acquired the funds necessary to enable him 
to continue his own education. He became 
a student in the Central Indiana Normal 
School, in which he was graduated, com- 
pleting the teacher's course. He afterward 
taught again near Areola and then for a 
time was a student in the Eastern Illinois 
College of Danville, in which he was grad- 
uated with the class of 1884. 

Entering the profession of teaching as 
a life work, Mr. Harry was employed in the 
Indiana Normal School at Covington, In- 
diana, for a year, after which he was offered 
and accepted the position of superintendent 
of the public schools of Covington, filling 
that position in a most acceptable manner 
for four years. In 1891 he came to Dan- 
ville and for a short period was assistant 
principal in the high school, while from 
1892 until 1897 he was principal of the high 
school. In the latter year he came to 
Hoopeston and has since been superinten- 
dent of the schools of this city. He holds 
a state certificate from Indiana, having in 
1890 successfully passed an examination 
there upon twenty-two subjects, the exam- 

26 



ination covering three days. While resid- 
ing in Indiana he served for two years as 
president of the County Teachers' Asso- 
ciation and for one year during his resi- 
dence in Danville was president of the Ver- 
milion County Association. He has done 
considerable institute work during the sum- 
mer months and his entire attention is de- 
voted to school work, in which he has 
steadily progressed, and his own zeal and 
earnestness have been potent factors in se- 
curing advancement in the different insti- 
tutions of learning with which he has been 
connected. 

On the 5th of August, 1884, in Coles 
county, Illinois, Professor Harry was unit- 
ed in marriage to Miss Madge Wyeth, a 
native of that county, born December 9, 
i860. Her father, Thomas E. Wyeth, is 
still living in Coles county, and is num- 
bered among the wealthy farmers there. 
His wife died in 1874 when Mrs. Harry 
was but thirteen years of age, and he after- 
ward wedded Julia Price, with whom he 
is now living. The home of Professor 
Harry and his wife was blessed with one 
daughter, Zola Bernice, who was born Jan- 
uary 30, 1886. On the loth of July, 1901, 
the family were in a wreck on the Chicago 
& Alton Railroad near Marshall, Missouri, 
and Mrs. Plarry was so severely injured 
that she died the following day in Kansas 
City. The Professor and his daughter also 
sustained injuries of a permanent nature. 
The wife and mother was brought back to 
Illinois and tenderly laid to rest in the cem- 
etery at Areola. She was a most estimable 
lady and enjoyed the high regard of many 
warm friends. The family received a total 
of twenty-nine thousand dollars from the 
railroad company because of their injuries, 
the daughter being awarded fourteen thou- 
sand, four hundred dollars of the amount. 



648 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



From his bo}liood days Professor Har- 
ry has been identified with the Methodist 
Episcopal churcli and is now superinten- 
dent of the Sunday-school. He was also 
superintendent of the First Methodist Epis- 
copal Sunday-school in Danville for four 
years, and has been actively and earnestly 
identified with religious work through a 
long period, his inHuence being of marked 
benefit in that direction. He has been a 
prominent factor in musical circles in every 
city where he has resided, being leader of 
the church choirs at Covington. Indiana; 
Danville and Hoopeston in addition to his 
duties as sui)erintendent of the Sunday- 
schools. He is also instructor in vocal nui- 
sic in the schools of Hoopeston. For four 
years while living in r3an\ille, he was first 
tenor in the Arion Male Quartet, being as- 
sociated with Charles P. Nelson, second 
tenor: L. H. (Jriffith. first bass; and Will 
Pundt, second bass. This (piartet sang in 
various places throughout Indiana and 
Illinois. 

Socially Professor Harry is identified 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows and he belongs to the blue lodge, chap- 
ter and commandery of Masonry, serving 
at the present time as chaplain in the l)lue 
lodge. In his political afiiliations he was 
long a Democrat, but for the past eight 
years he has given his support to the Pro- 
hibition party. As the years have passed 
he has made judicious investments in real 
estate and to-day owns a good farm in 
Coles county, one in Iroquois county and 
two in Fulton county, Indiana, his posses- 
sions thus aggregating six hundred and 
forty acres. He also has stock in the Cen- 
tral Trust Company, of Chicago, and has 
joined a syndicate owning twenty-seven 
thousand acres of land in Cuba, the com- 



pany having been incoroprated under the 
laws of the land and comprising about fif- 
teen members. At this point it would be 
almost tautological to enter into any series 
of statements as showing the Professor to 
be a man of broad intelligence and genuine 
public spirit, for these have been shadowed 
forth between the lines of this review. 
Strong in his individuality, he never lacks 
the courage of his convictions, but there 
are dominating elements in his individual- 
ity, a lively human sympathy and an abid- 
ing charity, which, taken in connection with 
the sterling integrity and honor of his char- 
acter, have naturally gained for him the re- 
spect and confidence of men. 



J. L. SMITH. 

Prominent among the old settlers oi 
Vermilion county is J. L. Smith, who was 
born in Georgetown July 2^, 1837, and has 
therefore witnessed and taken part in much 
of the development and improvement of the 
community whicli is the outward indication 
of its prosperity. His parents were Joseph 
and Sarah (Brown) Smith, both natives of 
A\'ashington county, Tennessee, their mar- 
riage taking place in Jonesboro, that state. 
The father followed teaming and farming 
in that locality, and throughout his active 
business career was an agriculturist of prom- 
inence and influence. Later the family set- 
tled in Georgetown township, where the sub- 
ject of this review was born. In the family 
were thirteen children, nine of whom were 
born in Tennessee. Those deceased are Mar- 
tha Jane, who died at the age of twenty; 
George \\'., who died at the age of forty- 
five; Jessie, who died at the age of forty- 
three; Enoch, who was killed in the battle of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



649 



Lookout ^Mountain, at the age of thirty ; 
William D., who died at the age of seventy- 
eight; and John, who died at the age of 
seventy-six years. The two latter were hur- 
ied on the same day. The living members 
of the family are : Abram, a resident of 
Dan\-ille, now living retired at the age of 
€ight}'-six ; Eliza, wdio is eighty-eight years 
of age and is the widow of William Gaiitz, 
residing in Georgetown township; Amanda, 
the widow of Andy Reynolds, also of 
Georgetown township, who is eighty- 
two years of age; Katherine, the wife 
of Adam Kyger, a resident farmer 
of Douglas county, Missouri ; Eliza- 
beth, the widow of a Mr. Haines, who 
was a farmer living near Paris, Edgar cotm- 
ty, where the widow now resides; M. C, a 
farmer of Brocton, Edgar county, now aged 
seventy-eight years ; and J. L. All the chil- 
dren received common-sciiool educations. 
Mr. Smith, Sr., was in politics first a Whig 
and afterward a Democrat, and died believ- 
ing in the principles of that party. He and 
his wife were earnest and consistent mem- 
bers of the Baptist church. 

The subject of this review pursued his 
education in the common schools near the 
home farm. Here he grew to manhood, as- 
sisting his father in the work of field and 
meadow until he was twenty-one years of 
age, when his father allowed him for his 
time and he began saving money on his own 
account. He continued to operate his fath- 
er's farm and for twenty years also ran a 
thresher in connection with his farm work. 
At the age of twenty-two, in August, 1861. 
he was married to Mary Ann Cook, a daugh- 
ter of James and Sarah (Myers) Cook, 
both of whom were natives of Ohio. There 
were seven children born of this union : ^Vl- 
bert, who died at the age of one and one- 



half years; Jessie, who passed away at the 
age of sixteen years ; Melvin, who lives in 
Elwood township and follows farming 
there, his wife being Annie Carrigan, a 
daughter of Henry Carrigan, of "V^ermilion 
county ; Dora, who married Thomas 
Hughes, the latter now renting and operat- 
ing the farm of J. L. Smith; O. T., who 
married Cora, daughter of Andy Tipton, 
and who lives in Georgetown township, fol- 
lowing farming there; W. C, who married 
Grace Alderson, and follows farming in 
northern Indiana ; Bertie E., who married 
John Bennett and lives two miles west of 
Georgetown. These children all received a 
good common-school education and were 
thus well fitted to enter upon life's practical 
duties. 

About the time of his marriage Mr. 
Smith began working in the winter for a 
pork packing establishment. In this place 
he had the distinction of doing the lai'gest 
day's work on record. He cut up one thou- 
sand five hundred and fifty hogs and threw 
one-half that number on the block. This 
of itself beat all former records, but in addi- 
tion, after 11 P. M. of that day he cut up 
five hundred frozen one-half hogs. This is 
a slight indication of the energy and activity 
of Mr. Smith, and it is owing to such ef- 
forts that he is to-day the possessor of his 
valuable farm, comprising two hundred and 
fifty-eight acres on section iS, in George- 
town township. Upon the farm he has made 
all improvements and is now renting the 
land and living retired, enjoying a well- 
merited rest from business cares. 

Mr. Smith was called upon to mourn 
the loss of his first wife February 10, 1877, 
and was again married, his second union be-> 
ing with Lucy Ann (Ogden) Lewis, the 
widow of Jacob Lewis. She too passed 



650 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



away on the 20th of June, 1899. Mr. Smith 
has had a great deal of sickness in his fam- 
ily, but by careful management and by rea- 
son of his beautiful character which enables 
him to patiently bear affliction, he has out- 
ridden the storms of adversity and has come 
ofif victor in the struggle. He has been a 
faitliful and devoted member of the Church 
of Christ for forty-two years, has been its 
elder for two years and also one of its trus- 
tees. Fraternally he is a member of the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and also 
of the Daughters of Rebekah, of George- 
town. In his political views he is a Demo- 
crat, practically, but always votes for the 
men and measures that he thinks are right. 
He has filled the office of school director, 
and though he does not care for office, yet 
he ever takes a deep interest in the political 
issues and questions of the day. A man of 
sterling qualities and upright life, Mr. 
Smith is an honored pioneer son of Vermil- 
ion county. 



\\'ATTS FINLEY. 



Watts Finley, of Hoopeston, was born 
near Lawrenceljurg, in Ripley county, Indi- 
ana, on the 4th of November, 1833. His 
father, David Finley, was a native of Ken- 
tucky and wedded Nancy Miller, who was 
born in Pennsylvania. They lived for some 
years along the bottoms of the Miami ri\er, 
and in 1834 came to Vermilion county, lo- 
cating near the present site of Catlin. They 
were among the pioneer settlers and bore 
all of the hardships and trials incident to 
pioneer life and assisted in laying the foun- 
dation for the present prosperity and up- 
building of this section of the state. The 
fatlipr died in 1853 at the age of seventy- 



three years, and his wife passed away when 
sixty-six years of age. They died within 
three days of each other, departing this life 
in the month of August. In their family 
were seventeen children, including two 
pairs of twins. Our subject is the youngest 
of the family and is the only one now living. 
Mr. Finley of this review was only 
about six months old when brought by his 
parents to Vermilion county, Illinois. The 
family home was on a tract of land south 
of Danville and he remained with his father 
and mother until their death. His educa- 
tion was ac(|uired in a log schoolhouse and 
in a frame building which was used both 
for church and school purposes. For about 
eight or ten years he continued his studies 
thTough the three ^\'inter months and 
witli returning spring he again took up 
his work in the fields to assist in the 
cultivation and development of the home 
farm. In the spring of 1855, in com- 
pany with his brother, Miller T. Finley, 
and his sister Nancy, afterward the wife of 
Captain Eraser, he removed to a farm upon 
which he lived with his brother for four 
years. He was then married to Miss Mar- 
garet P. Davis, the wedding taking place 
on the 17th of April, 1859. She was born 
April 16, 1834, in Ohio, a daughter of 
Amaziah Davis, who came to Vermilion 
county during the period of its early devel- 
opment. His wife is still living in Ross- 
\\]\c at the advanced age of ninety-one 
years. At the time of their marriage Mr. 
and iilrs. Finley took up their abode upon 
a farm in Grant township, which he had 
purchased in 1855, comprising two hun- 
dred and forty acres of wild land. Not a 
furrow had been turned or an improvement 
made, but with characteristic energy Mr. 
Finley began the improvement of his prop- 



//^// X;.,.^^ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



653 



•€rty -which he soon transformed into a fine 
farm. His wife proved a capable and faith- 
ful assistant and helpmate to him and they 
traveled life's journey happily together for 
a number of years, but at length the wife 
suffered from mental disease and during the 
last five years of her existence she was in a 
hospital at Kankakee, where she died in 
1895. Three children were born unto 
them, of whom two are yet living, Mary 
and Charles. The former is the wife of A. 
M. Honeywell, a resident of Hoopeston, 
and their children are Gilbert, Helen, Mar- 
garet, and ilarie. Charles R., the son of 
our subject, married Addie Reece and is 
engaged in the operation of his father's old 
homestead. His children are, Marion, Mar- 
garet and Watts. 

In 1896 Mr. Finley was again married, 
in Danville, the lady of his choice being- 
Leah Hamilton, who for a number of years 
prior to his first wife's death had acted as 
his housekeeper. She is a native of Ver- 
milion county and her mother now resides 
in Livingston county, although she spends 
part of the time with Mr. and Mrs. Finle}'. 
Throughout the greater part of his bus- 
iness career the subject of this review has 
•carried on agricultural pursuits and in con- 
nection with general farming has engaged 
in stock-raising Avith excellent success. He 
is to-day the owner of seven hundred and 
forty acres of valuable land on sections 24 
and 25,_ Grant township, the farm being 
occupied by his son at this writing. In 
1892 he left the farm and removed to Fair- 
Tjury, Livingston county, where he remained 
for four years. In his business affairs he 
has been very successful and all that he 
.possesses is the reward of his own enter- 
prise and labor. He certainly deserves 
great credit for what he has accomplished 
-and his life should serve as a source of in- 



spiration and encouragement to others. In 
politics he has always been a Republican, 
interested in the success of the party, but 
has never been an office seeker. Both of 
his wives were members of the Methodist 
church and he has been a liberal contrib- 
utor to church work and to other inter- 
ests which he believes will prove of value 
to the community. Mr. Finley is one of 
the oldest residents of this section of Illi- 
nois. Continuously connected with its de- 
velopment and improvement, he has 
watched its progress from pioneer times 
and has taken an active and helpful interest 
in much that has pertained to the general 
good and to the substantial upbuilding of 
Vermilion county. 



C. J. BOGART. 



C. J. Bogart, who is now efffciently 
serving on the police force of Hoopeston, 
was born in Covington, Indiana, on the 25th 
of March, 1872, a son of Nelson and Eliza 
Bogart. His mother died when he was only 
eight years of age, and his father passed 
away at Marion, Indiana, in 1897. After 
the death of his mother he came to Vermil- 
ion county, Illinois, and made his home with 
an uncle in Danville township until sixteen 
years of age, his education being acquired 
in the district schools of that locality. Later 
he worked as a farm hand near Danville 
until 1885, when he came to Hoopeston and 
held a position in a meat market for a time 
and later drove an ice wagon for two years. 
In 1896 he was appointed to a position on 
the night police force under Mayor McFer- 
ren, and has since been connected with that 
department of the city government, his du- 
ties being performed in a most capable and 



654 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



satisfactory manner. In 1902 he was ap- 
pointed by Mayor McFerren as marshal of 
Hoopeston, and is now serving in that ca- 
pacity. 

On the 25th of March, 1900. at Hoopes- 
ston, r\Ir. Bogart married Miss OIHe Tim- 
mons, a daughter of John Timmons, a ma- 
chinist employed in the Sprague factory of 
Hoopeston. Her brothers and sisters are 
Eva, Wilbur, Tearl. Nellie, Parker and Har- 
old. Mr. Bogart has two brothers and one 
sister living, namely : Will, now a resident 
of Los Angeles, California; Morton, of Ox- 
ford, Nebraska; and Myrtle, wife of Rowan 
Yerkes, of Covington. Indiana. Unto our 
subject and his wife has been born a son, 
Ralph, whose birth occurred June 13, 1901. 

l''raternally Mr. Bogart is connected 
with the Yeomen of America, and politically 
he is identified with the Republican party. 
He is a wide-awake, energetic young man, 
whose success in life is due entirely to his 
own efforts for since the age of nme yeacs 
he has practically been dependent upon his 
own resources for a livelihood. 



A. A. TAYLOR. 



To Indiana Vermilion county is indebted 
for many of her valued residents. A. A. 
Taylor is a native son of the Hoosier state, 
born December 9, 1839. His father was 
Thomas A. Taylor, a native of Shelby coun- 
ty, Kentucky, born in 1805, and his mother 
was Iva (Allen ) Taylor, a native of Bour- 
bon county, Kentucky, born in 1806. They 
were married near Lafayette, Indiana, Sep- 
tember 21, 1830, and after their marriage 
tlie\' located on a farm there, where Mr. 
Taylor also worked at the taimcr's trade. 



They removed to Vermilion county, Illi- 
nois, in April, 1853, and located in Catlin 
township. Here he purchased a farm and 
lived on it until his death, which occurred 
September 20, 1876. The mother, long sur- 
viving him, passed away December 3, 1893. 
Mr. Taylor was a member of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian church and in his 
political views was a Ivepublican. Un- 
to himself and wife were born eight 
children, fi\e of whom are now liv- 
ing: Serepta, bom September 5, 1837, 
was married March 29, 1854, to James M> 
Dougherty, now deceased, whose sketch is 
given on another page of this volume. A. 
A. is the subject of this review. Elizabeth, 
born l"cl)ruary 2, 1845, was married Sep- 
tember 19, 1865, to John W. Newlin. of 
Danville, Illinois. Thomas A., born April 
25, 1847, was married March 11, 1869, to- 
Mary C. Acree, and they live in Catlin. Cyn- 
thia, born May 13, 1857, was married to 
Robert Smith. December 25, 1873, and they 
now reside in Bolivar, Missouri. 

In the schools of Tippecanoe county, 
the subject of this review received his boy- 
hood training until he was thirteen years 
of age, when he removed with his parents 
to Catlin township, Vermilion county, Illi- 
nois. There he continued his studies and 
assisted on the farm. At Catlin, July 3, 
1861, he responded to his country's call for 
aid, enlisting in Company I, Thirty-fifth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain 
Lewis, Colonel A. G. Smith, and Lieutenant 
Colonel William P. Chandler. He was 
nnistered in at St. Louis, Missouri, and was 
from there ordered with his command to 
Jefferson City, Alissouri. He then joined 
General h'remont's forces in pursuit of 
Price and went to Raleigh. Missouri, where 
the regiment went into winter quar- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



655 



ters. After the battle of Pea Ridge, they 
returned to Cape Girardeau, Missouri. 
From there they took a boat and went south, 
joining Grant's forces. Later they came 
back to Corinth and Louisville, Kentucky, 
and were there under the command of Gen- 
eral Buell. Mr. Taylor participated in the 
battle at Peach Tree Creek, then went south 
to Nashville and was in the campaign at 
Murfreesboro. He was in the battle of 
Stone River, then under General Rose- 
crans. He took part in the battles of Chat- 
tanooga, Chickamauga and Missionary 
Ridge and was in all the skirmishes and bat- 
tles of his command. He was with Sher- 
man in his Atlanta campaign, and was 
wounded in the face with a rifle ball at Rock 
Face Ridge, in Georgia, near Dalton. He 
had received a wound in the arm at Chicka- 
mauga, but continued in the fighting line. 
He was taken to the hospital on account of 
his wound in the face and before he was re- 
leased by the surgeons his time had ex- 
pired. He was mustered out with his regi- 
ment at Springfield, Illinois, September 27. 
1864. He then returned to Catlin township 
and engaged in farming. 

On the 22d of February, 1866, Mr. Tay- 
lor was united in marriage to Miss Anna 
Neville, who was born in Tippecanoe coun- 
ty, Indiana, January 15, 1845, ^ daughter 
of George N. and Mary Susan (Throck- 
morton) Neville. Her father was a native 
of Moorefield, Hardy county, Virginia, 
born February 2, 1820. and her mother was 
a native of Romney, Flampshire county, Vir- 
ginia, born December 16, 1823. The father 
came to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in 
1835. and the mother came in 1839. They 
were married in Romney, that county, Sep- 
tember 24, 1840. They removed to Ver- 
milion county, Illinois, in 1854. He fol- 



lowed farming and also engaged in carpen- 
tering. He was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church and in politics was a Re 
publican. His death occurred January 8, 
1891, at 12:15 '■^- M-. while his wife died 
August 24, 1889, at 3 :oo P. M. They were 
the parents of the following children, ten in 
number; Delia E., born ^May 26, 1841, 
died April 7, 1843. George W,, born No- 
vember 16, 1842, and a member of Com- 
pany D, Twenty-fifth Regiment of Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded in 
the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, June 2t,. 
1864, and died July nth, of the same year. 
Ann Catherine, bom January 15, 1845, '^ 
now Mrs. Taylor. Norborn N., born Sep- 
tember 17, 1847, married Elizabeth Price 
September 14, 1870. He is in the bakery 
business and resides at Fairmount, Illinois. 
Mary Elizabeth, born December 13, 1849, 
was married August 9, 1870, to Henry Col- 
lins. Frank, born September 8, 1853, mar- 
ried Maggie Cannon, January 2, 1877, and 
they reside in Fairmount. Sallie Virginia, 
also of Fairmount, was born September 8, 
1855. Ada, born January 26, 1858, wSs 
married June 24, 1879, to Rev. L. W. Cal- 
fee, and they reside in San Jose, California. 
Nellie, born June 30, 1861, was married 
January 27, 1881, to G. W. Owen. Their 
home is in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Lucy 
T., born September 22, 1863, died Tune 9. 
1864. 

LTnto Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have been 
born three children, but two have passed 
away. George A., born February 9, 1869, 
in Catlin, Illinois, married Orpha D. Sil- 
vers. They reside near Catlin, and have 
two sons. Frank and George A. After his 
marriage Mr. Taylor purchased the farm on 
which his son George A. now resides, in 
Catlin township. He remained upon that 



656 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



farm until 1881, when lie went to Eureka 
Springs. Arkansas. spending eighteen 
months there. He then returned to Illinois 
and located in Fairmount, where he has 
since lived, retired from active life. His 
former years of industry had brought to 
him a good competency, and he has been 
very successful. He owns one hundred and 
seventy acres of land besides city property 
in Fairmount. In that place he has a spa- 
cious, modern home, and is surrounded with 
all the comforts of life. Both he and his 
wife now belong to the Christian Science 
church and he has ever been interested ir. 
its welfare and in the uplifting of his fellow 
men. He is a Republican in his political 
views, but has refused to accept office, pre- 
ferring to devote his energies to his busi- 
ness interests. In all of these he has pros- 
pered and he is regarded as a substantial 
citizen of Fairmount. IMr. Taylor has a 
complete genealogical history of the Taylor 
family. 



THOMAS BENNETT. 

I'^rom pioneer times down to the present 
Thomas Bennett has been a resident of Ver- 
milion county and here through his busi- 
ness affairs carefully and honorably direct- 
ed he has won excellent success. His pala- 
tial home, which was erected at a cost of 
alx)ut fifteen thousand dollars, stands as 
a monument to his life of enterprise. This 
is one of the most attractive residences of 
the county, beautifully furnished with all 
that wealth can secure- and refined taste sug- 
gest. It contains fourteen rooms with hard 
.wood finishing throughout and all modern 
conveniences. It is lighted with gas and 



Mr. Bennett has his own water works upon 
the place with two and a half horse power 
gasoline engine. 

A native of England, Thomas Bennett, 
was born June 24, 1830, in Bedfordshire, 
his parents being Thomas and Rebecca 
(Stewart) Bennett, both of whom were na- 
tives of England and came to America in 
1S51, settling in Ross township, Vermilion 
county. Here the father purchased three 
hundred and twenty acres of land and be- 
came a well known farmer, cultivating and 
improving his property, which in the course 
of years became quite valuable. It was a 
raw tract when it came into his possession,- 
but he had splendid equipments and contin- 
ued his farming operations throughout his 
active business career. He died when about 
seventy-four years of age, and like his wife 
was laid to rest in the Mann burying 
ground. 

Thomas Bennett was the seventh in or- 
der of birth in a family of nine children, of 
whom three are now living. His brothers, 
Samuel and Simeon, are both residents of 
Dan\ille. He obtained his early education 
in England, attending the common schools 
of his native country and after coming to 
America he assisletl his father in farming. 
He had learned the butcher's trade in Eng- 
land and he also followed that pursuit for 
fifteen years at Covington, Indiana. He 
also began the packing business in a small 
way and gradually developed a large enter- 
prise of profitable proportions. Mr. Ben- 
nett likewise engaged in butchering at Dan- 
ville and he was in the employ of Henry 
Smith, a pioneer butcher of Danville, work- 
ing for twelve dollars per month. He also 
drove a team for William Lamb, another 
pioneer settler of tiie county, who was killed 
during the Civil war. For this work he 






'/^^ /J^^^p^ 




THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



659 



recived only twelve dollars per month and 
had to board himself. 

In October, 1858, Mr. Bennett was 
united in marriage to Miss Catherine E. 
Mann, a sister of Abraham Mann, and a 
daughter of Abraham Mann, Sr. She died 
in 1872 and the six children born of that 
marriage are also deceased. For his sec- 
ond wife Mr. Bennett chose Miss Frances 
Beal, a native of Kentucky and a resident 
of Vermilion county. They occupy the 
beautiful home before described and extend 
to their many friends its gracious and 
warm-hearted hospitality. 

Mr. Bennett now owns about one thou- 
sand acres of well improved and highly cul- 
tivated land. As his financial resources 
have increased he has made judicious in- 
vestments in real estate and was at one time 
the owner of sixteen hundred acres, but of 
recent years has sold six hundred acres. 
He makes a specialty of the feeding of cat- 
tle and the raising of high grade hogs. He 
annually ships from three to five hundred 
head of Duroc Jersey hogs and from seven- 
ty-five to one hundred head of cattle each 
year. His business interests have been well 
managed and he is to-day widely known as 
a successful and leading stock-dealer of this 
portion of the state. Great changes have 
occurred in the county since his arrival here 
for the primitive conditions had not given 
way before the advance of civilization when 
the Bennett family was established in east- 
ern Illinois. Prairie chickens, geese and 
ducks furnished ample opportunity for the 
hunter to indulge his love of that sport and 
Mr. Bennett also engaged in hunting wolves 
on many occasions. 

He cast his first presidential vote for 
John C. Fremont and long gave his support 
to the Republican party, but now votes in- 



dependently. For many years he served as 
school treasurer and has always been inter- 
ested in the cause of education and the prac- 
tical development of the schools here. Both 
he and his wife are members of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church and Thomas Bennett 
is numbered among the influential citizens 
and pioneer settlers whose life record forms 
an integral part in the history of Vermilion 
county. His achievements in business are 
all of a notable character, because without 
capital he started out in life for himself and 
he stands to-day among the prosperous men 
of the county, his beutiful home being a 
monument to his well spent life. 



FRANCIS M. CAMPBELL. 

Among the representatives of agricul- 
tural interests in Vermilion county who 
were also numbered among the boys in blue 
of the Civil war, is Francis Marion Camp- 
bell, who now resides on section 17, F.lwood 
township, where he has two hundred and 
ninety acres of valuable land. He was bora 
October 8, 1846, in Vermilion county, In- 
diana, near Clinton, on the edge of Heath 
Prairie. His parents were Jonas and Anna 
(Tenbrook) Campbell. His father was a 
native of southern Ohio, and his mother of 
Pennsylvania, and in childhood they re- 
moved with their respective parents to In- 
diana, settling near Terre Haute, in 1806. 
Some years afterward Jonas Campbell went 
up the river to Parke county, where he 
tormed the acquaintance of Miss Tenbrook, 
and they were united in marriage, beginning 
their domestic life in Indiana. They there 
remained until 1854, when they came to 
Vermilion county, Illinois, settling in El- 
wood township. Upon the farm which the 



66o 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



father there secured, they reared their fam- 
ily, numbering eight children, namely : Ol- 
ive, who died at the age of twenty-three 
years; Mrs. Barbara Long, a widow, resid- 
ing in Danville; William, who was killed 
in the battle of Mission Ridge, while serv- 
ing as a sergeant in the Union army, during 
the Civil war, at the age of twenty-five 
years ; Mrs. Rachel Van Dyne, a resident of 
Sidell, Illinois; Nancy, who died at the age 
of eighteen years; Francis M. ; Mrs. Isabel 
Nicholson, of Upland, California; and Mrs. 
Lizzie Bell, of Oakwood, Illinois. The father 
of this family was called to his final rest 
in 1875 and the mother passed away in 
1870. 

Francis M. Campbell pursued his etlu- 
cation in the common schools and was 
reared under the parental roof in \'ermilion 
county, Illinois, having been brought to this 
locality when a young lad. He was mar- 
ried on the nth of January, 187 1, to Mary 
J. Reynolds, a daughter of Moses and Eu- 
nice (Pearson) Reynolds. In early life they 
were residents of Parke county, Indiana, 
were there married, and in the year 1854 
came to Vermilion county, Illinois, settling 
in Elwood township. Their children were 
Mrs. Campbell and Elvira A., who died 
February 24, 1878, at the age of nineteen 
years. 

Our subject and his wife began their 
domestic life on a farm in Elwond town- 
ship, and in the year 1871 he purchased his 
present home farm on section 1 7. which is 
now under high cultivation, and returns to 
him a golden tribute for the care and labor 
he bestows upon it. Through his entire life 
his time and energies have been devoted to 
agricultural pursuits with the exception of 
the period of his service in the Civil war. 
At the time when the country became in- 



volved in hostilities over the slavery cjues- 
tion he offered his services to the govern- 
ment, enlisting in the One Hundred and 
Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry. In his farm- 
ing methods he is enterprising and pro- 
gressi\e and upon his place are some of the 
latest improved farming implements and 
other equipments for facilitating his work. 
In his business methods he is alike honor- 
able and trustworthy and bis succe.ss is 
due none the less to his business integrity 
than to his indefatigable labor. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell 
has been blessed with three children, but only 
one is now Hving: Cloyd, born November 
20, 1873. died at the age of five years. Clay- 
ton, born October 15, 1880, passed away 
October 15. 1883. on his third birthday. 
Paul J., born November 8, 1884, is still with 
his parents. He possesses considerable lit- 
erary ability and is a wide-awake, enter- 
prising and intelligent young man. Mr. 
Cam])l)ell is identified with the Society of 
Friends and with the Republican party, to 
which he gives a loyal support, although 
he has never been an aspirant for office 
He is regarded as one of the best citizens 
of his community because in all life's rela- 
tions be is true and honorable, and to-day 
he is also clas.sed among the substantial ag- 
riculturists of Elwood township. 



R. T. BARTON. 



The prosperity of any community, town 
or city depends upon its commercial activ- 
ity, its industrial interests and its trade re- 
lations, and therefore the real upbuilders of 
a town are those who stand at the head of 
its leading enterprises. Mr. Barton is well 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



66 1 



known in Jamaica in connection with the 
grain and lumber trades, and ahhough a 
}-oung man has met with sucess that many 
a one of twice his years might well envy. 
He is a native of Urbana, Illinois, born June 
7, 1872. His father, C. W. Barton, was 
born in Walker, Indiana, and after arriving 
at years of maturit}' was married in that 
state to Emazetta Dillon, a native of Mar- 
ion, Indiana. The father was a stationary 
engineer and after residing for a time in 
Marion, Indiana, he removed to Urbana, 
where he worked at his trade. In the year 
1882 he came to Fairniount, where both he 
and his wife are now residing. He became 
employed as an engineer in the Fairmount 
coal mines. In his political affiliations he 
is a Democrat and fraternally he is connect- 
ed with Fairmount Lodge, No. 590, F. & A. 
]\I., and with the Brotherhood of Mine 
Hoisting Engineers. In the family were 
six children : Ida, the wife of William 
Holmes, a resident of San Francisco, Cal- 
ifornia; \V. C, who is conducting a barber 
shop in Champaign ; Royal T. ; Zerba, the 
wife of C. N. Perkins, of Fairmount, Illi- 
nois : Elmer, who is weighmaster of the coal 
mines of Fairmount ; and Sadie, who resides 
with her parents. 

R. T. Barton pursued his education in 
the schools of Urbana, Illinois, and of Fair- 
mount, putting aside his text-books in Jan- 
uary, 1893, in order to become a factor in 
the business world. He accepted the posi- 
tion of bookkeeper at the coal mines, where 
■ he remained for six months. He was then 
transferred to the office of the superinten- 
dent of the mines in Danxille. acting in the 
capacity of assistant there for a year and 
a half. He was next returned to Fairmount, 
having charge of the c(impany's busin£ss at 
this place for two years. He retained his 



position as manager, and was engaged in 
business on his own account. He then re- 
signed, and in January, 1897, he purchased 
a half interest in an elevator at Jamaica, 
Illinois, becoming a member of the firm of 
Porterfield & Barton, his partner being M. 
F. Porterfield, the banker at that place. They 
still conduct the business which is success- 
fully carried on, and are doing a large trade 
in grain, making extensive purchases and 
sales, yiv. Barton is also engaged in the 
lumber business with W. I. Baird, under the 
firm name of Barton & Company, at Jamai- 
ca, and in this enterprise is meeting with 
creditable success, the patronage of the firm 
having constantly grown until the sales are 
now large and profitable. He has made 
judicious investments in real estate and is 
the owner of three hundred and twenty 
acres of land in Harris county, Texas, near 
Houston, which is devoted to the cultivation 
of rice. 

On the 19th of August, 1897, in Fair- 
mount, ^Ir. Barton was united in marriage 
to Miss Mamie Browning, who was born 
in Danville, Illinois, on the 9th of Decem- 
ber, 1874. Her father, George Browning, 
was born April 30, 1826, in Sheffield, Eng- 
land, and in 1836 the parents came to Amer- 
ica, establishing their home in Cherry Val- 
ley, New York. Later they removed to 
Springfield, Ohio. Mr. Browning became 
identified with the butchering business and 
engaged in that trade in Springfield until 
1848, when he came to Fairmount, Illinois. 
Here he also engaged in the butchering busi- 
ness and purchased land. He was a son of 
Benjamin Boothby Browning, also a native 
of England. After arriving at years of ma- 
turity George Browning was joined in wed- 
lock to ]\Iary Riley, a daughter of John and 
Rachel (Dalby) Riley, who were also na- 



662 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



tives of the "nierrie isle." Mrs. Browning's 
birth occurred February 23, 1836, in Lin- 
ton, Greene county, Indiana. Mr. Brown- 
ing gave his pohtical support to the Prohi- 
bition party and was a member of the Bap- 
tist church. His death occurred in July, 
1897. Unto him and his wife were born 
the following children: Harriet, the wife 
of J. S. Baird, of Homer, Illinois; Fannie, 
the wife of J. R. Wragg, a resident of 
Springfield, Ohio; Hanson, who married 
Alice Cluxton, and is living in Urbana, Illi- 
nois ; Albert, who married Lucy Wilson, and 
makes his home in Gibson City, Illinois; 
\\'alter, who died at the age of twenty- 
eight years; ]\Iamie, the wife of our sub- 
ject; Ruth, who died in October, 1897, ai 
the age of nineteen years; Naomi, who is 
a twin sister of Ruth and resides in Fair- 
mount; John O., who is a plumber and gas 
fitter of Seattle, Washington; and Ethel, 
who resides with her mother. By a former 
marriage there was one child, Jessie, wife 
■of J. F. Baird, of Vance township. 

The home of iMr. and Mrs. Barton has 
been blessed with one child, Mildred, born 
June 12, 1898. The family have a very 
pleasant home in Jamaica, and the parents 
are members of the Baptist church of Fair- 
mount. In ])olitics Mr. Barton is a Repub- 
lican, and has served as town clerk. Fra- 
ternally he is connected with Jamaica Camp, 
No. 9222, M. W. A., of Jamaica. A j^oung 
man, he possesses the enterprising spirit of 
the west which has been a dominant factor 
in producing the wonderful development of 
this section of the country. To him there 
has come the attainment of a leading posi- 
tion in connection with the commercial en- 
terprises of his county, and his efforts have 
been so discerningly directed along well de- 
fined lines of labor that he seems to have 



realized the full measure of his possibilities 
for accomplishment. His success is the di- 
rect result of his own foresight, business 
ability and perseverance, and he is justly 
accounted one of the leading young business 
men of Jamaica. 



PAUL E. FITHIAN, M. D. 

Dr. I'aul E. Fithian has become recog- 
nized as a capable physician of his native 
county. His thorough preparation and 
earnest study have made him proficient as 
a practitioner of medicine and gained for 
him a liberal patn^inage. He was born on 
the old Fithian homestead, July 4, 1866, a 
son of Elisha C. B. Fithian, whose sketch 
is given on another page of this volume. 
He began his education in the district 
schools and later became a student in the 
high school at Danville. Subsequently he 
obtained a county certificate and began 
teaching in Oakwood township, following 
that profession for two years. Having 
then determined to make the medical pro- 
fession his life work, he began studying and 
for sexeral years continued to read private- 
ly. He then entered the Keokuk Medical 
College, at Ket)kuk, Iowa, in 1888, and was 
graduated \\ith the class of 1890. Not 
content yet to enter the ranks of medical 
practitioners he matriculated in Rush Med- 
ical College of Chicago, in which he was 
graduated with the class of 1B91. 

After his graduation Dr. Fithian went 
to Spring-field, Illinois, where he began 
practicing as house physician in the Wa- 
bash Hospital, acting in that capacity for 
two vears. On the expiration of that period 
he removed to Decatur, Illinois, where he 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



665 



was in charge of the Wabash Dispensary 
for three years and there he gained a good 
practice. He next returned to Springfield, 
Ilhnois, where he had charge of the Wabash 
Hospital until his removal to Fithian. He 
has built up a good practice in tliis place 
and has demonstrated his ability to cope 
with many of the intricate problems which 
continuall}^ face the physician. 

In March, 1898, occurred the marriage 
of Dr. Fithian- and Mrs. Cora Jewell. The 
Doctor was made a Mason in Macon Lodge, 
No. 8, A. F. & A. M., and he also belongs 
to Macon Chapter, No. 21, R. A. M. In 
his political views he is an earnest Demo- 
crat, but the honors and emoluments of 
office have no attraction for him. In con- 
nection with his practice he superintends his 
father's landed interests, comprising eleven 
hundred acres. The Doctor is well known 
in his native county as a man of many ex- 
cellent traits of character and a genial dis- 
position and is popular with a large circle 
of friends. 



GEORGE T. JONES. 

George T. Jones is a representative agri- 
culturist of Vermilion county and the owner 
of one of the best farms in Oakwood town- 
ship. He was born June ist, 1859, and is 
a son of William R. and Peninnah (Coon) 
Jones, the former a native of Greene county, 
Ohio, and the latter also a native of the 
Buckeye state, where they were married. 
In the sketch of Charles E. Jones, which 
appears on another page of this work, the 
genealogy of the Jones family is traced back 
to Elisha Jones, the great-grandfather, 
whose son, Elisha Jones, was the father of 
William R. Jones, who in turn was the fath- 



er of the subject of this review. William 
R. Jones was born June 11, 1828, and was 
married October 4, 1848. Seven children 
were born to him and his wife : James- 
K., born September 20, 1849, married Car- 
rie Harrison. They have one child and re- 
side in Norwood, Kansas. Maiy Angelina, 
now deceased, became. the wife of Samuel 
Adolphus Copeland, a resident of Oakwood 
township. She was born August 9, 185 1, 
and his birth occurred j\Iay 16, 1850. 
Charles E. is the third in order of birth. 
Lydia Ann, born March 20, 1856, died July 
15, 1857. George T. is the fifth child. Mar- 
guerita Louisa was born July 5, 1862. Mil- 
lie, the sevnth child and youngest of the 
family, was born August 10, 1865, and died 
January 30, 1866. William R. Jones was a 
blacksmith by trade and also followed min- 
ing in Dubuque, Iowa, besides owning and 
operating farms in Ohio, Iowa and Illinois, 
his last farm being in Vermilion county, Illi- 
nois, where he resided continuously for thir- 
ty-four years before his death, which oc- 
curred March 9, 1901. He lost his first 
wife by death and was married the second* 
time, the lady of his choice being Henrietta 
Smith, a native of Illinois, and now a resi- 
dent of Fithian, Illinois. Mr. Jones was 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church 
and fraternally was connected with the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows. In poli- 
tics he was a Republican. He was a very 
active and energetic man and did much to- 
ward the upbuilding and development of 
the communities where he resided. 

George T. Jones attended school in 
Fairmount, Illinois, and also in Oakwood 
township, he having come to Vermilion 
county when he was six years of age, with 
his parents. He left school at the age of 
nineteen and then worked on his father's 



666 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



farm until his marriage, wliich important 
event in his hfe occurred on the 9th of De- 
cember, 1882. near Armstrong, \^ermi!ion 
county. Illinois, when he led to the altar 
Miss Martha A. Seals. She was born in 
Vermilion county, December 9, 1861, and 
is a daughter of Rev. Charles Brady Seals, 
a nati\e of Tennessee. Rev. C. B. Seals 
was of German descent and was a son of 
Dawson Seals, a native of Pennsylvania. 
Rev. Seals was a minister of the Baptist 
church and was married to Jemima Parsley, 
a native of Indiana. The wedding was sol- 
emnized in Indianapolis, Indiana. Rev. 
Seals was ordained at ]\Iount Pleasant 
church, near Muncie, Illinois. He continued 
as pastor of that church for over twenty 
years, also preaching the gospel at the Bap- 
tist church, at Momence. Illinois, and sev- 
eral other churches in Illinois. He gave up 
his pastorate at Walker's Point, Illinois, 
and went to Chrisman, this state, there re- 
maining for four years, and then his health 
failing, he removed back to his farm. He 
has been minister of the church at East 
Lynn and at Luddenville, Illinois, and since 
then has been preaching in the south, 
through Tennessee. He is a very accom- 
plished theological scholar, a man of brill- 
iant intellect and strong moral and spiritual 
character. His mental attributes are of the 
highest quality, and his influence for good 
has been widely felt throughout the com- 
munities where he has labored as a minister, 
and many have been brought to choose the 
"straight and narrow path" by reason of 
his eloquence and good example. He and 
his wife are both people of noble character 
and have many friends. He is a member 
of the ^Masonic fraternity and in politics is 
a strong Democrat, believing firmly in the 
principles of the party. Rev. Seals and 



wife became the parents of eight children, 
six girls and two boys. Of these, five grew 
to years of maturity and are still living, as 
follows: Molly, the wife of Frank P. Dal- 
bey, has six children and resides on a farm 
near l-'ithian, Illinois. Martha is now ]\Irs. 
Jones. Emma, the wife of Brazier Brown, 
resides in Monon, Indiana, and has four 
children. John B. married Lucy Lynch and 
resides in Leverette, Illinois. Retta, the 
wife of Frank Umi)henour, resides in St. 
Louis, Missouri, and has one child. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been born 
six children, three of whom are still living : 
Nellie A., born July 3, 1885, and Ernest R.. 
born August 13, 1887, members of the 
Methodist JCpiscopal church: and George 
Raymond, born September 30, 1898. 

After his marriage Mr. Jones located on 
a farm near Armstrong, Illinois. There the 
young couple remained for one year, when 
they removed to the farm of i\Ir. Jones' 
father, situated opposite to the farm on 
which they now reside. They remained on 
the father's farm for one year and then re- 
moxed to the farm of C. E. Jones, a brother 
of the subject of this review. Here they 
also lived one year, when Mr. Jones pur- 
chased a farm one and three-fourths miles 
west of Oakwood, February 10. 1887. This 
was a farm of eighty-four acres. Mr. Jones 
remained on this farm for fourteen years. 
He then sold it and purchased the old home- 
stead farm of one hundred and sixteen acres 
situated on section 20, in Oakwood town- 
ship. He acquired this farm by purchasing 
the interest of the other heirs. His father 
had burnt the brick and lime to build the 
house and cut the timber on this place, in 
1874. The residence is one of the finest in 
the county, and its appointments are in the 
very best taste, having an artistic appear- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



567 



ance and also being very comfortable. !Mr. 
Jones raises a high grade of stock for the 
market upon his farm, and this returns to 
him a good income for his care. He is 
accounted a progressive farmer and one who 
is thoroughly up-to-date, ha\'ing all modern 
ec|uipments and accessories with which to 
conduct the work and compel the fields to 
yield crops of the best quality and large 
amount. In January, 1903, Mr. Jones pur- 
chased the Fithian telephone exchange, 
which covers the surrounding country within 
a radius of several miles from Fithian. This 
is a personal affair and he gives his direct 
supervision to it. Mr. Jones and his wife 
are members of the Baptist church and he 
has always voted the Republican ticket, be- 
ing a strong adherent to the principles of 
that party. Mr. Jones has added to his in- 
come through diligence and perseverence 
and he well deserves the respect and confi- 
dence of his friends and associates, which 
is cheerfully accorded him. 



FRAZIER N. CLOYD, M. D. 

Frazier N. Cloyd, a leading physician of 
Westville, was born in Georgetown town- 
ship, Vermilion county, May 19, 1868, and 
is a son of Dr. J. P. and Hannah (Golden) 
Cloyd, the father a native of Tennessee, and 
the mother of Illinois. Dr. Cloyd, the elder, 
has followed the practice of medicine for 
thirty-five years, and is a well known phy- 
sician of his part of the county, command- 
ing a liberal patronage by reason of his effi- 
ciency in his chosen calling. Fraternallv he 
is a thirty-third degree Mason, who in his 
life exemplifies the precepts of the craft. His 
wife departed this life in February, 1895. 



When the subject of this re\'iew was but 
eleven months old he was brought by his 
parents to the \-illage of Georgetown, where 
the family has since resided and where Fra- 
zier N. Cloyd grew to manhood. In his 
youth he received a good education, attend- 
ing the high school and being a graduate of 
the same. He then taught school at Maple 
Grove schoolhouse for one year, at West- 
ville two years, Georgetown grammar 
school for one year, after which he was 
principal of the Catlin schools for one year. 
In the fall of 1891 he entered Rush Medical 
College, of Chicago, there to pursue a course 
of study ^preparatory for the practice of 
medicine. He attended the sessions of 
1 89 1 -2, and then became a student in the 
medical department of the University of 
Louisville, Kentucky, during 1892-3, in 
which he was graduated March 13, 1893. 
He then returned to Georgetown and upon 
arriving home found an appointment await- 
ing him as a member of the medical staff of 
the Eastern Illinois Hospital for the Insane, 
at Kankakee, Illinois, which position he ac- 
cepted and capably filled until September 
15, of that year, when on account of the 
severe illness of both his parents and the 
need of his presence at home he resigned 
his position and returned home to care for 
them. The following February — 1894— he 
opened up an office in Georgetown and con- 
tinued in the practice of medicine there un- 
til February 16, 1897, when he moved to 
Westville, where he already had quite a 
practice built up in recognition of his worth 
and ability in his chosen profession. He 
purchased a lot on North State street, front- 
ing east, where he erected a commodious 
house and office. He has since continued 
to practice with increasing success. He has 
inherited a natural gift for his line of work. 



668 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



and to this he has added all tlie advantages 
that may be acquired through careful study 
and research as well as practical experience, 
and he is widely known in his community 
as a skilled physician whose sympathetic na- 
ture and cheery manner in the sick-room 
have brought comfort and health to many a 
household. 

On March 15, 1896, Dr. Cloyd was unit- 
ed in marriage to Miss Jessie M. Summers, 
of Earl Park, Indiana. They have one 
child, Mildred, born July 17, 1S97. Dr. 
Cloyd is a member of Ionian Lodge, No. 
502, K. P., of Georgetown ; Danville Lodge, 
No. 132, B. P. O. E. ; Weltonomah Tribe, 
No. 120, I. O. R. M., of Westville, Illinois; 
and Westville Camp, No. 2966, M. W. A. 
The Doctor is medical examiner for several 
old line insurance companies as well as for 
some fraternal organizations, and is local 
surgeon for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois 
Railroad Company. His religious faith is 
indicated l)y his membership in the Metho- 
dist church of Georgetown, to which his 
wife also belongs. They are valued mem- 
bers of the community and the cordial hos- 
pitality of their attractive home is extended 
to their many friends. 



GEORGE W. INGLE. 

George W. Ingle is one of the large land 
owners of Vermilion county. There is 
much that is of deep interest in the life rec- 
ord of this gentleman, showing that a char- 
acter of worth and marked industry and 
enterprise can overcome all disadvantages 
such as are occasioned by a lack of wealth 
or of adequate education. Again and again 
does the history of American citizenship 



prove that upon the foundation of energy 
and unfaltering industry may be builded 
prosperity. This is exemplified in the life 
record of our subject and to-day he is one 
of the honored and respected as w-ell as 
prosperous men of Hoopeston. He was 
born in North Carolina and when only four 
years of age was taken to the wild forest 
region of Ohio by his parents, both of 
whom died there, the mother passing away 
when our subject was only four and one- 
half years of age. He then went to live 
with his uncle, Sam Ingle, in Darke county, 
and with him he remained until nine years 
of age. At that early period in his career 
— a time when most boys are sheltered by 
the loving influence of the home and are en- 
joying educational privileges which prepare 
them for later duties in life — he began earn- 
ing his own livelihood, working at farm 
labor until he reached the age of fourteen. 
He then went to Detroit, ^Michigan, where 
he spent a few months, and then returned to 
Marion county, Ohio, where he remained 
until 1855, when he came to Grant town- 
ship, Vermilion county, Illinois, tin com- 
pany with Thomas Hoopes, who purchased 
about fourteen hundred acres of land. For 
twenty-three years Mr. Ingle remained with 
Mr. Hoopes, each year earning more and 
more largely the confidence of that gentle- 
man because of his fidelity to his interests, 
his energy and capability in business and his 
honesty in all life's relations. When the 
Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad was in 
process of construction Mr. Ingle aided in 
carrying the chain and driving the sticks in 
the survey for the original plat of Hoope- 
ton, the town being named in honor of his 
friend and benefactor, Mr. Hoopes, most of 
it being laid out on land belonging to that 
eentleman. 




M' 



,MI\iULI_ 






^ 




THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



671 



In JMarcIi, 1872, in Danville, Mr. Ingle 
was united in marriage to Miss Rachel A. 
Scott, \vho was born and reared in Harri- 
son county, Ohio, and whose parents are 
deceased. The home in which Mr. Hoopes 
lived was built for two families and after 
the marriage of our subject he took his 
young bride to that house, which they occu- 
pied for a year together. At the end of 
that ime Mr. Hoopes removed with his fam- 
ily to the town and Mr. Ingle rented the 
farm, comprising six hundred acres. There 
he was extensi\ely engaged in handling 
stock which he obtained, fattened and sold 
to local buyers. Pie leased the farm for 
about six years and then began to purchase 
land, later moving to his own property, 
Avhere he remained continuously until he 
took up his abode in Hoopeston, in 1895. 
Two years later he returned to his farm, 
■\\hicli was again his home for three years, 
and in the spring of 1900 he returned to 
Hoopeston, where he has since remained. 
He owns one thousand acres of land in 
three farms and has one hundred and forty 
acres within the corporation limits of 
Hoopeston. He also owns three hundred 
and thirty acres in the school district, while 
one of his farms is three miles southwest 
of Hoopeston and the other is four miles 
south of Rossville. Mr. Ingle was remem- 
bered by Mr. Hoopes in his will, a merited 
recognition of his fidelity to his former em- 
ployer and his earnest labors for his wel- 
fare and prosperity. In business matters 
trained in the hard school of experience, 
Mr. Ingle has shown marked discernment 
and capability and in the control of his own 
affairs he has met with splendid success. 

The home of our subject and his wife 
has been blessed with one son, Scott, who is 
living with his parents and was born Feb- 
ruary 24. 1878. He has been a student in 

27 



Oberlin College of Ohio, Knox College of- 
Galesburg, Illinois, and in Bryant & Strat- 
ton Business College of Chicago. Mrs, 
Ingle is a daughter of ^Merchant and 
Mary (Stringer) Scott and was born in 
Easton, Jefferson county, Ohio. Her father 
was a farmer and school teacher and died 
in the year 1859, while his wife passed away 
in 1896. At the time of her father's death 
Mrs. Ingle, tlien about seventeen years of 
age, went to live with her uncle and was 
reared among relatives. She acciuired a 
common-school education and completed 
her studies in the United Presbyterian 
school at New Athens, Ohio, taking ad- 
vanced work in geometry and algebra there. 
In 1870 she came Avest to visit her sister, 
Mrs. Cunningham, who was reared by Mr. 
Hoopes, and. it was a sister of Mr. Hoopes 
with whom Mrs. Ingle made her home in 
Ohio. For one term the wife of our sub- 
ject engaged in teaching school in Prairie 
Green township and for two terms in Grant 
township. She is a lady of superior cul- 
ture, intelligence and refinement and is held 
in the highest regard by a large circle of » 
friends here. As before stated, by her mar- 
riage she became the mother of one son. 
He too was educated in Oberlin College, 
where he studied music, making that his 
one study. He is an expert performer on 
the cornet and from the age of thirteen has 
been a member of the band in Hoopeston. 
He possesses marked musical ability. 

In his political aftiliations Mr. Ingle is 
a Republican, although his father was a 
Jackson Democrat. He is ever fearless in 
defense of what he believes to be right, 
whether in political circles or elsewhere. 
He served as path master of roads in his 
township and for ten years was a member 
of the school board of Hoopeston, at the 
end of which time he resigned on account 



672 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



i)f ill health. During his incuiulx-ncy the 
west side sdiool building was erected and 
the old building was improved and enlarged. 
Mrs. Ingle is at present the president of the 
board of education here, having been elect- 
ed in 1902, being the first lady ever chosen 
as a member of the Hoopeston school 
board. Since his arrival in Vermilion 
county Mr. Jngle has resided continuously 
in Hoopeston. or wit'.iin a mile of the city. 
He has always taken the deepest interest 
in the progress and upbuilding of this por- 
tion i)i the stale and as his lime and means 
have permitted he has assisted largely in the 
development, improvement and advance- 
ment of this portion of the state. Strong 
of purpose, resourceful and with keen dis- 
crimination he has made the most of his 
opportunities and by reason of his large 
success, his uni)lemishcd character, his just 
and liberal life and the universal esteem 
which he here enjoys, Mr. Ingle might 
without invidious distinction be called one 
of the foremost citizens of his adopted 
countv. 



THOMAS WATSON. 

Long acti\ely connected with agricul- 
tural interests in \'ermilion county, owning 
and operating five hundred sixty acres of 
valuable land. Thomas Watson thereby ac- 
quired a handsome competence which now 
enables him to live retired from further 
business cares and at his pleasant home at 
No. 417 Gilbert street, in Danville, he is 
now enjoying a well merited rest. He was 
born in Vermilion county, near the city of 
Danville. February 18, 1846. and is a son 
of John R. A\'atson, whose birth occurred 
in Nelson county, Kentucky, May 4, 181 1. 



The grandfather, William W'atson. was alsci 
a native of Nelson county, and on leaving 
the Bluegrass state removed to Indiana and 
took up his abode in Harrison county. In 
1826 he removed to Illinois, settling in 
Vermilion county among its earliest resi- 
dents. Here he purchased lantl^ and devel- 
oped a farm, being one of the pioneer agri- 
culturists of this portion of the state. He 
was not long permitted to enjoy his new 
home, however, for his death occurred in 
1829. His son, John R. Watson, was but 
a boy when the family came to Illinois. He 
served in the Black Hawk war and l)ecame 
identified with pioneer development and im- 
provement here, being reared amid the wild 
scenes of the frontier. He shared with the 
family in all the hardships and trials inci- 
dent to establishing a home in the wild west- 
ern district. When he started out in life 
on his own account he had no capital save 
strong determination and a pair of willing 
hands. .Steadily, however, he removed all 
difificulties and obstacles, gradually working 
his way upward until his landed possessions 
were extensive, comprising about one thou- 
sand acres. i\Iuch of his land was highly 
cultixated and splendidly improved, and he 
became one of the most successful farmers 
of \'crmilion county. His home was sit- 
uated aI)out five miles northeast of Danville, 
and there he remained until 1873, when he 
left the farm and purchased residence prop- 
erty in the city, spending his remaining 
days in retirement from agricultural pur- 
suits. He enjoyed a hale and hearty old 
age and passed away in Danville in 1S98 at 
the age of eighty-seven. His wife was called 
to her final rest in May, 1889, anrl after her 
death the father of our subject was mar- 
ried again. Thomas Watson is the young- 
est living son of a family of six sons and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



673 



one danghter that reached mature years. 
Four of the numljer are yet surviving. One 
brother, John Watson, is now a resident of 
Williamsport. Indiana, and George Wat- 
son makes his home at No. 1 1 1 1 Gilbert- 
street, Dan\'ille, a retired farmer. There 
is one sister, I\Iiner\-a, wlio is tlie widow 
of Ira M. Henry, of Vermihon county, lier 
husl^and having died July 22, 1895. 

Thomas Watson was reared to manhood 
on the old family homestead and early be- 
came familiar with the active work of the 
farm, assisting in the plowing, planting and 
harvesting from early spring until the crops 
were garnered in the autumn. The country 
schools afforded him his educational privi- 
leges and he remained with his father until 
after he attained his majority, lieing an act- 
ive factor in the cultivation of the old home 
place. At length he desired to engage in 
business for himself and he made prepara- 
tions for having a home of his own by his 
marriage, which occurred in this county 
September 21, 1865, the lady of his choice 
being Miss Sarah E. Adams, a native of 
Vermilion county, and a daughter of Sam- 
uel Adams, who was one of the first set- 
tlers in this portion of the state, having 
come here in 1825, from Harrison county, 
Kentucky, where he was reared. He aided 
in erecting the first house in Danville, a 
log structure, which was built after the 
primitive manner of the times. Before com- 
ing to Illinois he had married Nancy Mar- 
tin, a native of Kentucky. In Vermilion 
county he secured a tract of land wdiich he 
at once began to cultivate and improve and 
gradually he extended the boundaries of 
his farm until it became a large one. The 
rich prairie land' of Illinois also returned to 
him a good income for his Labor. Seldom 
if ever are crops a perfect failure in this 



state, and year by year, by the sale of his 
products he was enabled to add to his cap- 
ital. He died May 17, 1881, and the mother 
of Mrs. Watson passed away during the 
early girlhood of her daughter, after which 
Mr. Adams was again married. Our sub- 
ject and his wife began their domestic life 
upon a farm near Danville, the place com- 
prising one hundred si.xty acres, the greater 
part of which was not yet ready for culti- 
vation, but he began to clear it and after 
plowing the fields he planted his grain and 
in course of time gathered rich harvests. 
For seven years he resided upon his first 
place and then sold that property, removing 
to the city. He he purchased a harness 
store, carrying on business for two years, 
after which he s<;)ld the enterprise and 
bought a farm east of Bismarck, in Newell 
township, comprising three hundred and 
twenty acres. On this he took up his abode 
and at once began its further improvement. 
Later he purchased more land in Ross town- 
ship, becoming the owner of five hundred 
sixty acres in one body. He built a large 
and attractive residence, also barns and nec^ 
essary oiitbuildings, and carried on the worl- 
of improvement in accordance with the ad- 
vanced ideas of his time and state. He 
planted an orchard, set out a grove of ma- 
ple and ornamental trees, tiled his fields, 
fenced his property and aflded the latest 
improved machinery for facilitating his 
farm w^ork. He also bought another place 
of one hundred and sixty acres in Ross 
township and carried on farming there until 
1888. In that year he removed to Califor- 
nia, where he spent several months, but not 
liking the country he returned to his farm 
in Vermilion county, Illinois, making it his 
place of residence until 1893, when he pur- 
chased a lot in Danville and erected a neat 



6/4 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



and substantial home lierc. He has since 
purcliased land and built other houses, in- 
cluding the block at the corner of Van Bur- 
en and Jackson streets. This is a valuable 
two-story brick business block. Since lo- 
cating in Danville he has practically lived 
retired, for his activity in agricultural pur- 
suits has brought to him a sufficient capital- 
to enable him to put aside the more arduous 
cares of business life. 

Unto Mr. and I\Irs. Watson have been 
born five children, all of whom reached ma- 
ture years : Dora E. is the wife of George 
S. Job.nson, of Terre Haute, Indiana, and 
they have one .son, Clarence Scott ; Samuel 
R., who resides on the old homestead, is 
married and has four children. Pearl, Ruth. 
Haldnn and Leon; Bertha A. i> the wife of 
W. H. Ogden, of Ploopcston, Illinois, and 
has two children, Grace and Alice: Ernest 
RI., who owns and operates a part of the 
old home place, is married, and had one son, 
Lowell W., who. at the age of seventeen 
months, died September ii, 1902; ^^'ill- 
iani \\'.. the youngest, is married and is 
now living in Hoopeston. 

Eor a number of years Air. W'atson 
served on the school board, and the cause of 
education ever found in him a warm friend. 
He and his wife hold membership in the 
First Christian church of Danville, and in 
politics he is a Democrat and does all in 
his power to advance the success of the 
party, but has never sought or desired office 
for himself. ^Vith the exception of the 
short period of time which he spent in Cali- 
fornia he h:is always resided in Vermilion 
county, and i.s justly proud of what has been 
accomplished here in the line of material 
progress, intellectual advancement and mor- 
al culture. He has seen much of the land 
cleared, the prairies broken, the fences built 



and the roads constructed. He has wit- 
nessed the development of fine farms and the 
growth of thriving towns and cities, mani- 
festing a deep and active interest in every- 
thing pertaining to the general good. 
Throughout all the years he has maintained 
an upright character and he and his estima- 
ble wife ha\e a very large circle of friends 
in this countv. 



T. T. TTO\\'.\RD. 



J. J. Howard, a farmer and supervisor 
of Vance township, was born in Spottsyl- 
vania county, Virginia, December 17, 1846, 
and is descended from good old Revolu- 
tionary stock, his great-grandfather ha\-ing 
been one of the heroes who fought for the 
independence of the nation. James \V. 
Howard, the father of our subject, was also 
a native of the Old Dominion, and in I'red- 
ericksburg. Virginia, he wedded Sarah .\d- 
ams, a native of Xew Jersey. They located 
in Spottsylvania county, where they lived 
for twenty years, and the father of our sub- 
ject engaged in farming there. He pur- 
chased land which he cultivated for some 
time, but subsequently he disposed of his 
business interests in the east and in 1858 
brought his family to Vermilion county, 
Illinois, locating in X'ance township. Here 
he bought eighty acres of land south of 
Eairmount, and made his home thereon for 
twehe years. Subse([uently he purchased 
another farm which he later sold, and in 
1870 he removed to Davis county, Iowa, 
where he became the owner of two hun- 
dred and forty acres of land which he 
owneil and cultivated for twelve years. lie 
was then called to his final rest in 1882. The 
mother of our subject had died in Sq^tem- 




DANIEL CtUNDER. 




JAMES W. HOWARD. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



679 



ber, 1858. The father had afterward mar- 
ried ]Mrs. Hettie (Redman) Davis, who 
died in Da\is county, Iowa, in 1885. ^Ir. 
Howard was a Democrat in his pohtical 
views and was an exemplary member of the 
Masonic fraternity. He also belonged to 
the Baptist church in which he served as 
a trustee for a number of years. In the 
family of this worthy couple were four chil- 
dren : J. J.; Belle, the wife of Allen Baer, 
a resident of Cass county, Iowa; Thomas 
A., a prominent citizen of Fairmount. who 
is now serving as mayor; and Ellis, who 
died at the age of twenty-three years. 

J. J. Howard began his education in the 
public schools of Spottsylvania county, Vir- 
ginia, and afterward continued his studies 
at Pleasant Valley, having come with his 
parents to \'ermilion county when only 
twelve years of age. Later he was a stu- 
dent in Fairmount and thei: in the Battle 
Ground school of Indiana. He considered 
his school training completed at the age 
of twenty-one years, after which he assisted 
his father in the cultivation of liis farm 
until his marriage, which was celebrated 
the 4th of January, 1872, in Vance town- 
ship, the lady of his choice being Alice A. 
Gundei'. She was born in Madison coun- 
ty, Indiana, near Anderson, January 21, 
1852, and comes of a family of German 
lineage. Her father, Daniel Gunder, was 
a native of Lancaster, Ohio, and wedded 
Elizabeth Hugel, w-ho was born in INIadi- 
son county, Indiana, where their marriage 
occurred. There they located upon a farm, 
making it tlieir home until 1868, when they 
came to Illinois, settling in Vance town- 
ship, \'ermihon county. In 1893 the father 
retired from active business life and re- 
moved to Fairmount. where he spent his 
remaining days, his death occurring there 
in August, 1898. His wife passed away in 



October, of the same year. I\Ir. Gunder 
was a Democrat in his political affiliations 
and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his 
worth and ability, frequently called him to 
public office. He served for three terms as 
supervisor and held all of the township 
offices, including that of road commission- 
er, in which capacity he served for many 
years. He was a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, a deacon in the Baptist church 
and a man of exemplary life, honored and 
respected for his genuine worth and fidel- 
ity to principle. In the Gunder family were 
the following children : Jasper, who mar- 
ried Gertrude Maderius, a resident of In- 
dianapolis; Alice, the wife of our subject; 
Susie, wdio became tlie wife of Charles Bald- 
win and resided near Catlin, but both are 
now deceased; J. H., who married Nora 
Ewing, and is engaged in the grain busi- 
ness in Decatur, Illinois; S. H., who mar- 
ried Nettie Weax-er, and is living in Chi- 
cago; Jennie, who died in 1885, at the age 
of twenty-three years ; Mary, who mar- 
ried Peter Beyers, whose death occurred in 
1896, the widow being now a resident of^ 
Fairmount; and Julia, the w'ife of Frank 
Godwin, a resident of Decatur. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Howard has 
been blessed with three children : Belle, the 
wife of Charles Crow, who is engaged in 
the grain business at Fairmount ; Stella, at 
home; and Robert, who died in infancy. 
After his- marriage Mr. Howard located 
upon a farm in Vance township, purchas- 
ing eighty acres which he continued to oper- 
ate for twelve years. He then sold that 
property and bought the farm on which he 
is now living, having two hundred and sev- 
enty acres on section 5, Vance township. 
Upon his place he has made many excellent 
improvements and now has one of the best 
country seats of \'ermilion county. His 



680 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



handsome limne is nicely furnislied and ev- 
erything aljoiit the farm is neat in appear- 
ance and indicates tlie labor and direction 
of the prt)gressive owner. Mr. Howard 
votes v.ith the Democracy, and in 1902 he 
was elected supervisor of his township, in 
which position lie is now creditably serving. 
Fraternally he is connected with the Court 
of Honor, the Knights of the (ilobe, and the 
Knights of I'ytliias, and his religoius faith 
is indicated by his membership in the Bap- 
tist church, in which he is ser\-ing as a 
deacon. Energy and perseverance have 
been the means of bringing to him success 
and he is now numbei-ed among the sub- 
stantial and leading farmers of Vance town- 
ship. 



W. X. RE\'E.\L. 



W. X. Reveal is a leatling representa- 
tive of the business interests of Hoopeston, 
Illinois, being quite extensively engaged in 
real estate dealings. He was born in War- 
ren, Indiana, January 14, 1854, a son of 
George P. and Rebecca (Terrell) Reveal, 
both of wdioni were natives of Ohio. 
Throughout his active business life the fath- 
er was engaged in farming but is now re- 
tired in Glenwood, Iowa, enjoying a well 
earned rest and the fruits of his former 
toil. He was in the serx'ice of his country 
for three years during the Cix'il war but for- 
tunately was never wounded. I*"rom pri- 
vate he was promoted to post forage mas- 
ter and later to wagonmaster, holding the 
latter rank while with General Sherman on 
the mari-h to the sea. haxing charge of team- 
ing. His ]mrents came to this country from 
Spain, where the family name was spelled 
Re Veal. They settled in Ohio, where our 



subject's grandfather followed farming as 
a means of livelihood. Our suliject has two 
sisters living: I'edora, wife of James E. 
\'an Pelt of Glenwood. Iowa; and Ilattie, 
wife of George Tracy, of the same state. 

After completing his education in the 
public schools near his boyhood home \V. 
X. Reveal taught school for fourteen years 
or uiuil he had attained the age of thirtv- 
one, fue years of that time being principal 
of the schools of Mackinaw, Tazewell coun- 
ty. Illinois. From that place he came to 
Hoopeston in December, 1892, and has 
since been engaged in the real estate business 
here. Besides his own home on East Main 
street he owns eight other houses which he 
rents and from these deri\-es a ffood income, 
while his wife has a good farm of one hun- 
tlred acres in Tazewell county. On the 
8th of December, 1901, his office in the Mc- 
Ferren block was destroyed by lire, together 
with all furniture, fi.xtures, etc., but he now 
has a nice suite of rooms in the new Mc- 
Ferren building. He confines his attention 
to the sale and transfer of city and town 
property and is meeting with good success 
in his business ventures, being a man of 
known integrity and strictly reliable. 

In 1880 Mr. Reveal married Miss Em- 
ma \'iemont. who died on the 2d of August, 
1886, lea\ing one child, Vernon, now a resi- 
dent of Hoopeston, who was born in Taze- 
well county. Illinois, and married Pearl 
Lewis. Our subject was again married at 
Lilly, Illinois, in 1892, his second union be- 
ing with Miss M.ary Lindsey, who was born 
near that place and engaged in teaching 
school for about eight years prior to her 
marriage. l'>\' this marriage there is alscv 
one son, Ivan L. L. 

Mr. Reveal holds membership in the 
Christian church, and is also connected with 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



68 1 



the blue lodge chapter and council of the 
Masonic fraternity and the Camp of Mod- 
ern Woodmen of America. His political 
support is given the men and measures of 
the Republican party and he takes quite an 
active interest in public affairs. During his 
residence in Hoopeston, he served two years 
as tax collector, and is now serving his sixth 
year as justice of the peace. He is thor- 
oughly impartial in meting out justice, his 
opinions being unbiased by either fear or 
favor, and his fidelity to the trust reposed in 
him is above question. He is regarded as 
one of the leading and most highly respected 
citizens of Hoopeston. 



AUGUST FAULSTICK. 

August Faulstick, one of the leading 
grocery merchants on East Main street in 
Danville, has been a resident of this city 
since 1872 and his continuous activity in 
mercantile life has been the means of gain- 
ing for him the creditable position which 
he now occupies in trade circles. He was 
born in Germany, April 21, 1853, and is a 
son of Peter Faulstick, who spent his entire 
life in Germany and throughout his business 
career carried on agricultural pursuits. In 
the family were four children who came to 
America and settled in Danville, namely : 
August; Anton, who is engaged in the shoe 
business on North street ; Frank, who is a 
member of the firm of Bott & Faulstick; 
and Grace, the deceased wife of Joseph 
Fares, of Danville. 

In his native country August Faulstick 
acquired the greater part of his education, 
but attended school to a limited extent after 
coming to America. It was in an early day 



that he crossed the broad Atlantic to the 
new world and as soon as he landed he 
started across the country to Vermilion 
county, where he began work as a laborer 
for the Wabash Railroad Company. After 
being in that service for a short time he en- 
tered the employ of the Chicago & Eastern 
Illinois Railroad Company as foreman of 
the lumberyard and was afterward trans- 
ferred to the freight department as foreman 
of the repair work there. For nineteen 
years he continued in that position and his 
fidelity and close application won him the 
entire confidence and regartl of those whom 
he served. Throughout the nineteen years 
he lost only one week. At length with 
money he had" acquired through his own in- 
dustry and economy he embarked in busi- 
ness on his own account and established a 
grocery store at No. 621 East Main street. 
There he has a large and well selected stock 
of staple and fancy groceries and country 
produce and enjoys a good trade. He has 
the faculty of retaining the patronage of 
those whose custom he once secures, this 
being due to his honorable business method^ 
and earnest desire to please his customers. 

In Danville Mr. Faulstick was united in 
marriage to Miss Mary Foher, a native of 
Germany, and they became the parents of 
ten children: Joseph, now deceased; Toney; 
Annie, who assists her father in the store; 
Mary, August, Jr., Clara, Helen, Celia, Ger- 
trude and Victoria. 

In his political \'iews ^Ir. Faulstick is 
independent, voting for the men whom he 
thinks best adapted and qualified for office 
regardless of party affiliations. He belongs 
to the Catholic Order of Foresters, to the 
German Aid Society, to the Mechanics' La- 
bor Society, and he and his wife are com- 
municants of the German Catholic church of 



682 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Danville. Such in brief is his life history 
and those who read between the lines will 
gain recognition of the work of a self-made 
man, for when he arrived in Danville he not 
only possessed no capital, but had incurred 
an indebtedness of forty-live dollors. This, 
howe\er, was soon paid up, because he 
worked untiringly, his life having been one 
of earnest labor. As soon as possible he 
engao-ed in business for himself and to-day 
he is enjoying a large and well merited trade 
while in addition to his business he owns 
property here, his store and real estate being 
the visible evidence of his life of industry 
and thrift. 



.'=:. A. WATSON. 



S. A. Watson has gained a foremost 
position as a representative of the photog- 
rapher's art. his ability being recognized 
throughout the state on account of the ex- 
hibits which he has made. He is located 
in Danville, where he conducts an art studio. 

]\Tr. Watson was born in LaSalle coun- 
ty, Illinois, October 9, 1853. His father, 
Ira Watson, was a native of New York and 
with his parents took up his abode in La- 
Salle county. At the time of the discovery 
of gold in California he went to the Pacific 
slope in 18..J9 to seek for the precious metal 
in the mines of the far west. Subsequently 
he resided in Ottawa, Illinois, for several 
years and in 7863 liecame a resident of Dan- 
ville, where he entered into business as a 
coal merchant. I'or some time he conducted 
liis efforts along that line and eventually 
sold to A. C. Daniels. He then entered 
into the li\'e stock business, buying and 
shipping horses, mules and cattle. His 
death occurred in Cairo, Illinois, in 1872, 
and his widow, Mrs. Nancv A. Watson, a 



native of Parke county, Indiana, is still liv- 
ing and makes her home with her son, S. A. 
Watson. 

In the schools of Ottawa, Illinois, S. A, 
Watson began his education in 1B59, and 
for three years was a student in the old Red 
Seminary of Danville. He completed his 
common-school course in Cairo, Illinois, in 
1 87 1 and the following year was graduated 
in P.r\'ant & Stratton Business College, 
Removing from Cairo, he took up his abode 
in LaSalle county \\ flh his mother and two 
younger brothers in the spring of 1873 and 
was there employed as a stationary engineer 
and also at carpenter work for two years. 
On the expiration of that period he began 
the study of his present profession, iirst 
working at portraiture, crayons,, water col- 
ors and India ink ])ortraits. This was the 
initial step toward his connection with pho- 
tography. He entered into the latter busi- 
ness in 1875, following it continuously un- 
til 1878. at which time he embarked in an 
entirely new line, that of sketchiiig for 
county history- work and directory publish- 
ing. He followed the new pursuit, how- 
ever, for only two years, and then turned 
his attention to farming, buying a tract of 
land in LaSalle county. To its further de- 
velopment and inipro\'ement he devoted his 
energies for three years and then selling out 
he again entered the business of photog- 
raphy, which has since been his life work. 
He has remained in it almost continuously, 
having operated in Chicago, St. Louis, New 
York, Boston, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, 
Baltimore and many other large cities. He 
worked in these various places with a view 
of perfecting himself in his chosen calling 
and in July, 1889, he settled in Danville, 
where he has enjoyed an excellent patron- 
age, building up for himself a reputation 
that classes him with the leading artists of 




S. A. WATSON. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



685 



the country. He is a student of his pro- 
fession, always keeping informed concern- 
ing the advancement whicli is continually 
being made in the photographic art. He 
is not only a follower, but is also a leader, 
for he has improved upon methods already 
instituted and has done credita])le work that 
has attracted to him the attention of the 
entire profession in the country. He did all 
of the photographic work from which the 
portraits of this A-olume have been made 
and the high character of the work has 
given universal satisfaction. 

On the 28th of January, 1878, in Dan- 
ville, Illinois, Mr. Watson was. united in 
marriage to Miss ]\Iattie D. Rupert and 
they have two daughters and a son, Edna 
Alice, Flossy May and Walter J. Mr. Wat- 
son is a charter member of the Tribe of 
Ben Her of Danville and for fifteen years 
has been a member of the Knights of Pyth- 
ias fraternity. He was one of the organiz- 
ers and is the present secretary of the Ver- 
milion County Mutual Aid Society and he 
was at one time a member of the Jefifer- 
sonian Club of Washington, D. C. In poli- 
tics he is a Democrat and bi-metalist. His 
attention, however, is chiefly given to his 
profession and he is the official photog- 
rapher of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois 
Railroad Company of the Frisco system. 
He is likewise a contributor to many of the 
leading photographic journals of the coun- 
try and is connected with the leading pho- 
tographic societies of the United States. He 
has frequently been an exhibitor to the na- 
tional conventions and has secured diplomas 
.for excellence of work on six different ex- 
hibits. He has artistic taste and talent and 
while perfecting himself in the mechanical 
side of photography he has advanced far 
beyond this to a recognition of the possi- 



bilities of light and shadow which form the 
basic element of all beauty and excellence 
in his art. 



STEPHEN BROTHERS. 

Stephen Brothers, whose home is located 
on section i, Oakwood township, was born 
in Carroll county, Ohio, September 25, 
1829. His father, Levi Brothers, was born 
in the east, and after arriving at j^ears of 
maturity married Lydia Clark, a lady of 
Scotch descent. The}' becaiue the parents 
of eleven children, of wdiom our subject is 
the sixth in order of birth. Of the five now 
living Stephen is the eldest. The others 
are: Lydia Carson, of Ohio; Austin, Rich- 
ard and Fanny, all of wdiom are living ir 
Carroll county, where our subject was born 
and reared. Having spent the days of his 
boyhood and youth in his nati\'e state Steph- 
en Brothers came to Vermilion county, Illi- 
nois, in a covered wagon in the '50s, arriv- 
ing here in the spring of the year, having 
traveled through the black swamps of In- 
diana. His wagon was drawn by a team of 
horses, and it required about four weeks to 
make the trip. He was accompanied by his 
brother Joseph, who is now deceased, and he 
settled upon a tract of land which his father 
had entered, his first home being a log cabin. 
At once he began the cultivation of the land, 
making it a rich and productive tract. There 
were no fences for miles and the homes of 
the early settlers were wiflely scattered, 
much of the land being still in its primitive 
condition. There were many prairie wolves 
and deer were to be seen in large numbers. 
By trade Mr. Brothers is a blacksmith and 
in his early residence in this county he fol- 
lowed that pursuit to some extent. 



686 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



In May, 1858, occunctl tlie m:irriage of 
our subject and Miss Mary Hall, who was 
born in rutiiani county, Indiana, April 21. 
1840, a daujf liter of Marvin C. and Sa- 
plironia (Spear) Hall, who were natives of 
Vermont and became early settlers of In- 
diana. Mr. and Mrs. Brothers were mar- 
ried in Edj^ar county, Illinois, and after 
living there for a year renio\'etl to the old 
homestead in Vermilion county, two miles 
west of their present farm. After several 
years were there passed they took up their 
abode at the edge of the timber where Mr. 
Brothers conducted a blacksmith shop for 
a number of years. Later he spent four years 
in Nebraska, but it was during the grass- 
hopper rage, and, thinking it nut a gooc. 
place to earn a living he returned to Ver- 
milion county and took up his abode on sec- 
tion I, Oakwood township, where he has 
since lived. His business career was inter- 
rupted by his military service when in 1862 
he responded to his country's call for aid, 
enlisting in Comjjany I. One Hundred and 
Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, entering the 
service as a second lieutenant under the 
command of Captian Le\-in Vinson, .Adju- 
tant William Mann, Lieutenant Colonel 
Stanley and Colonel Harmon. He partici- 
pated in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, 
and in April, 1863, he resigned. Through- 
out the greater part of his life he has car- 
ried on both blacksmithing and farming and 
his labors have been attended with a well 
merited degree of success. He now owns 
one hundred and forty-six acres of valuable 
lanfl and from his farm derives a good in- 
come. 

Mrs. Brothers was one of a family of 
nine children, four of whom are now living: 
William Hall, a retired farmer of Nebraska; 
]\Irs. Harriet Demmick, of Terre Haute, 



Indiana; Joan, wife of John Edgington, of 
Edgar countv. Illinois; and .Mrs. iirothers. 
The last named by her marriage has become 
the mother of two children. Le\i. who 
married Emeline Smith, was born in Ed- 
gar comity. Illinois, and resides upon the 
home farm in X'ermilion county. Eilwin 
married Martha Olihy. and they have three 
children: (iertie. Dean and Mabel. Mr. 
Brothers votes with the Republican party, 
and he belongs to Morrison Post, G. .\. R., 
of Glenburn, while both he and his wife 
hold membership in the Pleasant Grove 
]\[etliodist Ejjiscopal church. 



BEXTAMIX 



STITKS. 



The name of Benjamin 1". Stites is en- 
rolled among those who have been active in 
business affairs in \'^ermilion county and 
who, through energy and industry, have 
contributed to jniblic progress and improve- 
ment. Called to his final rest in 1880, his 
memory is still enshrined in the hearts of 
those who knew him. He was born in Cin- 
cinnati. Ohio, July 20, 1833, a .son of Ben- 
jamin and Susan (Stewart) Stites, who in 
the spring of 1837 came to Vermilion coun- 
ty, Illinois, settling in Blount township, at 
Rickard Cijrners. The next year they re- 
moved to a place two miles south of Mycrs- 
ville, there living until 1857, when they 
went tf) Paxtoii, I'ord county, on the 6th 
of December, i860. In the winter of 1853-4 
Benjamin l-". Stites had left home, going 
to Paxton. where for one year he engaged in 
fanning, and in the second year. 1S33. he 
established a store on the prairie, selling 
goods there for eighteen months. In the 
fall of 1856 he disposed of his stock and re- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



687 



moved to Benton county, Arkansas, where 
he followed carpentering, milling and also 
farming, investing in six hundred acres o; 
land. Immediately after the presidential 
election of i860 he was forced to flee with 
his family to the north, escaping from the 
toils of the fire-eaters by strategy. He was 
forced, however, to abandon his property 
and lost all that he had invested while in the 
south. In 1 86 1 he embarked in the furni 
ture business in Paxton on a very small 
scale. After his return from Arkansas he 
went to Chicago and purchased the neces- 
sary equipments for again keeping house 
and found that he had about fifty dollars re- 
maining. This he in\-ested in a small line 
of furniture. At that time there was no 
furniture store nearer than Kankakee, and 
he began business in Paxton, his trade 
steadily increasing and making it necessary 
for him to add more and more to his stock. 
Being a cabinet-maker he also manufactured 
coffins for the neighborhood and he brought 
the first ready-made casket into Ford coun- 
ty. In the fall of 1871 he removed from 
Paxton to Hoopeston, where he followed 
carpentering for two years and then estab- 
lished a furniture and undertaking store, 
which he carried on continuously up to the 
time of his death. 

On June 15, 1859, Mr. Stites was united 
in marriage to Miss Martha A. Dunn, who 
was born in Clifton Springs, New York, a 
daughter of George and Angeline (Foster) 
Dunn. Her father was born in Ireland and 
when but a child came to America. Here 
he married INIiss Foster, a native of Roch- 
ester, New York. He was a cooper by 
trade and followed that pursuit at Clifton 
Springs and Scottsville, New York. In the 
winter of 1856-7 he came to the west look- 
ing for a location. While residing in Rock 



Island. Illinois, he enlisted for service in the 
Ci\-il war, becoming a member of the Fifty- 
first Illinois Infantry. He was taken pris- 
oner at the battle of Corinth and was ill at 
the time. He was then sent to Jefferson 
Barracks in St. Louis, where he died in 
September, 1862. His wife died in Chicago, 
while visiting a daughter there and attending 
the World's Fair. Mrs. Stites had four 
brothers who were also in the Civil war, 
and one of these, who was a member of 
Company F. Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, 
was also killed in battle. Mrs. Stites was 
eleven years of age when she removed from 
Clifton Springs to Scottsville, New York. 
She pursued her education in the LeRoy 
Seminary and the Collegiate Institute, a 
Baptist school, of Rochester, New York. 
She engaged in teaching in Monroe county, 
that state, for several terms and in 1857 
came to the west, taking up her abode in St. 
Louis. Missouri, where she remained 
throughout the winter with relatives. She 
then went to Arkansas in March, 1858, and 
while there became accjuainted with and 
married 'Sir. Stites. She was one of a fam- 
of twelve children, of whom ten are still 
living, namely : Charles, of Winona, Min- 
nesota ; Margaret, who is living in Detroit, 
Michigan: Henry, of Tuscola, Michigan; 
Frank, of Eldorado, Kansas; Minerva, of 
El Paso, Texas ; ^Minnie, of St. Louis ; 
Maria, whose home is in Santa Cruz, Cali- 
fornia ; Delos, who is a resident of Escon- 
dido, California; Mary, of Chicago; and 
]\Irs. Stites. 

Fourteen children were born to our sub- 
ject and his wife, and of these ten are yet 
living: Frances E., the wife of John Simp- 
son, of Rake, Iowa; Charles, who is living 
in Hoopeston: Benjamin, who wedded May 
Alissen, of Omaha, Nebraska ; William, 



688 



:he biographical record 



wlio is a machinist now living in Xicara- 
giia. Central America; Carrie Louise, the 
wife of William McKeever, of Ambia, In- 
diana; Samuel, who married Maude Men- 
agh, of Hoopeston; Susan, the wife of John 
Wagner, of Hoopeston ; Kate, who has 
served as city librarian of Hoopeston for 
four years; Martha A., the wife of Frank 
Wallace, a machinist of Hoopeston; and 
Clara Maria, who is teaching school. Mrs. 
Stites also has eleven grandchildren. 

In his political affiliations ]\Ir. Stites was 
a Democrat and (jreenbacker. For thirty 
years he held membership in the Indepen- 
dent Order of Odd Fellows, was one of its 
exemplary representatives. He also be- 
longed to the Universalist church and was 
a man of upright life, loyal to every trust 
reposed in him. He continued his furniture 
business in Hoopeston until his death, 
which occurred October 21. 1889. At that 
time 'Sirs. Stites assmncd the management 
of the business, which she conducted for 
thirteen years. She paid off the seven 
hundred dollars indebtedness upon the store 
and successfully carried on the enterprise, 
■enlarging her stock to meet the growing 
demands of the trade until 1901, when she 
sold out to the firm of Parker & Scott. She 
took a course in embalming and conducted 
an imdertaking business, carrying a stock 
worth about twenty-five hundred dollars. 
She also purchased a hearse and her under- 
taking establishment received a liberal and 
well merited patronage. Mrs. Stites en- 
gaged in teaching a select school in Hoope- 
ston before a public school was organized 
here. She is a member of the Order of Re- 
bekahs, the Order of the Eastern Star, and 
of the Womens' Relief Corps. She now 
owns several tenement houses which she 
rents, and her own beautiful home on North 



Market street, which was built in 1902. A 
lady of culture and refinement she also pos- 
sesses marked executive force and business 
ability and deser\es great credit for what 
he has accomplished, since her huband's de- 
mise. In social circles she occupies an en- 
viable position and has a wide acquaintance 
in Floopeston and throughout Vermilion 
county. 



JA]\IES G. PAYTOX. 

James G. Payton, who is filling the office 
of justice of the peace in Danville and is 
a conscientious and careful officer, was born 
in Clinton county. Ohio, September 30, 
1S32, his parents being Valentine and Mary 
(Morgan) Payton. Both the Payton and 
IMorgan families came originally from Vir- 
ginia, having lived in the locality known as 
Apple Pie Ridge. In the maternal line the 
family was related to General John Mor- 
gan, the noted Rebel leader. Mrs. Martlia 
Morgan, the grandmother of Mrs. Payton, 
the mother of our subject, is the only one 
of the famil\- that Judge Payton has known, 
and she died in Wilmington, Ohio, at an 
advanced age. The father of our subject, 
on coming to Illinois, settled first near j\Iun- 
cie, in 1840. He was a shoemaker by trade 
and in coniiection with tliat pursuit he gave 
considerable time to farming, making a 
specialty of the rasing of corn. When the 
farm work was over for the season he and 
his sons would spend their time in the man- 
ufacture of boots and shoes in the little shop 
which they conducted. For several years 
(luring the early development of the state, 
when there was little market for farm pro- 
ducts, they sold their corn at eight and ten 
cents per bushel. \Vhen a boy Mr. Payton 




MRS. JAMES G. PAYTON. 




JAMES G. PAYTON. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



695 



had been bound out as an apprentice to 
learn the shoemaker's trade and whatever 
success he acliieved in hfe was due entirely 
to his own efforts. In his political views 
he was a Whig. His wife died in 1850 
and he passed away in 1873. In their fam- 
ily were ten children, of wh(_)m those living 
are; John M., Zephaniah C, James G. and 
Asa H. Those who have passed away are : 
Martha, who was the wife of Allen Cass ; 
Deborah, the wife of Isaac V. Shepherd; 
Robert: William M. ; Joseph M. ; and 
Isaac yi. 

In taking up the personal history of 
James G. Pay ton we record the life work 
of one who is actively and favorably known 
in Danville and the surrounding districts. 
He gained his education in the schools near 
his boyhood home, for he had come to Illi- 
nois with his parents when about seven 
years of age. Later he continued his stud- 
ies in the schools of Dan\-ille and through 
the period of his youth he worked in his 
father's shoeshop and also in the cornfields, 
turning the furrows in many a field in the 
early spring-time. When twenty-five years 
of age he started out in life for himself, 
leaving the parental roof at that time. For 
three years he worked in teaching school 
and then began farming on his own ac- 
count. 

Mr. Payton completed his arrange- 
ments for a home of his own by his mar- 
riage about this time. On the 27th of No- 
vember, 1855, he wedded Catherine Dea- 
kin, a daughter of William and Nancy Dea- 
kin, of Muncie, Illinois. Her father was 
a farmer who had come to this state from 
Ohio. Her brothers and sisters are: Will- 
iam, who died in Nashville, Tennessee; 
Elizabeth and Emeline, also deceased. The 
latter was the wife of Zephaniah C. Payton 
and died in the Indian Territory, in 1901. 



Unto the marriage of our subject and his 
wife, have been born four children : Theo- 
dore T. is the only one who survives. Those 
who have departed this life are Emma, who 
was the wife of P. L. Zarbo; John; and 
Alwilda. Theodore T. married Kitty Hall, 
and they have four children : James Ray- 
mond, Royce Archer, Robert B. and 
Ruth S. 

After his marriage Air. Payton carried 
on farming until the 3d of September, 1862, 
when, influenced by a patriotic spirit he 
offered his services to the L'nion and en- 
listed as a member of Company C, One 
Hundred and Twenty-fifth Regiment of 
Illinois Infantry, serving as a private for 
three years or until after the close of the 
war in 1865. He participated in numerous 
engagements, among the most important 
being at Perryville, J^Iurfreesboro, Lookout 
Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro. At Ben- 
tonville. North Carolina, he was wounded 
by a thorn which was thrust into his leg 
and for six weeks he lay in the hospital. 
He returned to Illinois, and coming to Fair- 
mount he was appointed deputy sheriff un- , 
der his brother, Joseph M. Payton, serving 
in that office for two years. He next went 
to Springfield, Missouri, where he engaged 
in working in a lumber yard for eight years 
and subsequently spent a short time in Kan- 
sas. On the expiration of that period he 
returned to Danville, where he conducted a 
farm for two years. His next place of resi- 
dence was at Hamilton, Ohio, but within 
a short period he removed from there to 
Fort W^ayne, Indiana, and then again came 
to Danville, where he entered the employ 
of the firm of Payton, Palmer & Company, 
wholesale grocers. In 1893, however, he 
was called from business life to political 
office, being elected constable, and in 1897 
was elected justice of the peace, his present 



694 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



term continuing until IMay, 1905. ]Ie is 
the president of the One Hundred and 
Twenty-fifth Reunion and is commander 
of Kenesaw Post, G. A. R., being thus 
honored by liis fellow comrades of the Civil 
war. The fulfillment of his dtity to his 
country in times of peril and to his com- 
munity in times of peace and prosperity has 
been the chief and high aim permeating the 
life of James G. Payton, and to this class 
of honored citizens is due the substantial 
develo])ment and growth of this great coun- 
try, making it to-day foremost among na- 
tions. 



DAXIEL BRE\\'ER. 

The jirosperity of Vermilion county has 
been assured and continuous from the time 
of its early settlement by the l)rave and sturdy 
pioneers who have here made their homes, 
clown to the present, when its well tilled 
fields and fine grades of stock may be seen 
on e\ery side. From the early development of 
this county Daniel Brewer has taken an im- 
portant part, as did also his father, Richard 
Brewer, who came here from Ohio, locating 
in Vermilion county when all was wild and 
unimi)roved, awaiting the work of the white 
man to develop its rich and productive soil. 
Daniel Brewer was born on the 5th of De- 
cember, 1832, four miles northeast of Dan- 
ville, in Vermilion county. He is a son of 
Richard and Christina (Roderick) Brewer, 
both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, 
but were reared and married in Ohio, having 
been taken by their parents to the Buckeye 
state when they were children. Richard 
Brewer was a son of John Brewer, who 
came from Holland to Pennsylvania and 
later to Ohio. The Roderick familv came 



from Germany antl settled in Pamsylvania 
and later, as has been stated, in Ohio. 
Richard Brewer was a man six feet tall and 
weighed two hundred and five pounds. His 
brothers were all large men, weighing over 
two hundred pounds. During his active 
business career he engaged in farming and 
also worked at the shoemaker's trade. Af- 
ter his marriage he removed to Lafayette, 
Indiana, and later to Danville, Illinois, lo- 
cating on a farm where he and his good 
wife spent their remaining days. He was a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
taking an active interest in its welfare and 
holding se\eral offices therein. He served 
as class leader for many years and was a 
good, consistent Christian man. In politics 
he was an old line Whig. Although a man of 
influence in bis community he refused office. 
He died l-'cbruary 21. 1849. at the age of 
fifty-eight years and six months, and his 
wife passed away in 1871, at the age of 
seventy-nine years. They were the parents 
of nine children, six boys and three girls, 
all of whom grew to years of maturity. 
Millie became the wife of Simeon Lamb and 
they resided near Danxillc, but both are 
now deceased. Mashec, now deceased, re- 
sided in Marion county, Illinois. Charles 
was a resident of Douglas county, but is now 
deceased. Benjamin, also deceased, resided 
on the old homestead farm. John resided 
in Onarga, Illinois, but has now passed 
away. Sarah became the wife of Thomas 
Elder and resided near Danville. Illinois, but 
both arc now deceased. Rev. David resided 
at Woodland, Illinois, and has also passed 
away. Mary is the wife of Henry Martin 
ruid resides in Saline county, Kansas. Dan- 
iel is the youngest of the family. He spent 
his boyhood days on the farm attending 
school near Danville in what was known as 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



695 



the Lamb district school, a hewed log school- 
house, with slab seats and table, and an old 
fashioned fireplace. He had but limited op- 
portunities of acquiring an education, yet 
he managed to become well informed and 
taught school at an early age. He then 
worked on the home farm, assisting his 
mother. She died in 1871. 

On May 4, 1851, Mr. Brewer was united 
in marriage to Miss Mariah Cunningham, 
who was born in Clinton county, Indiana. 
October 22, 1832, and is a daughter of 
Nicholas and Matilda (Lackey) Cunning- 
ham, both of whom were born in Ohio and 
were there married. Later they removed to 
Vermilion county, Illinois, where they re- 
mained until his death, which occurred in 
1848. Mrs. Cunningham then became the 
wife of Samuel Roderick, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, who came to Ohio when he was 
about nine years of age. He had been pre- 
viously married and had six children by his 
first wife. He was a member of the J^Iethod- 
ist Episcopal church and in politics was an 
old line Whig. His death occurred in 
1872. Mrs. Brewer was the oldest of a fam- 
ily of eight children by the first marriage 
of her mother. Five of these children still 
survive. The others living are : James, a 
resident of Danville ; Eliza, a resident of 
Nebraska and the widow of Rev. Joshua 
Wooley; Ann, a resident of Vermilion 
county and the widow of Martin Watson ; 
and Nicholas, who resides in Danville. By 
the second marriage of Mrs. Brewer's 
mother there were born two children, but 
only one, George, of Vermilion county, sur- 
vives. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brewer 
was blessed with eight children, but only 
three are now living. Jennie is the wife of 
James Villiars and resides twenty-five miles 



east of Lafayette, Indiana, Martha, the 
the widow of George Villiars, has five chil- 
dren and resides with her father. Cyrus 
Rinaldo resides twenty-five miles east of 
Lafayette, Indiana, and has one child. 

Mr. Brewer sold the farm he had pre- 
viously owned and purchased the farm upon 
which he now lives, consisting of one hvm- 
dred acres on section 30, in Jamaica town- 
ship. He also bought an additional ninety- 
seven acres which he gave to his son Cyrus 
R. He has always been an active and en- 
ergetic man, and has carried on general 
farming with good success. He raises high 
grades of stock and selling them in the mar- 
ket receives a good annual income there- 
from. His sliort-horn and Jersey cattle are 
well known in the county and bring a high 
price. His horses are very fine in breed and 
he raises quite a number of these. He is a 
devoted member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal church and taught in the Sunday-school 
for twenty years. For twenty years also 
he has acted as school director, although 
he did not desire the office. A Republican 
in his political view's he has positively re- 
fused to accept office, although he strongly * 
endorses the principles of the party and 
gives it his support. He is a genial, kindly 
old gentleman, whom it is a privilege as 
well as a pleasure to meet and converse with. 
During his residence in this county he has 
witnessed a great transformation. He at 
one time cradled wheat upon the land where 
Danville now stands and the settlers lived 
in round poled cabins whose logs were 
daubed with mud. His sister Mary was 
born in a house of this description in Dan- 
ville township. There were no railroads 
and the land on the site of the present city 
of Danville w-as worth fifteen dollars per 
acre. The town was at that time about the 



696 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



size of Fairmount, Illinois. Their trading 
Avas done partly at Covington, Indiana, but 
mainly at Chicago, Illinois. His father 
bought leather in Chicago and hauled it in 
wagons. Calico was a precious article, 
worth twenty-five cents per yard. The 
women wore dresses to church made of this 
fabric and were delighted to get them. They 
also had hand looms with which they spun 
Jlax and wove flannels and fancy dress 
goods. Wheat was worth fifty cents per 
bushel and corn was worth from ten to twen- 
ty cents per bushel. \\'hen the canal was built 
at Covington the price of corn went up to 
twenty-five cents per bushel. Mr. Brewer 
has bought and sold good cows lor ten dol- 
lars each. The courthouse of Danville was 
built over se\enty years ago, a1x)ut the time 
Mr. Brewer was born. Mr. Brewer has 
been an interested spectator in the great 
changes which have taken place in the coun- 
ty during the past half century. He has 
seen the towns and villages spring up and 
develop into thriving and progressive cities, 
and in all the improvement he has borne his 
full share. To such men as Mr. Brewer 
Vermilion county is to-day indebted for her 
present prosperity. 



JOTHAM LYON. 

The .-igricultural interests of \'ermilion 
county are well represented by Jotham 
Lyon, who follows farming in Georgetown 
township, his home being on section 25. 
He is also well known as a raiser of fine 
shorthorn cattle, and in this regard be has 
done much for the coninuuiity, for he who 
introduces fine stock into a locality is in- 
strumental in bringing up the prices for 



stock and thus all are indirectly aided by 
his efforts. 

]\Ir. Lyon is numbered among the na- 
tive sons of this township, for here he was 
born September 25, 1832. He comes of an 
old New England family. His father 
Jotham Lyon, was born either in Massa- 
chusetts or Connecticut and in early life 
A\cnt lit Ohio, where he was reared. In that 
state he was united in marriage to ?*Iiss 
Mary Harrington, whose birth occurred in 
Hamilton county, Ohio. They left that 
state, emigrating westward and cast in 
their lot \\ ith the early settlers of Vermilion 
county, Illinois. From the government 
]Mr. Lyon entereil a tract of land in George- 
town township near where the subject of 
this review is now living and was the first 
settler in that locality. From that time for- 
ward he took an acti\e and helpful part in 
the work of general progress and improve- 
ment and at the same time carefully con- 
ducted his private business .interests. He 
was made highway commissioner soon af- 
ter his arrival and assisted in laying out 
the various roads in the township. In other 
w;ivs, too. he carried forward the work of 
improvement in |)ioneer days, helping lay the 
foundation for the present prosperity of 
this section of Illinois, He carried on farm- 
ing upon the home place until his death, 
which occurred in 1841, when he was yet 
in the jMime of life. His widow, however, 
long survived him, passing away in 1888. 
Of their f.imily of seven children only our 
subject is now living. Of the first marriage 
Masse, who is the widow of Slc])hen Looni- 
er, resides with her children in Minnesota. 

Like the other members of the family 
jotham Lyon was educated in the common 
schools, such as were found upon the prai- 
ries of Illinois in pioneer times. His train- 




JOTHAM LYON. 




MRS. JOTHAM LYON. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



701 



ing at farm lalxir was not meager for as 
soon as old enougli to handle the plow he 
began work in the fields and assisted in the 
operation of the home place until his mar- 
riage. That important event in his life oc- 
curred in 1858, when Miss Sarah Worth, 
a native of Wisconsin, became his wife. 
She was the third white child born in the 
vicinity of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her 
father, William Worth, had settled in that 
state at a very early day, taking a claim 
near Milwaukee, where he developed a good 
farm. He is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. 
Lyon became the parents of six children : 
Mary, the wife of John Boggess, a promi- 
nent famier of Georgetown township; Will- 
iam, who is living with his father and as- 
sists in carrying on the home farm ; Datus, 
who is also residing in Georgetown to\\'n- 
ship; Emma, who was a twin of Datus, 
and died at the age of two years ; Noah, an 
agriculturist of the same township; Elmer, 
who married Ada Ward and resides upon 
the old homestead. 

After his marriage Mr. Lyon removed 
to Wisconsin, where he remained for one 
year and then returned to Vermilion coun- 
ty, settling on his present farm on section 
25, Georgetown township, where he now 
owns one hundred and fifty-two acres of 
valual)le land, splendidly adapted to the 
culti\ation of grain. All of the improve- 
ments upon his place stand as monuments 
to his thrift and industry. He and his sons 
cut the timber, hauled it to the sawmill, 
where it was converted into lumber and 
then erected the barn. Mr. Lyon here also 
owns another farm of seventy acres in the 
same township, and in connection with his 
two sons he is successfully carrying on gen- 
eral agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, 
making a scpecialty of'the raising of short- 
horn cattle. He has also gained a wide 

28 



repittation as a horticulturist and very fine 
fruit is found upon his place. Whatever 
he undertakes he carries forward to suc- 
cessful completion and in the various 
branches of his business he has met with 
success, being progressive in his methods 
and indefatigable in his work. Mr. Lyon 
has been called upon to serve in several lo- 
cal official positions and in his political 
views he has always been a Republican. He 
represents one of the old and prominent 
families of the county and has many relics 
of pioneer days, among which is a deed 
given to his father when he secured gov- 
ernment land in this township, the paper 
bearing the date of July 27, 1824, and 
signed b}' President James Monroe. In his 
later years Mr. Lyon has been largely re- 
lieved of the more arduous work of the farm 
by his two sons and he well deserves rest 
from labor. For seventy years he has lived 
in Vermilion county with the exception of 
a brief interval spent in Wisconsin and 
therefore the history of pioneer develop- 
ment and of later-day progress is a story 
well known to the subject of this review. 



MILTON M. McNeill. 

Prominent among the successful busi- 
ness men of Danville is numbered the sub- 
ject of this sketch, who is a dealer in hard 
wood lumber. He is a native of Indiana, 
born in Perrysville, December 24, 1845, and 
is a son of George H. and Reljecca K. 
(Beers) McNeill, who were natives of 
Maryland and Ohio, respectively. In early 
life the father followed surveying for many 
years, and later opened a drug store in Per- 
rysville, Indiana, which he carried on until 
his death, which occurred September g, 
1892. He was a well read man and very 



702 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



popular, his advice being often sought. 
Since his death the Inisiness which he estab- 
Hshed lias been carried on by liis son, \V. 
K. McNeill, it being now sixty years since 
the store was opaied. 

During his boyhood Milton M. McNeill 
attended the graded schools of his native 
place and subsequently was a student at 
Asbiu-y University, (ireencastle, Indiana, 
for two years. With the intention of be- 
coming a druggist, he made a special study 
of pharmacy and chemistry, and after leav- 
ing school entered upon his business career 
along that line in his father's store at Per- 
rysville, but on his removal to Danville, 
Illinois, in 1880, he embarked in the lumljer 
business, making a specialty of house furn- 
ishing and cabinet lumber, such as walnut, 
ash, etc., handling hard woods exclusively. 
He enjoys a good trade and is accounted 
one of the leading business men of his 
adopted city, with whose interests he has 
now been identified twenty -three years. 

Mr. McNeill married Miss Ruhamah R. 
Bell, a daughter of William M. Bell, of Per- 
rysville, Indiana, who was one of the leading 
merchants of the Wabash valley. By this 
union the following children have been 
born : George W., who is now a member 
of the Danville Wholesale Cirocery Com- 
pany; Mary L., the wife of James R. Mar- 
tin, of Attica, Indiana; Rebecca B., the wife 
of Frank Hannum, of Dan\ille; Ruhamah 
R., wife of Prank D. Bushnell, of Sidell, 
Illinois; and Helen M. and Nadyne Vera, 
at home. The family residence is one of the 
most attractive homes on North W^alnut 
street, being tastefully furnished and sur- 
rounded by a beautiful lawn, but Mr. and 
Mrs. McNeill now spend a great portion of 
their time in Texas on account of the hit- 
ter's health. 



Mr. McNeill is a prominent Odd Fellow 
and has passed through all the chairs in 
that lodge. Of excellent business ability 
and broad resources he has attained to an 
enviable position among the substantial 
men of Danville antl is recognized as a 
leatler in commercial circles. He has won 
success by his well directed, energetic ef- 
forts, and the prosperity that has come to 
him is certainlv well deserved. 



THOMAS OAKW^OOD. 

Thomas Oakwood is a prominent farmer 
and a native son of \'ermilion county, hav- 
ing been born April 25, 1858, on the farm 
he now occupies. He is a son of Henry 
J. Oakwood, for whom the township of 
Oakwood was named. His mother was 
Priscilla (Sailor) Oakwood, a native of 
Logan county. They were married in Ver- 
milion county, Illinois. Henry J. Oakwood 
was born in Brown county, Ohio, March 7, 
1819, and came overland to this county in 
1833 and was a very prominent man in the 
township which was named for him. His 
father, too, had settled in Vermilion county 
at an early date, and thus the Oakwood 
family has become associated with the his- 
tory of the county, Henry J. Oakwood 
was supervisor of the county for several 
years and during his time the courthouse at 
Danville was built. His name is engraved 
on the corner-stone of that building and 
when he first came to the township five hun- 
dred Indians were encamped here. He 
died January 5, 1901, His widow is living 
on the old home place with her son Charles 
in O.-ikwood township. Mr. Oakwood was 
a member of the Independent Order of Odd 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



703 



Fellows. To Henry J. Oakwood and his wife 
were born eight children, of whom the fol- 
lowing are living : William, a farmer of 
Oakwood township; Thomas; Harvey and 
Charles, who follow farming in Oakwood 
township. 

Thomas Oakwood received his educa- 
tion in the district schools and was early 
trained to farm work by his father. During 
the seasons of vacation he helped to till the 
fields and they in turn brought forth abund- 
ant harvests. He has seen the prairies all 
around converted into productive farms 
which are now the possessions of a happy 
and contented people. When his father set- 
tled in Oakwood township it gave little 
promise of the brilliant future which was 
before it, but he, with other public-spirited 
men, united in their efiforts to develop and 
improve the township and that their efforts 
were highly successful is indicated by the 
prosperity which is seen on every hand. At 
the age of nineteen Thomas Oakwood left 
school. After this he continued to work on 
the home farm which was the place of his 
birth. He now owns one hundred and thirty 
acres of land on section 19, Oakwood town- 
ship. Here he raises a high grade of stock 
in connection with his other farming inter- 
ests. He has acquired a comfortable com- 
petence through his energy and thrift and 
to-day is one of the substantial business men 
of his community. 

Mr. Oakwood was united in marriage on 
the 9th of September, 1882, to Miss Mariet- 
ta I.ongstreet, who was born in Vermilion 
county, May ir, 1861. She is a daughter 
of Benjamin Longstreet, whose first wife 
was Jane (Lee) Longstreet, a native of 
Champaign county, Illinois. They' were 
married in Champaign county, where she af- 
terward died; Benjamin' Longstreet was a 



native of Warren county, Ohio, and was a 
son of George F. Longstreet, a native of 
Ohio, and of English origin. After the 
death of his wife Mr. Benjamin Longstreet 
removed to Vermilion county, Illinois, and 
here entered one-half a section of land. 
About this time he was married to Elizabeth 
(Board) Foland, of Fountain county, In- 
diana. By a previous marriage she had one 
child, Mrs. Rena Fulton, who now resides 
in Danville. After residing in another por- 
tion of Vermilion county for nine years Mr. 
Longstreet removed to Oakwood township, 
where he resided for ten years. About the 
year 1 847 he removed to the village of Oak- 
wood and there lived retired until his death, 
which occurred April 5, 1889. His second 
wife died June 30, 1883. He had held all 
of the township offices, including that of 
justice of the peace, in which capacity he 
served for a number of years. In his 
political views he was a Republican. By 
his first union one child was born, but is now 
deceased. By the second marriage were 
born nine children, seven of whom are now 
living: Anna is the wife of William Oak- 
wood, a brother of Thomas, and resides 
north of Oakwood, Illinois. They have six 
children. Marietta is the wife of our sub- 
ject. Belle is the wife of Richard Seymour. 
She has two children and resides near 
Oakwood. Newton, the fourth member of 
the family, married Maggie Sampson. He 
has two children and resides near Oakwood. 
Dora is the wife of Frank Clark. They 
have two children and reside in West 
Lebanon, Indiana. Katie is the wife of 
Otis P. Hayworth, has three children and 
resides in Fairmount, Illinois. S. B. re- 
sides in Oakwood, Illinois, and is a pro- 
fessor in the -public schools of Indiana. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Oakwood have been 



704 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



bom six children: Oscar L., born 2^1arch 
2j, 1883; Edgar V., born July 16, 1887; 
Henry \'.. born October 4, 1889; Xina 
Belle, l)orn March 20, 1892; Ruby Edith, 
born February 18. 1897; and Hubert, born 
August 12, 1894. and who died March 14. 
1895. Mr. Oakwood is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church in which he is 
trustee and steward. He takes a deep inter- 
est in church work. He is also a member 
of the Modern Woodmen of America, and 
in politics is a stanch Republican, but has 
never sought office. He is a man of sterl- 
ing character who enjoys the confidence and 
respect of his friends and acquaintances by 
reason of his genuine worth. 



GEORGE WHEELER JONES. 

George Wheeler Jones was born at 
Bath, Steuben county. New York, Febru- 
ary 4, 1839, t'l^ oldest son of Dr. John 
Sproson Jones and Charlotte Wheeler, his 
wife. The family removed to Covington, 
Indiana, in 1X46. His early life was spent 
in laying the foundation of a good educa- 
tion, as he was a most ambitious student. 
He was a devoted son and the tie between 
him and his mother was unusually close. 
He attended Wabash College and later 
made a choice of the medical profession, 
studying for a while under his father. La- 
ter he studied in Chicago under Dr. NA'ill- 
iam H. Byford, graduating from what was 
then the medical department of Lind L'ni- 
versity, now the Chicago Medical College 
of the Northwestern University. 

He commenced the practice of medicine 
in Terre Haute. Indiana, but soon enlisted 
as a volunteer surgeon for three months, 
later re-enlisting for three years, serving as 



assistant surgeon of the Sixty-third Indi- 
ana Volunteers. In 1865 he was married 
to Miss Emelyn K. Enos of Indianapolis 
and located at Dan\ille, Illinois. Here he 
commenced again the practice of medicine 
also, l)eing associated with his brother, 
James Sanger Jones, in a drug store at the 
northeast corner of Main and Hazel streets, 
under the name of Jones Borthers. The 
brother. James, a gay-hearted, fun-loving 
young fellow, endeared to every one who 
fell under the inHuence of his merrv' ways 
and kind heart, died suddenly October 26, 
1872, and after three years the drug store 
was sold, leaving Dr. Jones to devote his 
entire time to the practice of his beloved 
profession, h'or twenty-nine years his busy 
life continued in Danville and his lalx)r was 
unremitting in the cause of healing. One 
of his friends bore testimony to his faith- 
fulness when he said : 

"His parents gave him pure blood, and 
nature gave him a Grant-like frame, four 
square and solid as a tower, an iron con- 
stitution, a large, clear, active brain, a 
warm, loving, hopeful heart. He was my 
family physician and very intimate friend 
for over twentv years. I knew him from 
the heart out. Often has he carrietl my sick 
children on his bosom about the rooms, say- 
ing, "I can do more for a child when it 
knows me and is not afraid.' He has done 
the same with your children. How ten- 
derly he watched and nursed our sick. How 
he toiled to know what was Ijest for them. 
For almost twenty years I passed his office 
late at night from my own work. Yet, 
howe\er late, his lamj) was burning : his 
patients were in his heart; no day of toil 
was s<i hard as to keep him from studying; 
for their healing he must know the best 
and latest wisdom of the medical world. Jt 
seems that he ne\er slept, that he was al- 




MRS. CHARLOTTE JONES 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



709 



ways at work with his patients, his medi- 
cines and books." In the autumn of 1894 
prostration from overwork compeUed him 
to take the first vacation he had ever known. 
In company with a friend he went to the 
Bermudas in December, intending to return 
in the spring and resume the practice of 
medicine in Danville. The trip was a de- 
lightful one and for three weeks he enjoyed 
the change with every appearance of re- 
turning health, but on Sunday, January 6, 
1895, he died suddenly at the Princess 
Hotel, Hamilton, Bermuda, of collapse of 
the heart. His body was brought to Dan- 
ville two weeks later and buried in Spring 
Hill cemetery, followed by a long line of 
weeping mourners, for he had many loving 
friends. 

In his profession he was held in high 
esteem, receiving many honors at the hands 
of his professional brethren. He was a 
prolific writer, contributing many articles 
to the current medical magazines, and to 
the various medical socities. He was a 
the various medical societies. He was a mem- 
ber and regular attendant of the American 
Medical Association, the Tri-State Medical 
Society and was at one time president of 
the Illinois State Medical Society. He was 
also honored by an invitation to contribute 
a paper to the Ninth International Medical 
Congress, which convened in Washington, 
D. C, in 1887. Politically he was a stanch 
Republican. He led a life of purity and 
strict integrity, with brain and hands busy 
with incessant cares, loyal to friends, grate- 
ful for friendship, true to the principles of 
his religion. He was a man of literary 
taste and knowledge, taking time in his busy 
life, to investigate the best the world 
brought him. He was a man of great cour- 
age, unyielding convictions, and tireless 
energy, in his beloved profession of medi- 



cine. To the cry of the afflicted his ear was 
ever open, his skillful eye and hand ever 
ready to relieve; and the poor and needy 
found in him a helper. No labor was too 
arduous, no detail too trivial, no sacrifice 
too great for him when life and death hung 
in the balance, and his reward was sufficient 
in the consciousness of dutv done. 



MRS. CHARLOTTE JONES. 

Mrs. Charlotte Jones was born ^larch 
29, in the yeari8i4. in the town of Bath, 
Steuben county, in the state of New York. 
In the year 1805, her grandfather, Jeremiah 
Wheeler, left New Hampshire with his wife, 
his four sons, his daughters and his neigh- 
bors, and journeyed westward in the old 
patriarchal fashion, the women and children 
riding, the men driving flocks and herds, 
looking for a good well-watered country, 
wdiich they found on the banks of the beau- 
tiful Cohocton river. There he entered 
land ceded a few years before by the Sen- 
eca Indians and settled his children about 
him. The story of that journey, the dread 
of passing through "the Narrows," the safe 
accomplishment, the choice of location and 
the final settlement has been told and retold 
to the children for a hundred years : and 
to some of them it is as vivid today as on 
its first recital. 

In this group of pioneers, George 
Wheeler, the oldest son, was a strong fig- 
ure. He had married Gratia Stearns back 
in \'ermont, and with her and their two chil- 
dren had accompanied his father, and in 
that new country the sturdy, industrious. 
God-fearing man and his wife set up their 
altar, and went to work to make a home and 
rear a familv. How well tiiev succe^tled is 



710 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



establislied by the testimony of this dear 
daughter, Charlotte, who, all through the 
long years of her life, kept bright to her 
children the happy childhood and maiden- 
hood spent under that roof, in the compan- 
ionship of a large family and in the neigh- 
borhood of uncles, aunts and cousins, dwell- 
ing in the comninnity of interests and the 
interdependence tliat stamp the pioneer 
life . Here the little maid learned the 
thrift, the industry, the carefulness, the 
love i)f order, the self-reliance, that 
molded her character. Jn the little school- 
In )use across the road from home was 
laid, by the painstaking, conscientious 
teacher of tliose early days, the foundation 
of the education that broadened and 
\videned with her life; from the Old English 
Reader her mind was stored with never- 
forgotten, high, noble thoughts and there 
she learned the clean, pure English that al- 
ways distinguished her conversation from 
the careless talk of the day. With this 
training came the eager thirst for knowl- 
edge that never left her and that inspired 
her to the constant reading of the best books 
and the keen interest in the world's move- 
ments in exploration and advancement. ]n 
this little school, she was the best speller, 
the most ambitious scholar and the leader 
in the games and excitements of childhood. 
With brothers and cousins she hunted for 
goosequills for pens, gathered eggs, picked 
berries, helped with the "sugaring off" and 
played in the ne\er failing clear waters of 
the little crock that ran at the foot of the 
slope behind the house. The father's house 
was always the home and haven of the min- 
isters riding their wide, lonely circuits; and, 
in ministering to their wants and listening 
to the conversation, taking part in the 
hvmns and devotions, the child's soul was 
early led in ways of peace and thanksgiv- 



ing. Here she learned to "look well to the 
ways of the household," helping in all kinds 
of womanly work — C(X)king, spinning, 
weaving, dyeing, picking geese, making 
butter and cheese — taking wholesome pride 
in work well done, in being the best worker, 
doing the day's "stent" in the shortest time, 
producing the l>est results, loving the work 
fur the work's sake. And the singing 
schools, the sleigh rides, the active, gay 
young company, the enduring friendships, 
the father's tender love, the quiet mother's 
example — what a rich furnishing they made 
for her after life, her children know. 

When she was twenty-three years old 
she married John Sproson Jones, a young 
physician and began with him the life of 
self-denial and hardship that falls to the lot 
of a country doctor struggling for a foot- 
hold. After a numl)er of changes, with 
\arying fortunes, in 1846, she moved with 
him and her three little boys to Covington, 
Indiana, then a new country, differing in 
climate, people and ways of living from 
New York and her beloved home. She be- 
gan the new life in homesickness and weari- 
ness of spirit, under circumstances that 
called out all the strength of her character, 
tried her soul and purified her nature. Her 
sweetness of heart, her courage, her lofty 
endeavor W(_)n her faithful friends. Suc- 
cess came, and a new home was estal)lished 
where she trained her children in the ways 
she knew and loved. She was the mother 
of eight children, and raised five to be men 
and women. She sent her two sons to the 
Civil war and received them again unhurt. 
The sons settled in l);uiville, Illinois, and 
in 1 87 1 the family left Covington and fol- 
lowed them. Before they had lived in Dan- 
ville a year the father. Dr. J. S. Jones, died 
and in less than a year later the younger 
unmarried son, James S. Jones, died sud- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



711 



denly. With bowed spirit, but brave cour- 
age, she took her place as head of the fam- 
ily, and during the thirty-one years that 
she held that place, moving in and out be- 
fore the people, not once did she fail in her 
duty to her family, her friends and the 
community — always the same sweet pa- 
tience, always the same high courage, al- 
ways the "saving grace of humor" carry- 
ing her over the many hard places. Her 
nobility of character won all hearts, her 
loyalty and interest kept them. Everybody 
loved her and when, after she was eighty 
years old. she received the unexpected tid- 
ings of the death of her oldest child and 
only son in a foreign land, she was borne 
up by the deep, loving sympathy of the en- 
tire community, and while she "wept like 
a child, she had the faith of a saint." She 
showed the strength of her nature by her 
continued interest in the welfare of others, 
the work of the world and the every day 
concerns of life. In her later life she was 
cherished and guarded and petted, and her 
sweet presence was a blessing and a com- 
fort to all who had a sight of her. Her 
wisdom, her purity, her nobleness, were so 
evident that strangers knew and wondered, 
and every nature grew finer and sweeter 
by even a passing intercourse. Her 
strength of mind and heart remained stead- 
fast and when, on the nth of November, 
1902, after a three weeks' illness from 
bronchial pneumonia, she slipped away 
from the precious body, ending a long life 
of nearly eighty-nine years, her "eye was 
not dim nor her natural force abated." In 
every house there was sorrow and mourn- 
ing for the loss of the life that in passing 
left a benediction of love. She gave to her 
children the priceless heritage of an honored 
name, made so by a long life filled with 
kind and noble deeds. 



"A sweeter woman ne'er drew breath." 
As daughter, child, wife, mother, compan- 
ion, friend, neighbor, there is no flaw. Her 
loving heart, that made a pet of every liv- 
ing thing; her bright intellect, that appre- 
ciated the best in every department of the 
world's work ; her quick and kindly sym- 
pathy, that made friends of the lowly and 
those of high estate alike; her courage, that 
faced every oljstacle and danger; her faith, 
that saw the good in all things ; her love of 
this beautiful world, that made every mornT 
ing a delight and the works of the Almighty 
a constant marvel ; her enjoyment of the fine 
and good things of life; her keen wit, her 
serene sell-poise, her brightness of speech, 
her contented spirit made her the charming 
companion, the sweet friend, while her in- 
spirational insight and generous hand made 
her the dear comforter in any grief or 
trouble. Hers was "the humility that sets 
a seal upon her lips and forgets what she 
has done, the patience that endureth all 
things, the guilelessness that thinketh no 
evil, sincerity that rejoiceth not in iniquity, 
the kindness that makes hands and feet ac- 
tive, the chastity of temper that purifies 
every impulse and the spirit of forgiveness 
that makes the soul Godlike." 



WILLIAM STRATMAN, Jr. 

William Stratman, Jr., who for ten 
years has engaged in business in Danville 
as a horseshoer at No. 16 South Hazel 
street, was born near Madison, Indiana, on 
the 7th of May, 1874, and is a son of Will- 
iam and Katy (Ricken) Stratman, both of 
whom were natives of Germany and about 
1 87 1 came to America, settling in Danville, 
Illinois, where thev remained for a short 



712 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



time prior to their removal to Indiana. In 
the latter state, however, their residence 
was hut l)rief and they returned to Danville, 
where the father estalihshed a hlacksmith 
shop. Here he still works at his trade at 
No. 422 South Bowman avenue. In the 
family are live children : .\nnie, the wife 
of August Lindehauni. a hlacksmith in the 
coal mines of Danville; Josephine, the wife 
of Andrew Hagen, who is employed as a 
boiler maker by the Chicago & Eastern Illi- 
nois Railroad Company, at Danville. Illi- 
nois: William; Joseph, who married Tilda 
Biu'rows and is also a hlacksmith of Dan- 
ville; and John, who follows blacksmithing 
in the coal mines. The children were edu- 
cated in the public schools of Indiana and 
of this city. 

L'pon leaving school W'illiam Stratman, 
Jr., began to learn the blacksmith's trade, 
which he followed in the employ of others 
for hve years and then started in business 
on his own accouiu. He purchased jjrop- 
erty at 805 Main street and there worked at 
his trade for nine years, when he sold his 
shop to the city of Danville for a hre engine 
house and pinxdiased his present ])roperty at 
No. 16. South Hazel street. He now owns 
a hne brick simp and has disccjutinuetl gen- 
eral blacksmithing work, devoting his atten- 
tion to horseshoeing. He employs two men 
during the winter season and five men in 
the summer. He is the leading horseshoer 
of Dan\ille, doing a very large business in 
this line. He has become an expert work- 
man and his practical understanding of the 
business enables him to cajjably direct the 
labors of his men. 

In 1896 Mr. Stratman was united in 
marriage to Miss Nettie Culbert, a native of 
St. Louis, and a daughter of James and 
Nettie dohnson) Culbert. both of whom 



are resiilents of Rossville, \'ermUion coun- 
ty, the father being the owner of a green- 
house in that city aiul successfully conduct- 
ing a Horist's business. Two children were 
born unto our subject and his wife but the 
first child died in infancy. The other, 
Gretia, is at home. 

Mr. Stratman gives his political support 
to the Republican party, but has ne\er been 
an aspirant for office. Socially he is identi- 
fied with the Modern Woodmen, of Dan- 
ville, with the Benevolent antl Protective 
Order of Elks and the Catholic Order of 
I'oresters. while both he and his wife are 
communicants of the St. Patrick's Catholic 
church of this city. They have a pleasant 
home at No. 831 East Main street and Mr. 
Stratman is regarded as a successful busi- 
ness man in the commiuiity. The greater 
part of his life has been here passed and his 
acquaintance is a wide one. Yet a young 
man, he has achieved a prosperity which 
many an older person might well envy, and 
arguing from the jjast one may well 
pro|)hesy for him a still more prosperous 
future. 



FRANCIS M. FAIRCHILD. 

Among the ])rogressi\e agriculturists 
and representative citizens of Blount town- 
ship is classed Mr. I'airchild. whose landed 
jjossessions aggregate five hundred and 
fifty acres on sections 3. 4. 10. and ^7,, 
Blount township. He was born here. April 
20. 1848. within one hundred rods of where 
he now lives. His father, Daniel Kairchild, 
was commonlv known as Pre^icher hair- 
child and was one of the earliest settlers of 
the county. He married Lucy Hemingway, 
who like her husband was a native of New 




MRS. DANIEL FAIRCHILD. 




FRANCIS M. FAIRCHILD 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



717 



York. Onr subject was the eighth son in 
their family. His education was acquired 
in the district schools and in this county he 
was reared to manhood. He assisted in the 
work of the home farm and during the 
winter months he pursued his education in 
the district schools, being thus engaged until 
he reached his majority, when he started 
out in life on his own account. 

On the 3d of March, 1870, in his twen- 
ty-second year, he married Ina B. Fitzger- 
ald, a daughter of Benjamin and Eliza Fitz- 
gerald. She was born in 1852, only a mile 
and a half from her Inisband's 1)irth place 
and she died Decemlier 5, 1894, at the age 
of forty-two years and twenty-five days, 
her ileath occurring in Colorado, where she 
had gone for the benefit of her health. By 
tiiis union there had been fourteen children, 
six of whom are living; Daisy, now the 
wife of G. E. Albert, of Danx-ille, by whom 
she has one daughter, Ina H.; Galen G.. 
who married Carrie Starr, a daughter of J. 
R. Starr, and they have one son; A. R., who 
was formerly a student in the University of 
Illinois at Bloomington and was then ap- 
pointed to the University at Champaign, Illi- 
nois; Maude E., who in iier eighteenth year 
is attending school ; R. B. and Daniel Hazel, 
who are at home. The deceased of the fam- 
ily are: Arthur, who died January 7, 1875, 
at the age of eleven months and twenty- 
one days ; Clara and Clarence, twins, the 
former dying August 23, 1892, and the lat- 
ter August 18, of the .same year; Loto R., 
who died at the age of one year, six months 
and nineteen days; Charles W.. who was 
born December 4. 1870, and died January 
28, 1896, at Falcoln, Colorado; Lola M., 
who became the wife of John Snyder and 
died at the age of nineteen years ; Oliver 
Lincoln, who was born June 28, 1877, and 
died January 28. 1897; and one that died 



in infanc}-. On the ist of December, 1897, 
Mr, Fairchild was again married, his sec- 
ond union being with Miss Annie White, a 
daughter of \\''illiam and Elizabeth White. 
Three children, two sons and one daughter, 
were born of this marriage but all died in 
infancy. 

In less than a month after the death of 
his first wife Mr. Fairchild lost his home, 
which was destroyed by fire, but he has 
since rebuilt a good residence upon his 
farm. He can well remember the period of 
his bo}'hood days when everything was new 
and undeveloped in this section of the state. 
He has engaged in feeding cattle, making 
a specialty of shorthorns and he always 
keeps good grades. His land is rich and 
well improved. It was largely cultivated 
originally by our subject and his brother, 
Harrison, who were among the first to tile 
their land. Mr. Fairchild has done con- 
siderable tiling and the fields are now well 
drained. When he began farming his trad- 
ing was done at Danville and. on one oc- 
casion he made a trip to Joliet, Illinois, with 
apples. He has plowed with a single shovel 
plow and cut grain with a cradle. He re- 
members clearly the way his mother used 
to spin and wea\-e, all the clothing of the 
family being home-made. Not an improve- 
ment had been placed upon his land when 
he took possession, but with characteristic 
energy he began its development and owing 
to his excellent management and enterprise 
he in course of time transformed his land 
into a very productive and valuable tract. 
In this work he was assisted by his wife, 
who proved to him a faithful companion 
and helpmate on life's journey. She was 
an excellent manager and was revered and 
loved by all who knew her, not only in her 
immediate household but also by her many 
friends. She was also an active church 



7i8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



worker and when she passed away she left 
a husband and nine cliildren to mourn her 
loss, but three of tlic children soon after- 
ward followed her. 

Mr. Fairchild held the oftice of town 
clerk for two terms and was collector of 
taxes for a number of years and supervisor 
for two years. I-'or a quarter of a century 
or more he has been a memljer of the 
school biianl. is still in that ixjsition, 
and has assisted largely in building 
schools and churches. For thirty-four years 
he has been a memljer of the Method- 
ist Episcopal church, in which he has served 
as a class-leader, steward for a number of 
years and as a Sunday-school teacher. He 
has frequently been a delegate from this 
place to conventions. In his political affairs 
he is an earnest 'Republican. Although he 
has had many hardships and difficulties to 
overciime he has progressed in his work 
and to-day i:e stands among the prominent 
and iniluential agriculturists of his com- 
munity, occupying a very en\iable position 
because of his splendid success as well as 
by reason of his upright life. 



BKXJA.MIX F. LEACH. 

Benjamin F. Leach is engaged in mer- 
chandising in Fhunrick, and is also serving 
as postmaster there. He was born in Pick- 
away county, Ohio, September 23, 1846, 
and is of Irish lineage, his paternal grand- 
father having been a native of the Emerald 
isle and the founder of the family in the 
new world. William M. Leach, the father 
of iiur subject, was born in Frederick coun- 
ty. X'irginia. in 1796, and was the youngest 
of a large family who devoted their energies 



to agricultural pursuits. In 1832 he re- 
moved to Pickaway county, Ohio, where he 
resided for twenty years, coming to Ver- 
milion county, Illinois, in 1852.- He was 
not long permitted to enjoy his new home, 
however, for he died the following year on 
a farm about three miles north of Indianola. 
His wife, who bore the maiden name of 
Mar\' Monroe, was born in Culpeper coun- 
ty, \'irginia. in 1800, and also belonged to 
a large family of farming people. She came 
of an aristocratic family of the south and a 
number of her ancestors were valiant sol- 
<liers in the Revolutionary war. The Mon- 
roe family was of Scotch lineage and thus 
the subject of this review comes of Scotch- 
Irish ancestry. When seventeen years of 
age ]Mary ^lonroe gave her hand in mar- 
riage to Mr. Leach, the wedding ceremony 
l>eing performed in \"irginia, and subse- 
(^uently they lived for twenty years upon 
a farm in Ohio. The\' became the parents 
of the following children : Edgar B., now 
tleceased ; A\'illiam M., a resident of Kan- 
sas; John and George, who have also passed 
away; Henry C. of Arkansas; Benjamin 
F. ; Mrs. Sarah Parker, also deceased; and 
^Irs. Mary Carney, of Arkansas. Four 
of the sons were soldiers of the Civil war, 
valiantly aiding in the preservation of the 
L'nion. 

lienjainin F. Leach spent the first six 
}ears of his life in the county of his na- 
tivity, and then accompanied his parents to 
\'ermilion county, Illinois, where he was 
educated in the common schools and reared 
in the usual manner of farmer lads of the 
period. On the 30th of :March, 1875, he 
was united in marriage to Miss Alma J. 
Baldwin, who was born in this county, in 
1 856, a daughter of Darius and Mary Bald- 
win, in whose family were .six children: 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



719 



James and William A., both deceased; B. 
F., who is living in Pueblo, Colorado; L. 
P., a resident of Vermilion county; and 
Mrs. Mary Rutherford, of Wichita, Kan- 
sas, besides the wife of our subject. The 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Leach was blessed 
with the following children : Albert W., 
now twenty-six years of age, is employed at 
the Eastern Illinois Hospital for the Insane 
at Kankakee, Illinois. Richard B., a young 
man of twenty-four years, is in the govern- 
ment employ at Washington, D. C. Mary 
E., Nellie C, and Daisy G. are yet under 
the parental roof. The wife and mother 
died in 1891. her loss being deeply mourned 
not only by her immediate family but also 
by many friends throughout the community. 
Richard, the son of our subject, was a sol- 
dier in the Spanish-American war, serving 
with the Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. 
Mr. Leach continued his connection with 
agricultural pursuits in the county until 
1885, when he took up his abode in Hum- 
rick. He first worked on a farm and then 
was employed by a grain company until 
1901. when he established his general store 
in this town. He has since conducted the 
enterprise with good success and is to-day 
enjoying a constantly growing trade. He 
is also the postmaster of the town, having 
served in that capacity for three terms dur- 
ing the administrations of President Harri- 
son and McKinley. In politics he is a stal- 
wart Republican, earnest and unfaltering in 
his support of the party. He served as col- 
lector of El wood township for three terms 
and was road commissioner for one term, 
and was the first supervisor of Love town- 
ship. He has also been justice of the peace 
for two terms and that he is strictly fair 
and impartial in his rulings is shown by 
the fact that he has never had a case ap- 



pealed from his court. Mr. Leach never 
had a lawsuit of his own in his life, but has 
always lived peaceably with his fellow men. 
His religious faith is indicated by his mem- 
bership with the Baptist church and fra- 
ternally he is connected with the Tribe of 
Ben Hur. He has a pleasant, comfortable 
home in Humrick and is a public-spirited, 
progressive citizen who enjoys the confi- 
dence of his neighbors and the esteem of 
manv warm friends. 



J. F. BAIRD. 

The name of Baird has through long 
years been closely associated with agricul- 
tural interests in Vermilion county and he 
of whom we write is a representative farm- 
er and successful business man, possessing 
excellent executive ability, keen discrimina- 
tion and marked enterprise. He was born- 
in Brown county, Ohio, on the 7th of Sep- 
tember, 1852, and is a son of Joseph and 
Elizabeth (Baldwin). Baird, the former a 
natix'e of Ohio and the latter of Kentucky. 
They were married in the Buckeye state and 
are represented elsewhere in this work. 
The father had learned the blacksmith's 
trade in early life and followed that pur- 
suit in Ohio until 1865, when with his fam- 
ily he came to Illinois, settling in Vermilion 
county. Here abandoning his trade he 
turned his attention to agricultural pursuits 
and is now living upon a farm in Catlin 
township. He has been three times married 
and with him resides his third wife. In- 
dependent in politics he has never sought 
or desired the honors and emoluments of 
office for himself, but has ever been earnest 
in support of political measures which he 



720 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



deemed would advance local welfare or na- 
tional progress. 

In the schools of his native county J- 
Frank Baird of this review obtained his 
education, pursuing his studies there through 
the w inter months until he was ten years of 
aee. while in the summer seasons he assisted 
his father in the work upon the farm. Af- 
ter putting aside his text books he gave his 
entire attention to farm work, first in the 
emplov of others and then in operation of 
rented land. With the family he came to 
Vermiliiiii county and on Christmas day of 
1877, in Fairmount. was celebrated the mar- 
riage of J. Frank Baird and Miss Jessie 
Freemont Browning, who was born in 
Danville on the 4th of May. 1857. and is a 
daughter of (ieorge Browning, whose birth 
occurred in Derbyshire, England. After 
arriving at years of maturity and in the 
meantime becoming a resident of America, 
he was married in Georgetown, \'emiilion 
county. Illinois, to Miss Emily D. Booker, 
a native of Virginia, and a daughter of 
James and Ann (Throckmorton) Booker, 
the former a native of the Old Dominion. 
A brother of Mrs. Baird's great-grandfa- 
ther served as a soldier of the Revolutionary 
war. At the time of their marriage Ch- 
anel Mrs. Browning became residents of 
Danville, where the former engaged in 
merchandising for two years. They then 
removed to Fairmount, which was their 
home until January, 1859. Mrs. Browning 
then went to Ohio for her health, but in that 
month died and was buried at Plattsburg 
near Springfield, Ohio. In i860 Mr. 
Browning was again married, his second 
union being with Miss Mary Reiley. of 
New .\lbany. Indiana, a native of Posey 
county, that state, bom February 23. 1838. 
Her parents. Benjamin and Mary (Dalby) 



Reilev. were iiotli nati\es of England, were 
married in that country and afterward came 
to the new world, locating first in Illinois. 
Subse(juently they removed to Ohio and 
some vears later returned to \ermilion 
county, where Mr. Reiley died July 9, 1897. 
His widow still survives him and is living 
in \'ance township. By his first marriage 
Mr. (jeorge Browning had three children: 
F\angeline. Eva and Jessie F.. the last 
named the wife of our subject. By the sec- 
ond marriage there were ten children : 
Harriett Angeline. the wife of Smiley Baird. 
a resident of Homer, Illinois, anil they have 
five children : Fannie B.. the wife of 
Joshua Wragg. of Springfield. Ohio; 
George Harri.son. who wedded .Mice Clux- 
ton, who with their one child reside in Ur- 
bana. Illinois; .\lbert B., of Gibson City. 
Illinois, who wedded Lucy \\'ilson, by 
whom he has one child: Walter, born in 
1872 and died June 9, 1899: Mary B.. the 
wife of J. R. T. Barton, of Jamaica. Illi- 
nois, by whom she has one child: Xe\ina, 
who is at home; Ruth, who died in 1897. 
a tw in sister of Xevina : J. Oscar, 
a resident of the state of W^ashington : and 
Ethel B.. still with her parents. 

After his marriage J. F. Baird of this 
review rented a tract of land which he con- 
tinued to cultivate for six years. He then 
purchased the farm upon which he now re- 
sides, becoming the owner of one hundred 
and eighty-five acres, a valuable tract on 
sections 6 and 7. Vance township. Here 
he has a splendid residence, good barns, and 
all the efpiipments and accessories of a 
model farm of the twentieth century. He 
has placed his land under a high state of 
cultixation and everything about his place 
is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating 
the careful supervision of the owner. The 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



721 



improvements upon his farm stand as mon- 
uments to his enterprise and are substan- 
tial evidences of his Hfe of well directed 
labor. 

The home of Air. and Mrs. Baird has 
been blessed with three children : Earl 
Ray, who was born October 28, 1878, and 
assists his father on the farm ; Emily Ethel, 
who was born August 31, 1882, and died 
August 20, 1884, and Pearl B., who was 
born November 14, 1885, and is now an 
accomplished music teacher. The family 
attend the services of the Baptist church, of 
which Mr. Baird is a member and fratern- 
ally he is connected with the Court of 
Honor and the Knights of the Globe, while 
in his political views he is a Republican, un- 
faltering in support of the principles of the 
party. The greater part of his life has been 
passed in \'ermilion county, where he has 
gained a wide acquaintance among the best 
classes of citizens. In his business inter- 
ests he has prospered and although he 
started out in life for himself empty handed 
he has steadily worked his way upward, 
brooking no obstacles that could be over- 
come by honest and earnest purpose. Thus 
he has gained the place of affluence, being 
to-day classed among the substantial ag- 
riculturists of his community. 



JOHN L. CHESLEY. 

John L. Chesley is one of the owners of 
the Chesley Brothers Boiler Works of Dan- 
ville, a business which has become of con- 
siderable importance in industrial circles of 
the city. The men who stand at its head 
owe their success to their own labors and 
capable control of their trade, and undoubt- 



edly the future holds in store for them 
further prosperity. John L. Chesley was 
born in this city May 25, i860, his parents 
being Robert V. and Helen Chesley. He 
attended the public schools, but after his 
father's death, which occurred in 1872, he 
began learning the trade of boiler-making 
in the employ of William F. Button, serv- 
ing an apprenticeship which covered three 
or four years. He afterward entered the 
employ of William Stephens, with whom 
he remained for a year and then went to 
Paris, Illinois, and afterward to Decatur. 
In the latter city he entered the shops of the 
^\'abash Railroad Company, remaining for 
a year and then returned to Danville, where 
he embarked in business for himself on 
West Main street. He had been established 
in trade there for three years when his 
brother Charles E. abandoned railroading 
and entered into partnership with him. 
Later they purchased the Stqihens plant 
at the junction and established their present 
lousiness, which is conducted under the iirni 
name of the Chesley Brothers Boiler Works. 
They manufacture all kinds of boilers, in 
fact, do everything in the line of iron work, 
including the construction of wagons and 
cars for mines, tanks and stacks. The 
plant is composed of three buildings cover- 
ing an area of one hundred by one hundred 
and fifty feet, and it is supplied with all 
modern equipments, including the latest 
improved machinery for facilitating the 
work and making their products durable. 

On the 26th of March, 1885. in Dan- 
ville, Mr. Chesley wedded Miss Eliza Ham- 
nett, who was born in Trenton. New Jer- 
sey, August 21, 1864, a daughter of Henry 
and Mary (Vaughan) Hamnett, the for- 
mer a native of Lincolnshire, England, and 
the latter of County Fermanagh, Ireland. 



722 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



They were married, however, in Trenton, 
New Jersey. Two sisters of the father sur- 
vive him and Hve in England, while the 
mother's relatives are residents of the 
Emerald isle. Mr. Hamnett followed the 
trade of spinning in England and worked in 
the woolen mills for a time after his arrival 
in America. Later, however, he turned his 
attention to farming, which he followed for 
a few years prior to his marriage and subse- 
quently he became a stationary engineer. In 
the year 1866 he came with his family to 
the west, locating in Danville, where he 
was employed as an engineer by the Dan- 
ville Foundry & Machine Company until 
his death, which occurred on the i6th of 
August, 1869. The mother died the same 
day, five hours after her husband passed 
away. He was a Republican in his politi- 
cal views and while he lielieved firmly in the 
principles of the party he always refused to 
hold office. He held membership with the 
Independent Order of Foresters and he 
belonged to the Episcopal church. At the 
time of the Ci\il war he served for fifteen 
months as a defender of the Union. He 
enlisted for three years' service in a New- 
Jersey regiment but the war closed before 
that time expired. In his early manhood 
he had been a soldier in the English army 
and as such had traveled over the greater 
part of Europe, taking part in several Eng- 
lish wars. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. 
Hamnett were five children, of whom two 
are living: Mrs. Chesley, and Jennie E., 
the wife of \Y. J. Withner, a resident of 
Vermilion Heights. 

Mr. Chesley of this review is an earnest 
Republican and while he is able to support 
his position by intelligent argument because 
of his thorough understanding of the ques- 
tions and issues of the day, he, too, has 



always declined to become a candidate for 
office. He belongs to the Modern Wood- 
men Camp of Danville, but his attention is 
chiefly given to his business interests, which 
make heavy demands upon his time. The 
Chesley Brothers have gained a creditable 
standing in business circles in their city and 
deserve much credit for what tiiey ha\e ac- 
complished, because at an early day they 
started out in life for themselves, working 
their way upward through fidelity to duty, 
earnest purpose and indefatigable energy. 



G. M. McCRAY, 



G. M. McCray is one of the practical 
and progressi\e young farmers of Pilot 
township, his birth having occurred in 1876, 
u])on the farm which is yet his home. Here 
he was reared to manhood and in the dis- 
trict schools he pursued his education. His 
parents are still living in Fithian and the fa- 
ther is a stock dealer and shipper, which 
business he has followed for many years. 
In the family are three living children: 
William, a resident of Oakwood township; 
G. M. ; and Verla, who is still with her 
parents. 

After acquiring his preliminary educa- 
tion in the schools near his boyhood home 
G. M. McCray entered a business college 
in Dixon, Illinois, wherein he was graduated 
and was thus well fitted for the practical 
duties of a business career. L'pon the re- 
moval of his parents to Fithian in the year 
1896 he assumed the management of the 
old farm which he is now operating. It 
belongs to his mother and comprises four 
hundred acres of rich and arable land which, 
under his control, is highly cultivated, while 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



723 



everything about the place is neat and thrif- 
ty, indicating his careful supervision. He 
is a wide-awake young business man and 
is meeting with creditable success in his 
work. 

- In the year 1896 Mr. McCray was united 
in marriage to Miss Julia Ludwig, a daugh- 
ter of J- V. Ludwig and unto them have 
been bom two children, of whom one is 
now living, Marian, an interesting little 
daughter. In his fraternal relations Mr. 
McCray is a Mason, belonging to the lodge 
at Hope, of which he is now serving as 
secretary. In his political views he is a 
Republican and keeps well informed on the 
question and issues of the day but has never 
been an aspirant for office, preferring to 
devote his energies to his business interests. 



GEORGE WILSON TILTON. 

George Wilson Tilton, whose connec- 
tion with mercantile interests in Vermilion 
county covers a period longer than that of 
any other merchant within its borders, is 
carrying on business in Catlin. He was 
born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Jan- 
uary 8, 1836, and comes of a family of 
English ancestry that was established in 
America during the colonial epoch of om- 
nation's history. Most of those, if not all, 
in the United States bearing the name of 
Tilton are descended from the three broth- 
ers who left their English home to become 
colonial settlers of this country. Enoch 
Tilton, the father of our subject, was born 
in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, July 22, 
181 1, and was united in marriage to Miss 
Elizabeth Wilson, whose birth occurred on 
the I2th of January, 181 1, and who was of 



Irish lineage. A blacksmith by trade the 
father carried on business along that line in 
early life, but during the last forty years 
of his life devoted his time and energies to 
the work of the ministry as a preacher of 
the Baptist church in Ripley county, Indi- 
ana. He located in that county in 1844, 
when everything was new, the land unbro- 
ken, the forest uncut, and the timber full 
of various kinds of wild game as well as 
of wolves and other wild animals. The 
family endured many of the hardships in- 
cident to frontier life. ,The father served 
as minister of four congregations in that 
county and died in 1885, while his wife, 
who survived him for some years, passed 
away in Potomac, Vermilion county, Illi- 
nois, in 1887, leaving a family of nine sons, 
of whom the subject of this review was the 
second in order of birth. 

George Wilson Tilton acquired his edu- 
cation in the early schools of Ripley county, 
Indiana, and in Moorshill College of that 
state. He afterward engaged in teaching, 
a profession which he followed for thirteen 
years, nine of which were spent in Ripley 
county, one in Missouri and four years in 
Catlin. He arrived in Vermilion county in 
1862 when twenty-six years of age. taking 
charge of the Catlin school, of which he 
was a capable and successful teacher until 
1866. He then entered the employ of Rich- 
ard Jones in the capacity of bookkeeper and 
salesman and afterward entered into part- 
nership with Jacob Sandusky under the 
firm name of Sandusky & Tilton, a relation 
that was maintained with mutual pleasure 
and profit for seven years. On the expira- 
tion of that period Mr. Sandusky sold his 
interest to L. C. Kiger, and the business 
was then continued under the firm style of 
Tilton & Kiger, for five years. Our sub- 



724 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



jcct then purchased liis partner's interest 
and lias since remained alone in the busi- 
ness. He has carried on his mercantile en- 
terprises at his present location since the 
•1st ut January, 1868, covering a period of 
more than thirty-tour consecutive years. 
Here he deals in general merchandise, and 
the fact that many of his patrons have con 
tinned with him throughout this entire per- 
iod is unmistakal)le proof of his honorable 
business methods and reliable dealing. He 
also owns considerable real estate and does 
not a little business in handling property. 
He has town property in Catlin and also in 
Danville and owns a half interest in the 
business of the tirm of Tilton & Son, gen- 
eral merchants of I'airmount. His farm land 
is all leased to good tenants and the rental 
therefrom supplies a gratifying income. 

Mr. Tiltiin was united in marriage in 
Rijilcy county, Indiana, to Miss Elizabeth 
Allbright, a native of Ohio, born in 1837. 
They have three children : Charles Virgil, 
of Fairmount, is the junior member of the 
firm of Tilton & Son, general merchants 
there. He married Nettie Reese of tliat 
place, and they have four children : Claude, 
Nina, Walter, and Julia. Elsie Venus is 
the wife of A. R. McGregor, a clerk in 
her father's store. Bertie Victor is the wife 
of Getirge Catlett, a farmer of Fairmount 
and they have two children, Shirley and 
Kent. 

In 1863 -Mr. Tilton became a member of 
the \'crmilion County Agricultural and Me- 
chanical Association, in which he took a 
very active part for several years, serving 
as secretarv, as vice president, and for three 
years as its president. He has been active 
and influential in public affairs, and for one 
term served on the county board of super- 
visors, representing Catlin township. He 



has filled all of the township offices and 
for two terms served under President 
Cleveland as postmaster. This fact indi- 
cates his affiliation with the Democratic 
party, of which he has long been an earnest 
advocate. He served on the building com- 
mittee of the Methodist Episcopal church 
at the time of the erection of its house of 
worship in Catlin and well may he be classed 
among the substantial residents of Cat- 
lin and of \'ermilion county for he 
has been closely identified with its 
growth along material, social, intellectual 
and moral lines. He and his family are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church 
and he belongs to Catlin Lodge, No. 285, 
F. & A. M., of which he was the honored 
master for nine years. He also belongs to 
the chapter at Danville and the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled 
all of the chairs, and both he and his wife 
are connected with the Rebekah degree. Mr. 
Tilton possesses considerable literary abil- 
ity and for thirty years has been a corres- 
pondent for the Danville News. His con- 
tributions are furnished to the paper under 
the nom de plume of "Hannah Mariah," 
and he treats of many subjects, often in a 
humorous way. He is the author of a num- 
ber of comic productions and is considered 
a fluent and able writer as well as a suc- 
cessful business man and a loval citizen. 



ALONZO A. LOUTZENHISER. 

Through almost a half century Alonzo 
A. Loutzenhiser has resided in Danville and 
although now nearly eighty years of age, 
he is yet concerned with business interests 
to some extent, following his trade of shoe- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



727 



making. He was horn in ■Mercer county, 
Pennsyhania, February 29, 1824, and is a 
son of John and Elizabeth (Trindle) 
Loutzenhiser, botli of whom were natives 
of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. The 
father was a miller by trade and removed to 
Mercer county, Pennsylvania, where he 
followed that pursuit until he reached old 
age. after A\hich lie and his wife lived among 
their children until called to their final rest. 
The father died in ilissouri. In their fam- 
ily were nine children : David, Mary and 
Catherine, all deceased; Jacob, who is a 
blacksmith by trade but is now living retired 
in Mercer county, Missouri ; Alonzo A. ; 
Catherine and Daniel, both deceased ; John, 
who was assistant c^uartermaster in the Civil 
war and was killed in the service; and 
Helen, who has passed away. 

Alonzo A. Loutzenhiser acquired a good 
education in the schools of Mercer county, 
Pennsylvania. At the age of nine years he 
began to learn the tailor's trade, which he 
followed in his native county until he came 
west in 1853. Since that time he has resided 
continuously in Danville and here he fol- 
lowed his trade until i860, when he was 
elected to the position of constable, filling 
that office until after the Civil war began. 
In July, 1 86 1, he entered another depart- 
ment of his country's service — the military. 
He joined Company F, of the Fourth Illi- 
nois Cavalry under Captain Search and 
Colonel Dickey. He was made a first lieu- 
tenant after having served for a time as 
second lieutenant. He participated in many 
important engagements, including tlie bat- 
tles of Forts Henry and Donelson, Pitts- 
burg Landing, Vicksburg and Holly 
Springs. While at Corinth, Mississippi, 
our subject resigned and was there dis- 
charged after thirteen months' service. 

For a short time after his return from 

29 



the war ^Nlr. Loutzenhiser remained in 
Danville and then went to Champaign, Illi- 
nois, where he remained for a brief period. 
He next went to Lansing, Iowa, where 
he began working in the forests, cutting 
cord wood for steamboats. He was thus 
engaged until 1868, when he again came to 
Danville and in 1870 he was elected consta- 
ble, He also served as bailiff under J. 
Probst one year, and under Colonel Search, 
John W. Myers and Ed Gregory for four 
years each. On his retirement from office 
he began shoemaking in Danville, which 
he followed for three years, when he was 
appointed to a position on the police force 
and acted in that capacity for four years. 
In October, 1886, he built his present shoe 
shop and has since engaged in shoemaking. 

Mr. Loutzenhiser has been three times 
married. He first wedded Miss Mary Lohr, 
of Kentucky, who died in 1849, of cholera. 
He afterward wedded Miss Sophia Day, of 
Ohio, who died in Homer, Illinois, in 1853. 
For his third wife he chose Miss Eliza W. 
Weir, of ^Massachusetts. She i^ of Scotch 
descent and now resides with our subject 
in Danville. By the first marriage there 
were two children : Sarah, now the wife of 
C. C. Bates, a resident of Decorah, Iowa; 
and Nettie, now the wife of a Mr. Clements, 
of San Francisco, California. There was 
one child by the second marriage : Retta, 
who was the wife of Benjamin Kirtly, and 
died in 1901. The children born of the 
third marriage are : Charles, a paper 
hanger now living in Chicago ; and Lott A., 
a conductor on the Illinois Central Rail- 
road, living in New Orleans. 

Mr. Loutzenhiser voted with the Dem- 
ocratic party until 1900, but is now a stanch 
Republican. Besides holding the offices 
mentioned above, he served as police magis- 
trate in New Westville, Ohio, for four yejirs. 



728 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



and was also townsliip clerk for four years, 
while for a similar period he ser\ed as a 
member of the scluxil Ijoard of Danville. 
He o\tns a nice residence at No. 306 Chand- 
ler street and his shoe shop is on the same lot. 
He is also the owner of other property in 
this city, having made judicious invest- 
ments in real estate. He is largely living- 
retired from active business, but indolence 
is utterly foreign to his nature and he keeps 
his shop in order "to have something to do." 
He is now nearly eighty years of age, a hale 
and hearty old man, having never been con- 
fined to his bed by sickness throughout his 
entire life. Nature is kind to those who 
oppose not her laws and Mr. Loutzenhiser 
has always lived in harmony with the prin- 
ciples of health and of right living. While 
in Ohio he served as superintendent of a 
Methodist Sunday-school and addresseil 
many meetings. 



ISAAC A. LOVE. 



Undaunted by obstacles that would have 
discouraged many a man of less resolute 
spirit, from a humble position Isaac A. Love 
has arisen to prominence. When opportun- 
ities have i)resented themselves he has 
(juickly utilized them, when there has seemed 
to be no opportunity he has made one. He 
realized fully that there is no royal road 
to wealth or learning, but with stout heart 
he started upon the upward jjath and though 
the road has offtimes been a rugged one, he 
has now reached the plane of affluence and 
is accorded recognition as one of the most 
capable members of the Danville bar, where 
he has practiced for eight years. 

Mr, Love was born in the north of Ire- 
land, May 16, 1855 and is of Scotch-Irish 



parentage. His father, \\'ashington Lo\e, 
was a farmer and fisherman who came to 
America when our suliject was but live 
years of age, locating in Brooklyn, New 
York, where he remained for three years. 
He then removed to Columbiana county, 
Ohin, where he engaged in farnung. lie 
and his wife are still living in that state, 
the former at the age of eighty years, the 
latter at the age of seventy-six. In their 
family were nine children, Isaac being the 
fifth in order of birth. 

Isaac A. Love first attended school in 
Brooklyn and later resumed his studies in 
Columbiana county, Ohio, but when only 
ten vears of age he began working in the 
coal mines. His father having suffered 
financial reverses in Brooklyn, the sons all 
secured employment in the mines after the 
removal to Ohio and though our subject 
was but a youth of ten years he began bail- 
ing water with a Ijucket that was higher 
than his head. Later he became a mule 
driver and finally engaged in mining the 
coal. .Although thus prevented from at- 
tending school he was anxious to improve 
his education and as he found opportunity 
he studied and recited to a lady at night. 
A laudable ambition to attain something 
better has e\er been one of his strong char- 
acteristics and setting his mark high he has 
eagerly embraced every o])i)ortunity for 
raising liim-^elf to its level. When he was 
thirteen years of age he chanced to see one 
of Dr. Chase's recipe books in which was 
a cut of Ann .Arbor L^^niversity, showing the 
law department. At that moment he de- 
termined to become a lawyer and never for 
a moment did he waver in his purpose. 

When he was seventeen years of age 
and a resident of Washingtonville. Ohio, 
J. C. Ryan of that ])lace invited Mr. Love 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



729 



to study law with him. In order to accept 
this offer he attended the pubHc school in 
the mornings, worked in the mines in the 
afternoon, doing a full day's work, and af- 
ter supper he studied until nine o'clock. At 
the end of a year Mr. Ryan concluded that 
Mr. Love was taxing his strength too se- 
verely and persuaded his father to let Isaac 
live with him, which consent was granted 
and Mr. Love then lived with his preceptor 
for two years. When he was twenty years 
of age he was admitted to the bar. Dur- 
ing the two years just passed he had also 
attended the public schools and had com- 
pleted the high school course. After his ad- 
mission to the bar, realizing that he was 
deficient in literary knowledge, he engaged 
in teaching school for two years and th. 
money thus earned was used to defray his 
expenses as a student in Mount Union Col- 
lege, near Alliance, Ohio. He was after- 
ward elected principal of the Lafayette 
school, of South Bend, Indiana, although 
but twenty-two years of age. He remained 
there for a year and then opened a law of- 
fice in La Porte, Indiana, where he practiced 
for six years with success, being a part of 
that time a member of the law firm of Love 
& Thomas. Shortly after his admission to 
the bar he and his brother had formed a 
partnership, but soon agreed that they were 
too voung to begin business together. 
While in La Porte Mr. Love was twice the 
candidate of the Republican party for the 
position of states attorney, but the Democ- 
racy had an overwhelming majority in that 
district. During his second candidacy he 
made speeches for the congressional candi- 
date, who had no oratorical ability, deliver- 
ing altogether fifty-seven addresses, many 
times speaking twice a day. 

About that time many people were re- 



moving to Kansas and Air. Love decided to 
seek a home in the west, locating in An- 
thony, Harper county, Kansas, where he 
became the senior member of the firm of 
Lo\"e & Snelling. There he remained for 
ten years and during the first six years he 
never lost a jury trial. In 1890 he was 
nominated by the Republicans for district 
judge, but the Populistic wave swept over 
the state and not a Republican candidate 
was elected in Kansas. In 1894 he came to 
Danville and shortly afterward entered into 
partnership with W. R. Jewell, Jr., a re- 
lationship that has since been continued. 
In 1 89 1 he was admitted to practice before 
the United States supreme court. He is 
well versed in the principles of jurispru- 
dence and reading is continually broaden- 
ing his knowledge. His preparation of 
cases is thorough and exhaustive, and he 
has an ambition which nothing short of 
success will satisfy if it can be won through 
open, honorable methods. He has, how- 
ever, great respect for the dignity of his 
calling, and will never win a case if it must 
be done by debasing himself, lowering the 
standard of public morality or degrading 
the dignity of the profession. 

Mr. Love was married in 1891 to Miss 
Hattie Boggs, a daughter of B. F. Boggs. 
of Urbana, a lady of superior culture and 
innate refinement, who has won the degree 
of Master of Arts from the University of 
Illinois. In their family there are six chil- 
dren, a son and five daughters. Fraternally 
Mr. Love is connected with the Masonic 
order, belonging to the blue lodge and chap- 
ter. In politics he has always been a stal- 
wart Republican and in 1888 was a delegate 
to the national convention which nominat- 
ed Benjamin Harrison for the presidency. 
For a long time he has been an interested 



730 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



worker and zealous meniljcr in the Metho- 
dist Episcopal chnrcli. For a number of 
years he has been the superintendent of the 
Sunday-schoool of the First Methodist 
Episcopal church, of Danville, and in 1900 
was sent by the Illinois conference to the 
general conference of the church in Chica- 
go. Love township, this county, was named 
in his honor. It will thus be seen that his 
development has not been along one line, 
producing abnormal growth, but has been 
that of natural aihancement, that the I'hy- 
sical, intellectual and moral have been given 
due attention and that his strong manhood 
is the outcome of a sound mind in a sound 
body and aclimi added l)\- high mora! pur- 
pose. 



JOSEPH BAILEY. 

The ancestral history of Joseph Bailey 
is one wliicli traces back to a very early 
epoch in the annals of this country. Among 
the tirst families to establish homes in Essex 
county. Massachusetts, were the Baileys, 
and for many years representatives of the 
name ha\e there resided, Ijeing connected 
with agricidtural piu'suits. Lieutenant 
Thomas Bailey, the great-great-grandfather 
of our subject, received a commission from 
King Cieorge the Second, of England, in 
1732, and this commission, now framed, 
liangs on a wall in the home of our subject. 
Manv other cherished heirlooms handed 
down through generations are also pos- 
sessed by .Mr. I'.ailey. a number of these 
being more than two lnui(lre<l years old. 
Jeremiah Bailey, the great-grandfather of 
our subject, was a native of Massachusetts, 
and his son. Uenjamin llailey, was Ixirn in 
Esse.x county, that state and became the 
grandfather of onr subject. Captain Jolm 



Bailey, the father of our subject, was born 
in Esse.x C(junty and throughout his entire 
life carried on farming there. The old fam- 
ily homestead upon which he lived came into 
possession of his son Joseph but has since 
been sold. The father was a captain in the 
militia and expected to go to the war in 
181 J l)ul was never called out to active ser- 
vice. He died upon the old homeste^ul af- 
ter which his widow came to Georgetown, 
Illinois, with our subject and there spent her 
last davs. She bore the maiden name of 
Abigail Cross and was also a native of Es- 
se.x county. In the family were nine chil- 
dren : Daniel, John, Mehitabel, W'illirun, 
Joseph, .Xbigail. Charles Wesley, Lois Ann 
and Emily. The three now living are Jo- 
seph, of this review; .\bigail, who resides 
in Salem, New Hamiishire; and Emily, the 
widow- of John B. Alexander, who was a 
prominent resident of Danville. She now 
resides in Salem, Oregon. The children all 
enjoved educational pri\'ileges in the schools 
of Massachusetts. 

Joseph Bailey, whose name introduces 
this sketch, was born in Essex county, .Au- 
gust 16, 1820, and throughout the period 
of his youth remained upon the home farm 
assisting in the labor of field and meadow. 
When he left the east about 1845 he made 
his way direct to Vermilion county, Illinois, 
settling- in (icorgetown, where his brother 
was ser\ing as postmaster, and here loegan 
his business career as a clerk in a small 
store, receiving six dollars per month in 
compensation for his .services. He followed 
clerking for three years or until his mar- 
riage, which occurred May 4. 1852, the lady 
of his choice being Miss Sarah Ann Brac- 
liall, who was born in Georgetown, Decem- 
ber 4. 1833. a daughter of Martin and Eliza- 
beth (Smith) Brachall. Her father was a 
native of I'ennsvlvania, became one of the 




JOSEPH BAILEY. 




MRS. JOSEPH BAILEY. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



735 



first settlers of Vermilion county and at the 
time of the black Hawk war joined the 
troops tliat were engaged in suppressing the 
Indian uprising. By trade he was a tailor 
and followed that pursuit in Georgetown 
from the time of his arrival in the west 
until his life's labors were ended in death. 
He died at Danville. 

After his marriage Mr. Bailey entered 
into partnership with a brother and em- 
barked in general merchandising in George- 
town under the firm name of \V. B. and J. 
Bailey. He continued in that enterprise for 
several years and then went to Indianola, 
this county, entering into partnership with 
Mr. Sconce, under the firm name of Bailey 
& Sconce, dealers in merchanrlise. For 
three years the business was there carried 
on, after which Mr. Bailey purchased a 
farm near "Georgetown, where he carried on 
agricultural pursuits and stock-raising for 
five years, but there he suffered heavy losses 
by fire which destroyed his home and other 
buildings around the place. He then re- 
turned to Georgetown, wishing to give his 
children the benefit of the educational privi- 
leges afforded by the schools there, and for 
several years remained a resident of that 
place. During that period he owned an in- 
terest with John Hall in the lumber busi- 
ness at Tuscola, Illinois, and Kansas City, 
Missouri, where Mr. Hall removed. He 
was also a partner with Mr. Brachall, the 
merciiant tailor of Danville, for years. At 
the same lime he engaged in dealing in land, 
owning realty in Kansas, Arkansas, Mis- 
souri. Iowa. Indiana and Illinois. Mr. Bai- 
ley has displayed marked foresight in mak- 
ing his investments and upon many of his 
farms he has realized handsomely. In 1870 
he became one of a company that was or- 
ganized to build the Paris & Danville 
railroad, Hiram Sanford, of Paris, Illinois, 



becoming the president,' while Mr. Bailey 
was one of the directors. But the company 
failed and through this disaster Mr. Bailey. 
met with great loss. The road is now 
owned by the Big Four Company. Until 
1888 our subject lived retired in George- 
town and then removed to Kansas City, 
Missouri, but remained for only four 
months in- that place, returning .to Ver- 
milion county on account of his wife's 
health. He then settled in Danville, where 
he has since lived retired. 

On the loth of May, 1888, ilr. Bailey 
was called upon to mourn the loss of his 
wife wh(j on that date departed this life 
leaving four children. Edward Everett, 
the eldest, is now serving as United .States 
consul at Ensenada, Mexico. Sarah Eliza- 
beth, born June 2, 1855, is the wife of Jesse 
C. Moore, who for se\eral years was con- 
nected with Rand, McNally & Company of 
Chicago, and is now Indian agent of Parker, 
Arizona, but continues to make his home 
in Danville and with them Mr. Bailey is 
living. Martin B., a prominent citizen, 
born January 22, 1857, married Lucie 
Payne and is a leading attorney and the 
present mayor of Danville, as well as state 
senator from his flistrict. Josephine, born 
August 31, 1875, now resides in Boston. 
Mrs. Bailey, the wife of our subject, was a 
woman of more than ordinary ability, and 
at the age of four years could read with 
accuracy. She graduated in the Georgetown 
Seminary and attended a Quaker institution 
at Bloomingdale, Indiana, and there com- 
pleted her education. She was an earnest 
Christian woman, attending the Methodist 
church after marriage, although reared a 
Ouaker. ]\Ir. Bailey served as township su- 
pervisor of Georgetown township for three 
years, but has never been an active politi- 
cian in the sense of office seeking. His 



736 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



political support has been given to the Re- 
publican party since its organization and he 
has long been a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. He was one of the lead- 
ing singers in the church of Georgetown at 
an early day. Throughout Vermilion coun- 
ty he has a wide acquaintance and he is 
numbered among the early settlers, for 
thnuigh hfty-eight years he has resided 
here. In his business affairs, owing to his 
keen sagacity and his enterprise he has pros- 
pered. Some reverses have come to him. 
but with determined energy he has largely 
overcome the obstacles and difficulties in his 
path and to-day he is the possessor of a 
handsome competence. 



ALOXZO B. BENJAMIN. 

Alonzo B. Benjamin has 1)een connected 
with the music trade of Danville since 1876 
and is now the president of the Benjamin 
Temple of ]VIusic, the largest store of its 
kind in the state outside of Chicago. He 
has been the builder and ])romoter of this 
enterprise and is classed among the leading 
representatives of commercial interests in 
eastern Illinois, earnest labor, persistency 
of purpose and sound judgment being the 
sure foundation upon which he has builded 
his success. 

Mr. Benjamin was born in Peoria coun- 
ty, Illinois, July 3, 1S49, ^ ^o" of John and 
Levira (Hitchcock) Benjamin, both born 
in New York. John Benjamin was a farm- 
er and followed that occupation throughout 
his entire life. In 1832 he came to Illi- 
nois, casting in his lot with the pioneers of 
the state. He settled in Peoria county, 
where he began the development of a new 



farm, which he transtcjrmed into a valu- 
able property, being very successful in his 
chosen work. He kept buying and improv- 
ing land until he ownetl a tine property of 
sixteen hundred acres. He was also an in- 
ventor of considerable merit, inventing the 
first cultivator plowing a row of corn. It 
was then called the Shanghai plow. He 
also invented a corn planter which droppe<' 
a double rt)\\. This was a decided impro\e- 
ment over the machinery of that time, but 
unfortunately he never patented it. He was 
a very enterprising and progressive man 
and he diil much for the improvement of 
his section of the state. He built the first 
brick house in his locality and for many 
years it was considered a land-mark by 
travelers. He and his wife were memljers 
of the Bajjtist church and were prominent 
pioneer people, Mr. Benjamin leaving the 
impress of his indi\iduality upon many lines 
of ])ublic progress and impro\cment. He 
died in 1863, at al)out the age of ^ixty-two 
years, and his widow, surviving him until 
1883, passed away at the age of seventy- 
four years. Unto them were born seven 
children : R. J., an old resident and retired 
merchant, who is now an attorney and jus- 
tice of the peace of I'rinceville; Truman 
and Edwin, who died in infancy; J. H.. a 
retired farmer of W'infield, Kansas: M. \V., 
who is engaged in the music business in 
Boone, Iowa: Harriet 1.., the widow of J. 
S. Barnum, and a resident of Chicago: and 
Alonzo Bushnell Benjamin. 

In the schools of the city and county of 
Peoria -\lr. Benjamin of this review pur- 
sued his early education and afterward pre- 
])ared for commercial life in a business col- 
lege, continuing his studies until twenty- 
one years of age. On putting aside his 
text-books he became a music dealer of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



739 



Prince\'ille, whence he removed to Danville 
in 1876. He then opened his present estab- 
lishment as a branch house for Lyon & 
Healy, of Chicago, whom he thus repre- 
sented for seventeen years, under the name 
of the Benjamin Temple of Music. He be- 
gan business on West Main street, in the 
old Hubb block, and in 1882 removed to the 
Palmer block, where he remained until 

1901, when he secured the fine building at 
Nos. 30 and 32 North Vermilion street. 
It is a three-story structure, twenty-seven 
by one hundred and fifty feet, and each 
floor is occupied by the Benjamin Temple 
of Music, being well equipped and splendid- 
ly stocked with musical instruments of all 
descriptions. I\Ir. Benjamin makes a spe- 
cialty of the Everett piano but carries alto- 
gether fourteen different makes and five 
different makes of organs, together with 
piano players — the angulus and appollo — 
and musical merchandise of every descrip- 
tion. The store is now the largest of the 
kind in the state outside of Chicago. Mr. 
Benjamin, in partnership with C. E. Swift, 
became the owner of the store in 1893, and 
this relation was maintained until October, 

1902. when Mr. Swift sold his interest to 
F. J. Lovell. the son-in-law of Mr. Ben- 
jamin, and formerly of the Lyon & Healy 
house of Chicago, with which he had been 
identified for twenty years. The other 
partner in the enterprise is F. A. Benjamin, 
a nephew. On the 2d of November, 1902. 
the business was incorporated under the 
name of the Benjamin Temple of ^lusic 
and capitalized for twenty thousand dollars. 
The officers are A. B. Benjamin, president ; 
F. A. Benjamin, vice president; and F. J- 
Lovell, secretary and treasurer. 

On the loth of June, 1872, Alonzo B. 
Benjamin was married to Aliss Angie Cook. 



a daughter of T. G. Cook, a prominent 
farmer and early settler of Knox county, 
Illinois, now living retired in Galesburg. 
He wedded Miss Susan E. Wilder, who be- 
longed to one of the leading families of that 
locality. LTnto Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin 
have been born four children: .Susan L.. 
the wife of F. J. Lovell, and the mother of 
one son. Ralph B. Lovell : Roy A., who 
wedded Miss Bessie, daughter of W. M. 
Jeremy, a grocer of Danville; Ruby Ade- 
ona, a student in the Danville schools; and 
Horace Victor. 

In Peoria county, when twenty-one 
years of age. Mr. Benjamin joined the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and has 
filled all the chairs in the local organiza- 
tion and encampment. He has been patri- 
arch militant, and adjutant and is now hold- 
ing the rank of captain. He is also con- 
nected with the Knights of Pythias, the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, the 
Court of Honor, the' National Union and 
Red Men. For two years he has served as 
alderman of Danville and anything calcu- 
lated to benefit the city elicits his attention 
and co-operation. In business circles he 
ranks high and is notable for his prompt- 
ness in meeting obligations and for his re- 
liabilit\' in all trade transactions. 



G. W. BAIRD. 



G. W. Baird is a substantial farmer and 
stock-raiser of Vance township, owning 
therein three hundred and fifty-nine acres 
of land, l>esides valuable property in Fair- 
mount, A'ermilion county, Illinois. He was 
born in Brown county, Ohio, October 18, 



740 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1851, aiul is a son of Josei)h ami Elizaljeth 
(Baldwin) Bainl, the former a native of 
Ohio and the lalter born in Kentucky. They 
were married in Kentucky and located in 
Ohio, wliere Joseph Baird followed black 
smithiiii^. in Brown county. They came to 
\'ermilion county. Illinois, in 1889 and lo- 
cated on a farm in V'ance township. In 
1897 they removed to Catlin township. The 
mother died in 1857 and two years later 
Mr. Baird married again, his second union 
being with Miss Wyckoff. She died in i860 
and in 1863 Mr. Baird was united in mar- 
riage to Alary Xeal, who is now living with 
her husband in Catlin township. He is a 
Democrat in his political views. G. W. 
Baird of this review has two brothers and 
one half brother living. I-"rank resides on 
a farm in \'ance township. John S. re- 
sides on a farm in Homer township. Cham- 
paign county, Illinois. Mr. Baird's half- 
bn)ther, Samuel, resides with his father in 
Catlin township. 

Mr. Baird of this review attended the 
district schools of Brown county, Ohio, but 
his educational privileges were quite lim- 
ited. However, I)y reading, experience and 
obser\ation he has since broadened his 
knowledge and is now a well informed 
man. He came to Vance township, Ver- 
milion county, Illinois, in 1869, afterward 
purchased land fur himself and has since 
been engaged in farming and stock-raising, 
in which occupation he has been very suc- 
cessful. This is because he never neglects 
a dutv and is energetic and pro,gressive. 
Besides his large farm of three hundred 
and twenty acres he owns city property and 
a splendid home in Fairmounl. In that city, 
on the 1st of January, 1871, he was united 
in marriage to Miss Lydia E. Davis, who 
was born in Vermilion countv, Illinois, 



May _'3. 1852. She is a daughter of Will- 
iam and Elizabeth (Hays) Davis. Will- 
iam Davis was lx)rn in Guernsey county, 
Ohio, January 2^. 1811. His father was 
born in Pennsylvania, September 20, 1781, 
ruid died in 1S55, while his wife was born 
June .5, 1785, anil died in Xovemijer. 1848. 
The\- were among the early settlers of \'er- 
milion county, Illinois, having come from 
Ohio in 1834. The father of William Davis 
took part in the war of 181 _> and his grand- 
father was a soldier in the Re\'olutionary 
war. William I)a\'is came from Guernsey 
county, Ohio, to X'ermilion county, Illinois, 
in 1834 and located on a farm. He was 
twice married, his first union being with 
Elizabetli Hays, the mother of Mrs. Baird. 
This marriage took place on the I7tli of 
September, 18.34. She was a native of 
Washington county. I'ennsylvania. was 
born in 181 1 and departed this life in 1861. 
I'or his second wife Mr. Davis chose Mary 
Catlett. the marriage ceremony being per- 
formed in 1863. She was a native of \^ir- 
ginia, born August 23. 1821. She died in 
1890 and Mr. Davis passed away on his 
eighty-fourth birthday, January 23, 1895. 
He was a member of the Baptist church and 
in politics was a Democrat. He was the 
father of seven children : Rachel is the wid- 
ow of D. Roudybush. and resides in Port 
land. Oregon; Edith.^ now deceased, Ije- 
came the wife of B. Browning, and resided 
in Los Angeles, California: David C. resides 
in Fancher. Shelby county, Illinois; Henry 
resides in Fairmount, Illinois: Jemima is 
the wife of S. Cox, and resides in Bement. 
Illinois: William F. is deceased: and Lytlia 
is the wife of our subject. 

]\fr. and Mrs. Baird have three living 
chiklren : Harry D.. born August 3, 1873; 
Jennie G., born September 2, 1884; and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



741 



Opal S., born May 28, 1888, all with their 
I^arents. They have two children deceased, 
one who died in infancy and Nellie M. Mr. 
Baird is a member of the Baptist church, 
and fraternally is connected with the 
Knights of the Globe and the Court of 
Honor. In his political affiliations he is a 
Democrat. He and his wife are valued cit- 
izens of Fairmount, where they are honored 
and respected by all who know them. 



CAPTAIN G. W. HOLLOWAY. 

Captain G. W. Holloway is an hotiored 
veteran of the Civil war, whose title was 
won by meritorious conduct on the field of 
battle in defense of the Union. He has been 
a resident of Vermilion county since No- 
vember 7, 1835. His birth occurred in 
Berkeley county. West \'irginia, February 
22, 1823, his parents being Jesse and Susan 
(Roach) Holloway. The father was born 
in Stafford county, Virginia, and in Balti- 
mpre wedded Miss Roach. He then estab- 
lished his home in Berkeley county. West 
Virginia, where he engaged in farming until 
1835, when he removed with his family to 
Vermilion county, Illinois. He entered land 
in the McKindree neighborhood, securing 
one hundred and sixty acres on section 21, 
Georgetown township, where he carried on 
agricultural pursuits throughout his re- 
maining days. This quarter was the last 
government land in this vicinity. Mr. Hol- 
loway was a Whig in politics ,and in religi- 
ous faith his wife was a Methodist. His 
death occurred July 2, 1854. Of their six 
children one died in infancy and Isabella 
died in 1845. The others are G. W. ; John, 
who died October 23, 1844: and Eliza, who 



resides with her brother, Jesse, who is mar- 
ried and lives in Oklahoma. 

Captain Holloway was a latl of twelve 
years when he accompanied his parents to 
this count}' and here he was reared upon the 
home farm. In the spring of 1853 he en- 
tered into partnership in a general mercan- 
tile business with Elam Henderson and af- 
ter about one year his brother, Jesse, also 
became a member of the firm, which was 
known as Henderson & Holloway. This 
partnership was maintained for twenty 
years, when they sold out and soon after- 
ward Mr. Henderson died. From 1874 
until 1889 Captain Holloway carried on 
general merchandising alone and since that 
time has lix-ed retired. He was known as 
one of the reliable, enterprising merchants 
of his locality and in the conduct of his 
business afifairs he met with honorable and 
gratifying success. 

On the 17th of January, 1855. the Cap- 
tain married Miss Sophia M.. a daughter 
of Jesse and Sophia (McCullough) Lyons, 
both of whom were natives of Massachu- 
setts. Her father was married three times, 
and died in the Bay state, after which the 
mother of Mrs. Holloway came to Clinton. 
Indiana, and soon removed to Urbana, Illi- 
nois. Mrs. Holloway is the youngest of 
twenty children, and by her marriage she 
became the mother of six children. The 
fourth child died in 1864 at the age of sev- 
enteen months. Jesse L. died August 21, 
1901. He had been a railroad conductor 
for several years and was stricken with apo- 
plexy while on duty. Belle, the eldest, is 
the wife of David Webb, a real-estate deal- 
er at Danville. George was for fifteen years 
a railway mail clerk and was then promoted 
to the position of postoffice inspector, in 
which capacity he has served for several 



742 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



years, witli headquarters in Chicago. Rose 
is llie wife of John R. Thompson, a pronii 
nent Imsiness man in Chicago. Abby is 
now at liome. 

At tlie time of the Civil war Captain 
Holloway was aroused by patriotic impulses 
to enter the government service, enHsting 
August 6, 186.2. in the One Hundred and 
Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry under Col- 
onel Harmcin. He was mustered into ser- 
vice on the 3d of September and became 
captain of Company D. On the 13th of 
September the company proceeded by rail to 
Cincinnati, thence to Louisxille bv boat and 
from that point started after Bragg, meet- 
ing the enemy in l)attle at Perryville. Later 
the regiment went to Nashville, where it 
remained through the winter, doing post 
duty. Later it was sent to Chattanooga 
and with his command Captain Holloway 
participated in the battles of Chickamauga, 
Missionary Riflge, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Peach Tree Creek and Jonesboro. The fol- 
lowing winter was spent at Chattanooga, 
and in the spring of 1864 he started on the 
Sherman campaign. He marched into At- 
lanta on the 4th of September, there re- 
maining until Xox'ember. With Sherman's 
command he tlien started for Savannah, the 
troops arriving on the i ith of December, 
1864. In the following January they went 
to Goldsboro, .\orth Carolina, .\\eraslxiro 
and Bentonvilie, where there was a battle^ 
in which the Union forces lost twelve hun- 
dred men. They then proceeded to Raleigh. 
North Carolina, and on the way learned of 
Lee's surrender. They were then encamped 
at Raleigh until Johnston's surrender, after 
wliich they marched to Richmond and on to 
Washington, participating in the grand re- 
view at that city on the 25th of May, 1865. 
With his regiment Captain Holloway was 



mustered out and sent to Chicago to be 
paid off, having received no pay since the 
15th of the previous November. 

On the 3d of July. 1865, Captain Hol- 
knvay returned home. During his absence 
his brother Jesse and Mr. Henderson had 
conducted the mercantile business and after 
bis return the firm purchased the fiourmill 
in Georgetown, which our subject conduct- 
ed for six years. He is a Republican, hav- 
ing supported the party from its organiza- 
tion and in 1844 he voted for Henry Clay. 
He takes much interest in securing good 
government and is a friend of all public 
measures tending to promote the general 
good. Several times be has served as town- 
ship collector. He is a member of the? 
Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, 
who also belonged and was active in all 
lines of church work, died July 7, igoi. 
The Cajjtain belongs to Keyger Post. No. 
204, (i. A. R., of Georgetown. The regi- 
ment to which be belonged held ,1 re-union 
on the 3d of September, 1902, the anniver- 
sary of its muster into service. In his busi- 
ness affairs Captain Holloway has been (|uite 
successful, and to-day he owns a pleasant 
home and valuable farming land which he 

rents. 

♦-•-* 

LK ROY JONES, M. D. 

In r^Iarch, 1895, Dr. LeRoy Jones, lo- 
cated in Iloopeston. where he has since en- 
gaged in the practice of his profession with 
excellent success, having already gained a 
reputation which many an older physician 
might well envy. He was born in Milford. 
Iro(|ui^is county. Illinois, in 1863, a son of 
Henry and Sarah E. (Jones) Jones. His 
parents removed to Pettis county. IMissouri, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



7AI 



when the subject of this review was but 
four years of age, and the father has since 
carried on farming there. Both he and his 
wife are still living in Missouri and they 
reared a family of seven children, six of 
whom are yet living. 

Dr. Jones of this review spent the days 
of his boyhood and youth upon the old 
family homestead in Pettis county, and pur- 
sued his literary education in the public 
schools and in Westminster College at Ful- 
ton, Missouri, where he pursued a collegi- 
ate course. Determining to make the prac- 
tice of medicine his life work he began 
preparation for this calling as a student in 
the medical college at St. Louis, Missouri. 
in which he was graduated with the class 
of 1888. He entered upon practice in 
Greenbridge, Missouri, where he remained 
for two years and then removed to Indiana, 
settling at Pine Village, where he practiced 
for four years. On the expiration of that 
period he came to Hoopeston in March. 
1895, -^'^"^^ '^'^s remained here continuoush' 
since. 

In July, 1902, in Ann Arbor, Michi- 
gan. Dr. Jones was united in marriage to 
Miss ^largaret Van Ness Phelps, a native 
of Michigan, and they have a pleasant home 
in Hoopeston, while the hospitality of many 
of the best residents here is extended to 
them. They hold membership in the First 
Presbyterian church, taking an acti\e inter- 
est in this work and the Doctor is serving 
as chorister and as a teacher and assistan, 
superintendent in the Sunday-school. In 
politics he is a Democrat and is now serv- 
ing as a member of the board of health of 
Hoopeston. In the line of his profession 
he is connected with the Tri-County Medi- 
cal Society and the Illinois State Medical 
Society and his reading in the line of his 



chosen work has been broad and compre- 
hensive, making him well informed. His 
office located in the McFerren's Block was 
destroyed by fire when that building was 
swept away and now he has new and mod- 
ern furnishings of the latest appro\'ed pat- 
terns in his office. He has won the public 
confidence through the display of his skill 
and ability in handling many important 
cases, and now has a liberal and well mer- 
ited patronage. 



MRS. FRANCES RUSLING. 

Mrs. Frances Rusling. who resides at 
No. 405 Cherry street, in Danville, is a na- 
tive of Ohio, and a daughter of Benton and 
Frances Smith, both of whom are natives 
of Ohio, although they resided during the 
greater part of their lives in Spencer coun- 
ty, Indiana, where both passey away. Their 
daughter, Frances Smith, gave her hand in 
marriage to John Oliver, an agriculturist, 
who carried on farming near Dan^•ille and 
died in this county. Later she gave her 
hand in marriage to Henry Payne, who was 
widely and favorably known in this citv. 
He was born in Vermont and came to Dan- 
ville about 1875. baving in the meantime, 
however, resided in Lafayette, Indiana. 
There he was first married, his wife being 
Miss Gillen, who died in Danville. After 
removing- to this city Mr. Payne was em- 
ployed as a brakeman on the Wabash Rail- 
road and subsecpiently he followed garden- 
ing until his marriage to Mrs. Rusling. He 
then lived retired until his death, which oc- 
curred on the 6th of March. 1901. In July, 
1902, Mrs. Rusling married her present 
husband. George R. Rusling, who is a na- 



744 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



tive of England, and was a sailor on the 
Atlantic ocean for several years. In i860 
he took up his abode in America and when 
the Civil war broke out he enlisted for ser- 
vice in Company I, Twentieth Indiana In- 
fantry, in 1861. He participated in the fol- 
lowing engagements: Hatteras Island, 
battle of the Wilderness, Yorktown, \'ir- 
ginia ; Petersburg. \^irginia, and all through 
the eastern cani])aign. lie was wounded 
in the Wilderness, losing two fingers, and 
after the war he turned his attention to 
farming, which he followed in the south for 
a few years. He then came to Danville, 
where he has since lived retired. He owns, 
however, a lArge farm in .\labama and was 
verv .successful in his agricultural pursuits, 
acquiring a richly merited competence 
through his successful control of his farm- 
ing interests. ]\Irs. Rusling is a member 
of the First Church of Chri.st of Danville 
She owns a nice little home at No. 405 
Cherrv street and is well known in this 
citv. where she has resided for many years, 
her manv womanly ((ualities and kindliness 
of heart gaining for her the friendship of a 
large number of those with whom she has 
come in contact. 



LEWIS I\I. TH©MPSON. 

From the days of his infancy down to 
the present Lewis M. Thompson has been 
a resident of Vermilion county. This 
covers the i)eriod of a boyhood spent amid 
frontier conditions, the period of mature 
manhood devoted to agricultural pursuits 
when the county had become possessed of 
modern improvements and the comforts of 
civilization, .ind the period of the later-day 
progress in which he is now living retired 



from further labor — a man of seventy-four 
years, respected and honored because of a 
life of industry, integrity and uprightness. 
Mr. 'J'hompson was born in Dearborn 
county, Indiana, in 1829, a son of John and 
Esther (Payne) Thompson. The father 
was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 
1797, and was of Irish descent. In his 
early life he engaged in teaching .school 
and was a well informed man, but during 
the greater part of his business career he 
made farming his principal occupation, al- 
though to some extent he dealt in real es- 
tate. About 18.23, in Dearborn county, In- 
diana, he married F,sther Payne, and in 
1830 they came to this county, settling near 
Danville, wlierc Mr. Thompson l>ecame the 
owner of three hundred acres of land, a 
\r,irt of which lie secured from the govern- 
ment. This was all unbroken, not a furrow 
having been turned upon the tract, and his 
labors brought the place under a high state 
of cultivation, transforming it into a valu- 
able farm. The first house on the place was 
a log cabin, wliich was occupied by the fam- 
ily until 1844, when a two story frame 
structure was erected. It stood until 1902, 
when a handsome residence was built by a 
son of our subject. This land has been in 
possession of the family continuously since 
1830. John Thom])son was a man of UKax 
than ordinary capability and he took an ac- 
tive part in the early .settlement and develop- 
ment of the county. lie also acquired con- 
siderable property, his labors being re- 
warded with success. In politics he was a 
Whig and at one time served as county 
commissioner. I Ic was also one of the 
charter members of the Danville Lodge of 
Masons and tilled many offices therein. 
Both he and his wife attended the Method- 
ist church. He died in 1861. at the age of 




L. M. THOMPSON. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



747 



sixt}'-five }'ears, and her death occurred in 
Danville, in 1899, at the advanced age of 
ninety-three years. Both were laid to rest 
in the Danville cemetery. They were the 
parents of twelve children, of whom four 
died in infancy, while eight reached years of 
maturity, namely : Melissa, Martha, Lewis, 
S. D., Philander, ]Mary, Harriet and John, 
and of these four are now living". 

In the district schools of \^ermilion 
county Lewis M. Thompson was educated 
and amid the scenes of pioneer life he was 
reared. He assisted his father in the work 
of the home farm up to the time of his mar- 
riage, which occurred August 17, 1848, 
Miss Judith Ann Burroughs becoming his 
wife. She was a native of Ripley county, 
Indiana, and by her marriage became the 
mother of eight children. Viola, the eldest, 
is the wife of \V. H. Chamberlain, who is 
a professor in the schools of Chicago ; Mary 
A. is the wife of Hon. Charles A. Allen. 
J. G. Thompson, who was graduated in the 
law department of the State University of 
Michigan, in the class of 1881, became iden- 
tified in practice with W. R. Lawrence. He 
was appointed and served for one term as 
prosecuting attorney and on the expiration 
of that service was elected county judge, 
when only twenty-seven years of age. 
Later he was appointed assistant United 
States attorney general by President Mc- 
Kinley and has since remained in that posi- 
tion, which his legal learning and marked 
ability well qualifiy him to fill. Esther is 
the wife of A. P. Green, a leading business 
man of Attica. Lena is the wife of A. E. 
Ray, a prominent shoe dealer of Attica. 
Harriet is the wife of J. W. Morrow, a 
prominent druggist of Danville. The 
other two children have passed away, and 
the mother is also deceased. In 1891 Mr. 
Thompson was again married, his second 



union being with Mrs. Belle Bales, a daugh- 
ter of John Xewlin, a pioneer of this coun- 
ty, who resided near Georgetown. He was 
a saddler and followed his trade for many 
years. He also served as postmaster and 
justice of the peace through a long period 
and was an influential citizen of his locality. 
A native of North Carolina, born in 181 3, 
he came to Danville in 1830 and was there- 
fore one of -the early settlers. For his first 
wife he married Asenath Henderson and 
his second wife was Verona Newlin, who 
became the mother of Mrs. Thompson. He 
was also married a third time. The parents 
"of Mrs. Thompson were earnest Christian 
people and the father belonged to the So- 
ciety of Friends or Quakers and the mother 
to the Methodist church. His death oc- 
curred in Danville, in 1879. when he was 
seventy-five years of age. The daughter, 
Belle, was first married to C. P. Bales, and 
they had two children : LeRoy, who is 
head nurse in the Insane Hospital at Kan- 
kakee, Illinois ; and Ehvood, an operator on 
the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad. 

Mr. Thompson made his first purchase 
of land in 1848, becoming owner of a tract 
of one hundred and sixty acres near Ross- 
ville. This was all raw and unimproved, 
but he placed it imder a high state of culti- 
vation, erected excellent buildings and 
reared his children upon the farm which 
he there developed. At one time he owned 
seven hundred acres, constituting a very 
valuable property, but during the financial 
panic of 1873, because of his endorsement 
of paper for others, he suffered a loss of 
ten thousand dollars. He now has about 
one hundred acres in Vermilion county and 
a half section in Fulton county, Indiana, 
and he likewise owns property in Rossville, 
where he is now living retired. Mr. Thomp- 
son is a charter member of Rossville Lodge, 



748 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



I. O. O. F., \\liicli was organized in 1858. 
In liis political views he is a Republican 
and in religious faith his wife is a Method- 
ist. He has served * as assessor, collector 
and in other township offices, and has ever 
been obser\atil of his duties of citizenship, 
fully meeting every oliligation which thus 
devolves upon him and putting forth effect- 
ive effort for the welfare and progress of 
the county w hich has been his home through 
more than three score years and ten. He 
is to-day one of the oldest settlers of this 
locality and his mind carries the impress of 
the early annals of this section of the state 
as well as the history of its later-day prog- 
ress and improvement. 



D. C. BRANDON. 



D. C. Brandon is a prosperous farmer 
and one well and favorably known in \^er- 
milion county. In the years of an active 
business career his course has ever been 
honorable and upright and his energy and 
indefatigable industry have brought to him 
creditable and gratifying success. He w'as 
born in Jefferson, Indiana, February 16, 
1854, and is a son of Robert Brandon, a 
nati\e of PenusyKania. 'i'lie grandfather, 
John Brandon, was burn in Virginia and 
came of a family of Scotch-Irish de.scent. 
By his marriage he had two sons and four 
daughters, and tliree of the daughters are 
now living, namely: Henrietta, the wife 
of Nicholas Manville, of Indianapolis ; Eliz- 
abeth, the wife of Cahill Monroe, of Oak- 
w-ood township; and Susan, the wife of Ed- 
ward Bair of Madison, Indiana. After ar- 
riving at years of maturity Robert Brandon 
wedtled Marv Gordon, a relative of the fa- 



mous General Gordon, and a native of the 
Hoosier state. Her father was James Gor- 
don, a representative of a family promi- 
nently and honorably identified with im- 
portant affairs throughout the history of 
America. Mr. and Mrs. Brandon were 
married in Indiana ami there the father of 
our subject engaged in farming. He pur- 
chased and operated a tract of land in Jef- 
ferson county and is now living a retired 
life in Madison, Indiana, having in the 
years of his former toil acquired a com- 
petence W'hich enables him to rest from fur- 
ther lalx^r. In his political affiliatians he 
is a Democrat, and has held a number of 
county and township offices. He belongs to 
the Methodist Episcopal church and his life 
has e\'er been in consistent harmony with 
its principles. In 1899 '^^ ^^'^^ called upon 
to mourn the loss of his wife. One of their 
sons, George Brandon, enlisted in the Thir- 
ty-sixth Indiana Infantry during the Civil 
war and served for three years and three 
months. He then entered the regular army, 
ser\ing for three years, and later he was 
killed in a railroad accident. John Bran- 
don, another brother of our subject, went 
to the Civil war as a substitute for his father 
and served until the close of hostilities. In 
the family were nine children : John, who 
wedded Mary Taylor, In' whom he has two 
children, resides in Madison, Indiana. 
George died at the age of twenty-eight 
years. Eli, who wedded Emma Smith and 
has one child, is living in Sidell township. 
Lee died .it the age of t\\eiU\-six years. 
Nancy is the w-ife of William Driggs, of 
Madison. Indiana, and has six children. D. 
C. is the next younger. Maria is the wife 
of Arch I'agg, of Madison, Indiana, and 
has one son and five daughters. Louvania 
is the wife of William Kestler of Madison, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



749 



Indiana, and they have two children. Ida 
the wife of James McCance, of Madison. 
Indiana, has one child. 

D. C. Brandon pursued his education in 
the schools of Jefferson county, Indiana, 
working upon the home farm through the 
summer months while in the winter season 
he was a student. He left school, however, 
at the age of seventeen years and after that 
gave his entire attention to the task of cul- 
tivating his father's land. In 1872 he came 
to Illinois, locating in Westville, Vermilion 
county, where he first worked by the month 
as a farm hand. He then rented the Tur- 
ner Momen farm in Vance township and 
about this time he was married and estab- 
lished a home of his own. It was on the 
20th of September, 1876, in Danville, that 
Mr. Brandon wedded Mary Jane Forein, 
who was born in Vermilion county, July 
20, 1854, a daughter of Dennis Forein. 
whose birth occurred in county Cork, Ire- 
land. His father also bore the name 
of Dennis Forein, and was a native of the 
Emerald Isle. The father of Mrs. Brandon 
was united in marriage to Margaret Clif- 
ton, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of 
Thomas Clifton, who was likewise born in 
the Buckeye state and whose family num- 
bered seven children. Mr. Forein was a 
farmer by occupation and in the year i86j 
came to Vermilion county, where for three 
years he rented land. He then purchased 
a farm in Catlin township, making it his 
home until his death, which occurred Aug- 
ust 2, 1895. He was a communicant of the 
Catholic church, and was buried in the 
Catholic cemetery at Danville. His widow 
is now living on the old homestead in Cat- 
lin township. In the family were five chil- 
dren : Mrs. Brandon; Elizabeth, the wife 
of William Mann of Blue Mound, Catlin 



township, by whom she has five children; 
Katie, the wife of Edward Boyle, of Catlin 
township, by whom she has nine children ; 
Dennis, who married Aliss ]\I. Soevers, by 
whom she has three .sons, and also lives in 
Catlin township; and Hannah, the wife of 
Elijah Sowers, of the same township, by 
whom she has one child. 

After his marriage Mr. Brandon located 
on the Turner Momen farm, where he lived 
for a year and then removed to the Pratt 
farm of forty acres, on which he lived for 
two years. His next home was on the Will- 
iam Davis farm, where he resided for ten 
years. In 1887 he purchased the Douglas 
farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on 
section 17 in V'ance township, and three 
years later he bought forty acres on section 
19. This property he has improved and 
to-day it is a very valuable farm. In 1901 
he built a splendid residence, in Oueen Anne 
style, at a cost of thirty-five hundred dol- 
lars, and he now has one of the best 
equipped farms in Vermilion county. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Brandon 
has been blessed with nine children, all of 
whom are still under the parental roof, 
namel}- : Robert E., wiio was born June 
I, 1S77; Albert, born September 21, 1881 ; 
Edward, born October 25. 1882; Stella, 
born January 6, 1S86; Herman. Ijorn Jan- 
uary 17, 1888; Ralph, born February i, 
1890; Mary, born February 5, 1893; Dav- 
id, born June 30, 1897; and Mildred, who 
was born April 8, 1901. 

In his political views ^Ir. Brandon is 
a Democrat and keeps well informed on the 
questions and issues of the day. He has 
served as road commissioner and school di- 
rector, and fraternally he is connected with 
the Court of Honor and the Modern Wood- 
men of i'Vmerica. He also belongs to the 



750 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Methodist Episcopal church, in wliicli he 
is now serving as steward. Having long 
resided in tiiis county .Mr. lirandon lias be- 
come widely known and the qualities of an 
upriglit manhood have gained for him the 
unqualified confidence of those with whom 
he has been associated. His life has been 
one of unremitting diligence and his busi- 
ness capability ■ and executive force have 
brought to him creditable and gratifying 
success. His farm with its splcnditl im- 
pro\ements is the visible evidence of his 
life of enterprise and his attractive home 
stands as a monument to his earnest toil. 



SAMUEL .\. ML'Ml'HRKY. M. D. 

Dr. Samuel .\. Humphrey, deceased, 
was one of the prominent physicans and 
druggists of Danville who became a resi- 
dent of this city in 1844, when it was but 
a small town giving little promise of its 
future development ruid progress. The 
Doctor was a native of Nelson county, Ken- 
tucky, born May 3, 1823, his parents being 
Samuel and Margaret Humphrey, who al- 
ways lived in Xelson count}', where the fa- 
ther carried on farming. Both he antl his 
wife i)assed awa_\- there. 

Dr. Humphrey spent the years of his 
minority in the Blue Grass state and ac- 
quired his education in its public schools. 
When twen.ty-one years of age, however, 
he left his old home and came to Illinois, 
having an uncle living in Vermilion county. 
This caused him to make his way to Dan- 
ville and at once he purchased a farm on 
what is known as Blue Grass prairie. There 
he devoted his energies to agricultural ])ur- 
suits for a year, after which he took up his 
abode in Danville, for he had determined to 



abandon the plow in order to enter profes- 
sional life, believing that the practice of 
medicine would prove a congenial occupa- 
tion and at the same time yield him a good 
li\ing. He took up the study of medicine 
under the direction of Dr. Courtney, who 
directed his reading for some time. He af- 
terward entered the Medical School at Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, and was there graduated on 
the 26th of February, 1848, receiving a 
certificate to practice, which is now in the 
possession of his widow. 

Dr. Humphrey then returned to Dan- 
ville and not onl_\- began the work of 
alleviating human suffering, but also estab- 
lished a drug store on Main street and con- 
tinued in the compounding of medicines 
and the sale of drugs in connection with 
the practice of his chosen profession. He 
also established a dry goods store in the 
city, devoting his time and energies to the 
successful conduct of his three fold business 
throughout his remaining days. The prac- 
tice of medicine, however, was his chief 
pursuit and he always kept thoroughly in- 
formed concerning the advanced thought 
made by the profession and utilized his in- 
creased knowledge for the benefit of his fel- 
low men. I Ic became the trusted and lo\ed 
physician in many a household and his work 
was attended with excellent results. 

The Doctor was married in X'ermilion 
county to Miss Mary Milton, also a native 
of Xelson county, Kentucky, born July 29, 
1824, a daughter of William and Ellen Mil- 
ton. Her father dicil in Kentucky and her 
mother afterwards became the wife of James 
Partlow, who removed to \'ermilion county 
at a very early day, settling on a farm at 
Blue (irass, where he and his wife lived 
throughout the remainder of their lives. 
.Mr, I'artlow devoting his energies to the 
production of grain with excellent .success. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



753 



The marriage of Dr. Humphrey and his 
wife was blessed witli one daughter, Mar- 
garet Ellen, who became the wife of John 
Banta, a resident of Danville, but Mrs. Banta 
died July i^, 1865. 

In his political views Dr. Humphrey 
was an earnest Republican and neither fear 
nor favor coukl swerve him from a cause 
which he believed to be right. He died Au- 
gust 12, 1864, in the faith of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, of wliich he had long been 
a consistent and zealous member. His life 
was exer upright, his strong characteristics 
being those which commended him to the 
confidence and respect of his fellowmen. In 
the practice of his profession he had oppor- 
tunity to do much good and he ditl it when- 
ever the opportunity came, for he was a 
man of broad humanitarian principles. Mrs. 
Humphrey, who still survives her husband. 
resides with her step-sister. Mrs. Partlow 
at No. 713 North Hazel street. She. too, 
has long lieen a devoted member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and her many 
excellent traits of heart and mind have 
gained for her the warm friendship of those 
with whom she has been brought in con- 
tact. 

< ■ » 

WILLIAM C. HAWKINS. 

William C. Hawkins is a well known 
farmer of Vermilion county, residing on 
section 20. in Jamaica township. He was 
born in Edgar county. Illinois, March 21. 
1865, and is a son of Edmond L. and Ma- 
linda (James) Hawkins, both natives of 
Edgar county, where they were reared and 
married, Edmond L. Hawkins was the son 
of William, a native of Kentucky, and 
Charlotte (Drake) Hawkins, a nati\e of 
Ohio. William Hawkins, the father of 

30 



Edmund L., was a son of Crosby Hawkins, 
who came to America from Irelaufl. After 
the death of his first wife William Hawkins 
married Nancy Philips, a native of Indiana. 
He was the father of six children, four of 
whom are }et li\ing: Henry, of Nebraska; 
Sarah, the wife of John McCrowe, of Dan- 
ville, Illinois; Edmund L., the father of 
our subject; and Abraham, of Metcalf, 
Edgar county, Illinois. Edmond L. Haw- 
kins followed carpentering and worked at 
his trade near Bloomfield, Illinois. He 
built many residences of that place, which 
still stand as monuments to his handiwork 
and skill. He removed to Danville in 1866 
and engaged in contracting and carpenter- 
ing. On the expiration of two years he re- 
moved to a farm north of Fithian, Illinois. 
There he lived for four years and then re- 
moved to Fairmount, Illinois. The mother 
died in June. 1901, and the father is now 
making bis home with his son William C. 
He is a memlier of the Christian church and 
is a stanch Democrat. His life has been 
actively and usefully spent and he has done 
much toward the material improvement 
and development of the communities in 
which he has lived, besides taking a deep 
interest in the moral and intellectual growth 
thereof. He and his wife were the parents 
of six cb.ildren, four girls and two boys. 
Minnie is the wife of Edward Boggers and 
resides in Des IMoines, Iowa. They have 
five children. The subject of this review is 
the second in order of birth. Edmond S.. 
born December 25, 1866, was a clerk and 
resided in Fairmount, Illinois. He was 
married to Arab Jakeway. of Sidney, Illinois, 
and died on the 21st of April, 1898. He 
commenced clerking for C. V. Tilton, of 
Fairmount, and remained with him for 
eight years. He then worked for J. M. Mc- 
Cabe, for one vear and next went to Cham- 



754 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



paign, Jllinuis, entering the employ of Jos- 
eph Kulm & Son. Here he remained for 
four years, wlien on account of faihng 
health he was obliged to resign his posi- 
tion. He went to Colorado in .\pril, 1897. 
and retiu'ned to Sidney, Illinois, in Octo- 
ber. There his death occurred. He became 
a member of the Cliristian church in l"eb- 
ruary, 1894. He was a member of Cham- 
paign Lodge, Modern Woodmen of Amer- 
ica. The funeral services were held in the 
Methodist Episcopal church, Friday, April 
22, 1898, the services being conducted by 
the Rev. S. S. Jones. His remains were in- 
terred in Greenview cemetery at Fair- 
mount. Etta M. married Edward Pope. 
They have three children and reside near 
Guthrie, Oklahoma. Lilly married H. A. 
.Stearns, has two children and resides in 
Guthrie, Oklahoma. Gertrude, born July 
6, 1873, was married at Fairmount, Illinois, 
to William Baughman. The ceremony took 
place June 2, 1895, ^""^ ^^''"^s performed by 
Rev. S. S. Jones, of Danville. They re- 
sided at 216 East Madison .street, in Dan- 
ville, Illinois, at the time of her death, 
which occurred at 5 130 Monday evening, 
March 8, 1897. Mrs. Baughman was a 
most efficient worker in the Christian 
church, was president of the Endeavor So- 
ciety, was Sunday-school teacher and leader 
of the choir. Her funeral services were 
lield from the Baptist church. Rev. S. S. 
Jones officiating. Her remains were In- 
terred in Greenview cemetery. When she 
died the conmumity lost an exemplary 
Christian woman, whose death was deeply 
mourned 1>y many friends as well as her 
immediate family. 

In the common .schools of Fairmount, 
Illinois, William C. Hawkins received his 
education, continuing therein until he was 



.seventeen years of age. He then began 
farming, renting forty acres of land and 
thus getting a start in life. He was mar- 
ried Se])tember 7. 1886, in \*ance township, 
to Miss Mabel Witherspoon, who was Ijorn 
in \'ance township. May 19, 1866. She 
was the daughter of \\'illiam P. Wither- 
spoon, whose family historv is gi\en else- 
where on the Jiages of this work. Unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins have been born two 
children, Nina Pearl, born January lo, 
1892, and Emma W., born March 2^1. 1894. 
After his marriage Mr. Hawkins locat- 
ed in Edgar county, where he remained for 
six months. He then removed to Fair- 
mount, remaining there for two months, 
after which time he removed to the farm he 
now occupies. He is the owner of one hun- 
dred and twenty acres of very valuable 
farming land, the fields of which are well 
cultivated, it being one of the best farms in 
Jamaica township. He raises a high grade 
of stock, which he sells on the market at a 
good price. He is a very industrious man 
and has been acti\e in public affairs. He 
served as asses.sor of the township for two 
years and is now acting as supervisor. His 
religions faith is indicated by his member- 
ship in llie Methodist Episcopal church, 
where he is acting as trustee. Fraternally 
he is connected with the Court of Honor 
and in politics is a Democrat. A public- 
spirited man he is well known and highly 
respected througlniut this part of \*ermilion 
count V. 



ROBERT TERRELL. 

Robert Terrell is a pioneer settler of 
\'ermilion county, of 1858, and is a witness 
of the changes which have occurred here. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



755 



He has seen the development which has 
made this portion of the state a rich agri- 
cultural district and the center of extensive 
and important industrial and commercial 
concerns. Through many years he actively 
carried on farm work, but is now living re- 
tired and the competence which enables him 
to enjoy this rest was acquired entirely from 
his own efiforts. 

Mr. Terrell was born in county Kings, 
Ireland, on the 7th of May, 1844, a son of 
John and Elizabeth (Shouldice) Terrell, 
who were likewise natives of the Emerald 
Isle. The father died about three months 
before the birth of our subject and the 
mother, long surviving him, passed away 
in 1894, in Grant township, Vermilion 
county. Our subject now has one living 
brother, James, who resides near Rochester, 
Indiana. Originally there were five boys 
in the family. 

Robert Terrell spent the first fourteen 
years of his life in the country of his na- 
tivity, and then bade adieu to friends in his 
native land. He sailed for the new world, 
landing at New York in 1858. From there 
he made his way to Connecticut, where he 
was engaged in farm work for six months. 
In the fall of 1858 he arrived in Vermilion 
county, finding here broad stretches of 
prairie over which the plow had never made 
its way. Wolves were killed in great num- 
bers during the winter and there were many 
deer, so that the tables of the early settlers 
were largely supplied with venison. Mr. 
Terrell settled in Ross township, a mile east 
of the town of Rossville, where he pur- 
chased one hundred and twenty acres of 
land, for which he paid twenty dollars per 
acre. His purchase, however, was not 
made until 1882, and prior to that time he 
had operated rented land. As early as 1867 



he bought land in Grant township, for 
which he paid ten dollars per acre, after- 
ward selling it at an advance of six dollars 
per acre. He lived upon that place for two 
years and the money with which he paid for 
his property he earned by herding cattle at 
tifty dollars per month. In those days there 
were few fences over the prairie, and the 
women of the household oftentimes had to 
leave their indoor labor in order to drive 
the stock from the fields. Dogs were also 
efficient in this way and in a measure did 
away with the necessity of fences. W^hen 
I\Ir. Terrell purchased his Ross township 
property he found it partially improved, 
but since that time he has laid many rods 
of tiling and has developed a model farm 
by the erection of good buildings and by 
the planting of fruit trees, the digging of a 
well and the cultivation of the fields. His 
property is to-day one of the best improved 
farms of like size in Vermilion county. On 
the 1 8th of April, 1899, however, he left 
the farm and came to Hoopeston, where 
he erected his present home at a cost of 
sixteen hundred dollars, one of his sons 
now li\-ing upon the home place. 

On the 3d of July, 1866, in Williams- 
port, Warren county, Indiana, Mr. Terrell 
was united in marriage to ]\Iiss Ellen Ross, 
who was born in Brown county, Ohio, in 
1849, ^ daughter of Josiah and Emily 
(Ferguson) Ross. Her father died in 1885, 
but her mother is still living in Hoopeston 
at the advanced age of eighty-five years, 
her birth having occurred in 181 7. Mr. 
Ross carried on merchandising until about 
1862, when he took up his abode upon a 
farm in Miami county, Ohio, and subse- 
quently removed to Williamsport. Indiana, 
where he lived until his death. In his fam- 
ily were five children who are still living: 



756 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Sliedrick, of Williamsport. Indiana; Ellis, 
of Clarion, that state; Mrs. Malinda Har- 
ris, whose home is south of Rossville; and 
Mrs. Anna (jocking, of Hoopeston. The 
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Terrell has been 
blessed with se\en children, of whom five 
are yet living: James; Maude, the wife of 
I'eter Redmond, of Attica, Indiana: Jo- 
siah, who wedded Mary Miller and is liv- 
ing on the old home place: Robert, who 
married Addie Cory and resides in Hoope- 
ston; and Dessie, the wife of Lemuel 
Streets, of Hoopeston, who was a soldier 
in the Spanish-.\merican war, serving in 
Battery A, of l)an\ille. in I'orto Rico. 
Since his return he has wedded the young- 
est (laughter of Mr. and Mrs. Terrell. The 
members of the family who have passed 
away are: John, who died at the age of 
two years, and Herbert, wlici died at the 
age (^f fi\e years. 

Mr. Terrell has ever l)cen a loyal citi- 
zen of his adopted land and at the time of 
the Civil war he manifested his patriotic 
spirit by enlisting in 1863 as a member of 
Company E. Third Indiana C;i\alr\-. with 
which he served until the close of the war. 
He was under the command of Captain 
Thompson, Colonel Chapman ;nid (ieneral 
Custer, and was in the Cavalrx- C'orjjs nf the 
Eastern Department along the i'otomac. 
He was taken prisoner at Cedar Creek, Vir- 
ginia, October 15, 1864, and was in Libby 
prison at Richmond, until March. 1865. He 
participated in the battles of Winchester. 
Antietam. the Wilderness, Lookout Moun- 
tain. Rappahannock Courthouse, ^'ellow 
Tavern, Cedar Creek and a numl)er of skir- 
mishes. He was wounded in the engage- 
ment at Cedar Creek, where his horse was 
shot from under him ;nid brnke his arm 
by falling upon him, thus injuring his 



s])inal c<ird, but he was carried to prison 
without surgical aid being rendered him, 
and the injiu-ies which he thus received left 
him a cripple. After being liberated fmni 
the southern prison he was granted a fur- 
lough and returned home, but rejoined the 
army in 1865, although he was never agin 
in active field duty. .\t Indianapolis he 
was mustered out and honorably dis- 
charged. The injuries which he sustained 
have incapacitated him for farm labor dur- 
ing the last twenty years, and as his sons 
grew up they relieved him from the active 
work of the fields, although he has since 
successfully superintended the cultivation 
of his farm. Many a time has his wife gone 
out in the winter to feed the stock and do 
other hard work because of Mr. Terrell's 
disability, e\-en following the jjIow in the 
s])ring before her sons were old enough to 
do the work. This worthy couple have 
seen all of the hardships and trials of pio- 
neer life but are now lixing in comfortable 
and honorable retirement in enjovment of 
the rest which they ha\'e indeed well earned. 
In politics Mr. Terrell has always been a 
Rei)ublican. and he belongs to the Grand 
.\rmy of the Republic. He and his wife 
attend services in the Christian church but 
arc not members of the denomination. Their 
many friends throughout \'ermiliou county 
would consider this work incomplete with- 
out mention of these highly esteemed peo- 
])le. and it is with jileasure that we ])resent 
to our readers the record of their li\es. 



TOHN PARTLOW 



John Partlow was well known to the 
early .settlers of Danville for his family was 
foundeil here at an earlv dav, .'ind be was 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



761 



one of the native sons of the county, his 
birth having occurred at Blue Grass. His 
parents were James and Ellen (Milton) 
Partlow. who are mentioned in connection 
with the sketch of Samuel A. Humphrey, 
given abo\e. To the work of farm life 
John Partlow of this review was reared and 
his labors in early youth well prepared him 
to carry on business on his own account 
when he reached manhood. After attain- 
ing his majority he chose as a companion 
and helpmate for life's journey Miss 
Frances Giddings. a native of England and 
a daughter of ^^'illiam and Caroline Gid- 
dings. who came to America in 1842. They 
settled in Danville antl the father was 
among the first business men of the city. 
He was a wagon and carriage manufacturer 
and also engaged in the manufacture of 
farming implements, conducting his indus- 
try with success for many years. The prod- 
ucts of his factory found a ready sale 
among the citizens of this portion of the 
state antl he resided in Danville until his 
death. Members of the Giddings family 
still live in Danville and the family has long 
been regarded as one of prominence in Ver- 
milion county worthy of all respect. Unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Partlow were bora two chil- 
dren : Elmer, who is now employed in the 
Wright Mill of Danville; and Charles, who 
died May 28, 1902. 

In early life John Partlow w'as engaged 
in clerking in the dry-goods and drug store 
owned by Dr. Humphrey. He acceptably 
served in that capacity and later he pur- 
chased a farm at the north edge of Dan- 
ville, taking up his abode on that property. 
There he successfully carried on agricul- 
tural pursuits for many years and placed 
his land under a very high state of culti^ 
vation. sii that the rich fields returned to 
him gulden harvests. He died December 



8, 1896, and the community mourned the 
loss of a valued citizen, for he was always 
trustworthy and faithful in the performance 
of the various duties and obligations of life. 
After her husband's death Mrs. Partlow 
removed to Danville and purchased her 
present property, whereon she is now li\-ing 
with Mrs. Humphrey at No. 713 North 
Hazel street. She still owns the farm of 
twenty-six acres bordering on Vorhees 
street at the north edge of Danville and it 
is now very valuable land. 



PARK T. MARTIN. 

Park T. Martin, now deceased, was well 
known in Danville where for many years he 
was associated with journalistic interests 
and also capably served as justice of the 
peace for a considerable period. A native 
of Licking county, Ohio, he was bom 
March i, 1838. his parents being Mark D. 
and Julia (Ward) Martin, both of whom 
were natives of Ohio. The father was a 
farmer and stock-raiser and followed that 
pursuit throughout the greater part of his 
life, and came to Illinois and farmed there 
for years and also conducted a hotel in Shel- 
byville. On leaving the Buckeye state he 
took up his abode in Terre Haute, Indiana, 
where he lived retired until his death, which 
occurred May 13, 1901. and his wife 
is living in that city. 

Park T. Martin, whose name begins 
this record, was indebted to the common- 
school system of his native county for the 
educational privileges which prepared him 
for life's practical and responsible duties. 
He resided at various times in towns in 
Ohio and Illinois, and eventually he took 
up his residence in Shelbyville, Illinois, 



762 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



where lie remained for some time, teacliing 
school and editing papers for several years. 
While living there he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Ellen Huher, a native of 
Fairfield. Ohio, and a daughter of Henry 
Ruber, who was a farmer of that state, 
whence he removed tii Illinois, taking up his 
abode in Shelbyville. There he enjoyed a 
well merited rest until called to the home 
beyond. I'nto y\v. and Mrs. Martin were 
Ixirn five children: Clarence, who died in 
childhood: Rol>ert \\'., who is an enterpris- 
ing and progressive citizen of Danville, now 
serving as assistant cashier of the Second 
National Bank: Walter, who is city engi- 
neer of Danville: Fred S., who is employed 
by the Bradstreet Company of Chicago; 
and Herbert L., who was employed in the 
office of the Union Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany at Omaha. Nebraska, but now by the 
electric light company. 

In 1873 Mr. ^Martin removed from 
Shelbvville to Danville, where he continued 
his residence until his death. He at once 
took charge of The Commercial, of which 
he was the editor for several years, and un- 
der his administration this became a popu- 
lar and well patronized journal. He after- 
ward established a newspaper of his own. 
called the Saturday Opinion, which he con- 
ducted for a few years. Later he served as 
bookkeeper in several business houses of 
the city and was then made justice of the 
peace, serving in that position until his 
health failed, after which he lived retired 
until his death, which occurred Jnne 30. 
1900. In political affairs he was prominent 
and for several years he repre.sented his 
ward as a member of the board of aldermen 
of Danville. He always voted with the Re- 
publican party and manifested the interest 
of a loyal citizen in questions pertaining to 
the gaieral good. He held membership in 



the First Presbyterian church, to which his 
wife Ijelongs, and in all life's relations he 
was known as a man of sterling honor and 
integrity, possessing commendable traits of 
character, which drew to him the regard 
and good will uf his fellow men. Mrs. Mar- 
tin, who is an estimable lady and has many 
friends in Danville, owns and occupies a 
beautiful home at No. 516 West Harri.son 

street. 

■» « » 

MARTIN H. WATSON. 

When death claimed Martin H. Watson 
on the 13th of Sei)tember, 1888, the com- 
munity lost a valued citizen, the family a 
devoted husband and father, and his friends 
a companion whose loyalty was never ques- 
tioned. He was born in X'ermilion county 
in 1840 and always lived within Us borders. 
He had three brothers and a sister: John. 
George, Thomas and T^lrs. Minerva Henry. 

In his early life Mr. Watson resided 
east of Danville and after his marriage came 
to the farm in Pilot township, upon which 
his widow yet resides. He was married in 
the city of Danville in 1859 to Miss Mar- 
tha A. Cunningham, whose birth occurred 
in Fountain county, Indiana, in 1842. her 
parents removing to Illinois when she was 
but four years of age. Both her father and 
mother are now deceased. She had two 
brothers and two sisters : Mrs. Eliza Wor- 
ley, a resident of Nebraska; Mrs. Mari 
Brewer, whose home is near Fairmount : 
and James and Nicholas Cunningham, both 
of whom are residents of Danville. 

When Mr. Watson was married he 
owned one hundred and sixty acres of land 
but as time passed and his financial re- 
sources increased as the result of his dili- 
gence and enterprise he added to his prop- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



763 



erty until he was the possessor of four hun- 
dred and twenty acres of valuable land. His 
life was one of earnest labor. The place 
was all wild when he took up his abode 
thereon and his first purchase was made 
four dollars and seventy-five caits per acre. 
With characteristic energy he began the de- 
velopment of his "farm and in course of 
time transformed the raw tract into a high- 
ly cultivated farm. He thoroughly under- 
stood farming in every department, and his 
work, directed by good judgment, brought 
to him a comfortable competence. In his 
religious faith Mr. Watson was a Baptist 
and in politics he was a Democrat. He 
served as a road commissioner of his dis- 
trict and also as a school director and took 
a deep and active interest in everything per- 
taining to public progress and advance- 
ment. He was trustworthy and reliable in 
his business afifairs and all who knew him 
entertained for him high regard because his 
life was in harmony with missionary prin- 
ciples. 

Unto ]\Ir. and ]\Irs. Watson were born 
eleven children, of whom ten are now liv- 
ing: Mrs. Xannie Yeoman, Clement S., 
Mrs. Rosa Frederick, Owen G., Mrs. Cora 
McCoy, Frank, Mrs. Inez Jenkins, Mrs. 
Estella Brush, Willey and Martin who is 
living with his widowed mother upon the 
home farm and operates the land. When 
death claimed jNIr. W'atson he was laid to 
rest in Spring Hill cemetery at Danville, 
but though fourteen years have since come 
and gone his memory is still cherished by 
those whcT knew him. But three of the chil- 
dren of the family were married at the time 
of the father's death and Mrs. Watson care- 
fully and tenderly reared the others, pro- 
viding them with good educational privi- 
leges and caring for them until they went 



to homes of their own. She has displayed 
good business ability in the management of 
the home property, adding some to her 
original estate, and she now owns one hun- 
dred and fifty acres of rich land, which is 
very productive and returns to her a good 
income. Possessing many excellent traits 
of heart and mind she, like her husband, 
has a large circle of warm friends. 



GEORGE W. DARR. 

George W. Darr was torn in Parke 
county, Indiana, August 6, 1853, and is a 
son of John H. and Rebecca (Collings) 
Darr, the former a native of North Car- 
olina and the latter of Kentucky. John H. 
Darr was a son of David Darr, who also 
was born in North Carolina and removed 
to Indiana, where he spent the remaining 
years of his life. In his political views he 
was a Democrat. John H. Darr removed 
with his parents from North Carolina to 
Parke county, Indiana, and was there mar- 
ried to Rebecca Collings, who had come 
to Indiana from Kentucky with her parents 
when she was but three years of age. They 
made the journey on horseback and she 
rode behind her mother the entire distance. 
John H. Darr followed farming throughout 
the active years of his life and spent his 
remaining days in Parke county, Indiana, 
where his death occurred Ma)' 19, 1859. 
He was a member of the German Lutheran 
church and politically gave his support to 
the Democratic party, but always refused 
to hold ofifice. His wife is still living with 
the subject of this review, at the age of 
seventy years. Besides her son George W. 
she has one daughter, Sarah, the wife of 



704 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



John R. Maler. a resident of Danviile, Illi- 
nois. They have one child. Grace. 

George W. Darr spent his boyhood days 
iijjon the home farm in Parke county. In- 
diana. In tlic winter mnnths he attended 
district school No. 4, and in the summer 
seasons he worked u[)on the farm. His 
mother removed with her children to Ver- 
milion county when he was thirteen years 
of age, going to the farm of his uncle, about 
one mile northeast of their present home, 
which they purchased in 1869. Here he 
also attended the Dougherty school, assist- 
ing his mother on the farm at the same 
time. He remained with his mother, as- 
sisting her on the farm until twenty-one 
years of age, when he jjurchased his 
mother's and sister's interest in the forty 
ncres of land, Deceml)er 10, 1874. 

On the 5th of I'ebruary, 1878, in what 
is now Jamaica township, Mr. Darr was 
united in marriage to Miss Susannah Hop- 
per, a daughter of Louis and Afargaret 
(Kin.sey) Hopper. She was born in Ver- 
milion county, Illinois, January 20, 1857. 
Her father was a native of \'irginia, born 
February 13, 1826, and her mother was 
born in Ohio, Sei)teml)er 19, 1829. They 
were marrie<l in Ohio, June 27, 1847. ^^ 
was a farmer by occupation and removed 
to Vermilion county. Me is now living 
at Fairniiiuul. lllimiis. at the age of seven- 
ty-si.x. In politics he is a Democrat. His 
wife died in 1876, and in March, 1879, he 
was married to I'".lizabeth (Stanberry) 
Olmsted, a native of Illinois. She is udw 
living with her husband at Fairmount. Illi- 
nois. P.y his first marriage there were born 
seven children, foiu' girls and three boys. 
all of whoni with the exception of one, are 
still living. John, born January 8, 1849, 
married Jennie Carringtou and resides in 



Jamaica tDwushi]). They have three chil- 
dren. Sarah E., born September 15, 1S51, 
is the wife of Josepli English, of Peru, 
Miami county, Indiana, who fc)llows farm- 
ing as an occupation. They have une child. 
Susannah is the wife of the subject of this 
sketch and was born January 20, 1857. 
Martha, born April 14. 1859. is the wife of 
Charles 1 V-mbertnn. nf Indianai)olis. In- 
diana, and has five children. IVank. who 
was, born October 5, 1861, married Cora 
Hall. They have four children and reside 
near Dana, Indiana. Mar\- .M.. born Jan- 
uary 12. 1864. is the wife of James Smith 
and resides in Cass county. Indiana, near 
Peru, on a farm. They ha\e si.x children. 
William, born October 4. 1853. died at the 
age of two years. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Darr 
has been blessed with eight children. 
Hem\v \\'., l)orn November 23. 1878. is a 
teacher in penmanship at Storm Lake. Iowa. 
The others are: Edgar L.. born l-'ebruary 
10, 1880: Walter L.. born June 28, 1885; 
Delia M.. born I'ebruary 19. 1888: Nellie 
I)., born May 9, 1889: Howard C, born 
June 6, 1893; George B., born May 16, 
1896; and Selh W.. born January 28, 1898. 

After his marriage Mr. Darr located 
upon the farm which is yet his home. This 
is situated on section 20. Jamaica tnwnship. 
In 18S2 he ])urchased an additional forty 
acres, and in March, 1901, he piuxhased 
forty acres more. In 1879 he crecteil a 
substantial residence upi^n the farm, which 
he has placed under an excellent state of 
cultivation. In addition to his own farm he 
also rents one hundred and twenty acres. 
Therefore his farming interests arc (|uite 
extensixc and he is engagetl in stock-raising. 
Stock, consisting of cattle, horses and hogs 
of a good grade, are raised in his pastures 



w^^. 




MRS. N. R. FAIRCHILD. 




N. R. FAIRCHILD. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



769 



and he sells these in the markets, deriving 
a good income thereby. In politics he is 
a Democrat where national issues of im- 
portance are at stake, but at local elections 
he votes for the men whom he thinks best 
calculated to fill the offices. A substantial 
and representative farmer of Vermilion 
county, where he has been a resident for 
over a quarter of a century, in its progress 
and upbuilding he is deeply interested and 
is e\'ery reatly to support any mo\'ement or 
measure which will be of benefit to the com- 
munity. He is highly regarded by his 
friends and acquaintances, who know him 
to be a man of integrity and honesty. 



NATHANIEL R. FAIRCHILD. 

The Fairchild familv is a prominent one 
in Vemiilion county and the life record of 
the subject of this review is one that re- 
flects credit upon an honored name. He 
was born August 15. 1843, about three- 
fourths of a mile southwest of his present 
home, his parents being the Rev. Daniel 
and Lucy (Hemingway) Fairchild, both of 
whom were natives of New York. His 
father was known for miles around because 
of his zealous work in behalf of Christian- 
ity, and his noble life has been a potent 
element for good throughout the commun- 
ity. He started out in the world empty- 
handed and in order to earn a livelihood he 
made rails for thirty-seven and one-half 
cents per hundred. In this way he obtained 
his license to preach and he has deli\-ered 
more funeral sermons and married more 
couples than any man of his day. He came 
to this county in 1829, when it was a wild 
unbroken district, and here aided in cutting 
away the trees and preparing the land for 



cultivation. He endured all of the hard- 
ships incident to pioneer life at a time when 
the Indians were numerous. The rivers and 
the woods were also the hatmts of many 
kinds of wild game and there were large 
numbers of j^rairie wolves in the county. 
Mr. Fairchild in the exercise of his business 
affairs acquired a large competence and be- 
fore he passed away he (li\idetl his property 
among his children. 

Nathaniel R. Fairchild was the twin 
brother of Daniel C. Fairchild. who died 
fighting for his country. He and a com- 
panion were mortally wounded just as they 
had cut down a tree for breast works at 
Mission Ridge. Daniel Fairchild being 
picked ofif by a sharpshooter, dying on the 
6th of July, 1864. The subject of this re- 
view pursued his early education in a log 
schoolhouse with its primiti\-e furnishings 
such as were common at that day, greased 
paper windows, slab seats, and an immense 
fireplace being among the accessories of 
this building. Later he was for a few years 
a student in the Danville high school and 
then turned his attention to farming and 
stock-raising, which he has since followed. 
As the years have passed he has seen the 
work of transformation carried on. He 
can well remember the open prairie ujDon 
which cattle were herded, over which one 
could drive for miles, his progress unim- 
peded by house or fence. The land was 
unbroken, ha\-ing never been placed under 
the plow. Mr. Fairchild cleared and broke 
most of the land upon his own place and 
has made it a splendidly improved property. 
The wet condition of the fields has been 
done away with through tiling and all niiid- 
ern equipments ha^-e been added, including 
the latest improved machinery for facilitat- 
ing farm work. His property is now 
one <if the best inii)ro\ed farms on Eight 



770 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Mile Prairie. Mr. FairchiUl also remem- 
bers well the lirst cookstove his father 
brought into the neigliborliood, many peo- 
ple coming for miles to see it and looking 
upon it with much curiosity. The old dip 
candles were used in those days, for not 
even candle molds had beef introduced. 
Long before his marriage Mr. I'airchild 
and his brother h'li made a trip to Joliet, 
Illinois, taking with them a load of apples. 
They forded the Kankakee river, camped 
out at night and wea'e upon the road for an 
entire week. The father did his milling 
by placing a sack of corn upon a horse and 
then sending it with the boys to the mill. 
Our subject has attended camp meeting 
when church services were held in the grove, 
tallow candles being placed on the bushes 
in order to afford light. He has seen the 
young girls go to church barefooted and be- 
fore reaching their destination they would 
sit down upon a log and put on their shoes, 
and these were removed as soon as the ser- 
vice was o\er and they returned home bare- 
footed as they had come. They would ride to 
church sitting upon a sheepskin thrown over 
the horse's back behind the man who acted 
as a dri\er. 

As a cumpanidu and helpmate for life's 
journev, Mr. bairchild chose Miss Eliza- 
beth Fitzgerald, to wlioni he was married 
April 21, 1869. She was born November 
8, 1844. a daughter of Benjamin and 1-lliza 
Fitzgerald, and she died August 19, 1874. 
She had three children, of win mi two sur- 
\ived the mother, Marshall C. and .Ada \''., 
but the latter died October 4. 1893. in her 
twenty-second year. The other child died 
in infancy. On the 30th of March, 1875, 
Mr. Fairchild was married to Mrs. Sarah 
Dove, a widow, who was born in Vermilion 
county Tune 11. 184J. l'>y her first mar- 
riage she had two children. J. Douglas, a 



popular school teacher living southwest of 
Jamesburg; and Cynthia E., the wife of 
Otis Wilson, of this county. Mrs. Fair- 
child is a daughter of Ezekial and Eliza- 
beth (Outten) McNamer, the former a na- 
tive of Delaware and the latter of Ohio. 
L'nto Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild have been 
born four children : Wesley, who was mar- 
ried .\ugust 24, 1897, to Stella Bonnett, 
by whom he has one child. Clayton Nathan- 
iel ; Je.sse. at home; Nettie A,, who became 
the wife of Shelby M. Starr, November 10, 
1 901; and Nathaniel R. 

When fifteen years of age Mr. Fairchild 
became a member of the Methodist church, 
with which he has since been identified, antl 
has ever been deeply interested in the cause 
of Christianity and its advancement. In 
politics he is a stalwart Republican. He 
to-day owns one hundred and sixty acres 
of well im])roved land and is a farmer whose 
perseverance and energy have brought to 
him a creditable position in agricultural cir- 
cles. His entire life has been passed in \'er- 
milion county and the fact that many who 
have known him from boyhood are num- 
bered among his stanchest friends, is an in- 
dication that his has been an honorable and 
upright career. 



OLIN A. McFARLAND. 

Olin A. Ald'arland. who for twenty- 
two years has practiced at the Danville bar, 
making a specialty of commercial, real es- 
tate and probate law. was bom in Farming- 
ton, Maine, November 11, 1836, and is a 
son of Dr. P. M. and Sarah E. (Mace) 
AIcFarland. The father was a native of 
Pennsyhania, the mother of Massachusetts, 
and thev were married in Kentucky. The 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



771 



Doctor was a graduate of Allegheny Col- 
lege, of Meadville, Pennsylvania, and of 
the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, and 
was successfully engaged in practice from 
1863 until 1892. Throughout the Civil war 
he served his country as surgeon of the 
Fifty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, re- 
maining at the front for four years, during 
which time he did much to allay the suffer- 
ing caused by war and its hardships. For 
many years he was a resident of Centralia, 
Illinois, where his death occurred in 1892. 
The mother of our subject had passed away 
in 1879 and the Doctor had afterward mar- 
ried Stella V. Casey, who is now living in 
Colorado Springs. Colorado. There were 
three children of the first marriage : Ed- 
ward P., Frank M. and Olin A. 

In the public schools of Centralia, Illi- 
nois, Mr. ]\IcFarland of this review pur- 
sued his elementary education, which was 
supplemented by a full course of study in 
the Asbury University, at Greencastle. In- 
diana. After spending four years in that 
institution he was graduated with the de- 
gree of Bachelor of Arts, and thus having 
acquired broad literary knowledge to serve 
as a foundation for professional training. 
he entered the Union Law College 
of Chicago — the law department of 
the Northwestern LTniversity — and was 
graduated in 1880 with the degree 
of L.L. B. In August of the same 
year he opened an office in Danville. From 
1885 until 1888 he was associated in prac- 
tice with Albert Emerson, but with the ex- 
ception of that period has been alone during 
the twenty-two years of his connection with 
the Danville bar, where he has continually 
advanced until he has long since gained a 
place among the lawyers of distinction and 
ability in this part of the state. Although 



he has followed general practice he is now 
making a specialty of commercial, probate 
and real-estate law, and has informed him- 
self thoroughly concerning these branches, 
with the result that he handles with skill 
such cases as are entrusted to him and sel- 
dom fails to win a verdict favorable to his 
clients. Much important litigation has been 
conducted by him. He prepares his cases 
with great thoroughness and precision and 
his devotion to his clients' interests is pro- 
verbial. 

In 1 88 1, in Greencastle, Indiana, Mr. 
McFarland was married to Mary B. Fletch- 
er, who was born in Indianapolis, that state, 
in 1856, a daughter of Milo J. Fletcher, 
who was professor of literature in Asbury 
University at Greencastle. and state super- 
intendent of instruction in Indiana. He 
was a graduate of Brown University and of 
Harvard Law School, and throughout his 
life was connected with educational work. 
At the time of the Civil war he was ap- 
pointed one of the commissioners of Indi- 
ana to look after the wounded Indiana sol- 
diers injured in the battle of Shiloh. and 
shortly after he was killed in a railroad 
accident at Spencer, that state. His wife, 
who bore the maiden name of Jennie M. 
Hoar, and was a nati\'e of Providence, Rhode 
Island, died about 1890. Unto Mr. and 
Mrs. McFarland have been born three chil- 
dren : Elizabeth, who is a graduate of the 
Danville high school and now attends the 
Chicago University; Fletcher and Allen P.. 
both of whom are students in the high 
school here. 

In his political views Mr. McFarland 
is a Republican. For eight years he has 
been a member of the library board of the 
city and at the present time is serving as a 
member of the city board of education. So- 



772 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



cially he is connected with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern 
Woodmen of America. He has passed all 
the chairs in the former and has served as 
a representative to both the grand lodge 
and grand encampment. He attends the 
Metliodist Episcopal chnrch and is inter- 
ested in every measure of progress and im- 
provement for the general good of the city. 
In a profession where distinction and suc- 
cess depends upon individual merit, coiupre- 
hensive knowledge and a readiness in cor- 
rectly applying such knowledge, he has at- 
tained high rank. 



FRANK LINDLEY. 

l-"rank Linilley is a nieniher of what is 
now the oldest law lirni of Haiiville as re- 
gards vears of continued ct)nnection with 
the bar of this city. The profession of the 
law when clothed with its true digiiity. jmr- 
itv and strength must rank first among the 
callings of man. for law rules the universe. 
The work of the legal profession is to form- 
ulate. h> harmonize, to regulate, to adjust, 
to administer those rules and princi])les that 
underlie and permeate all government and 
societv and control the \aried relations of 
men. As thus reviewed there is attached to 
the legal profession nobleness that can not 
but be rellected in the life of the true lawyer, 
who. rising to the responsibilities of the pro- 
fession, and honest in the jjursuit of his pur- 
pose, embraces the richness of learning, the 
firmness of integrity and the purity of mor- 
als, together with the graces and modesty 
and the general amenities of life. Of such 
a tvpe I'rank l.indley is a representative. 

Mr. l.indley was born March lo, 1858. 
in \\ ;i\'ne countx'. Indiana, and is a son of 



Osmond and Archie W. (Wilson) Lindley. 
\\ho were orthodox Quakers and were na- 
tives of North Carolina. James Lindley and 
John \V. Wilson, the paternal and maternal 
grandfathers, respectively, of our subject, 
were slave owners in North Carolina, but 
manv vears prior to the Civil war they lib- 
erated all of their slaves and both were 
strong advocates of freedom. The parents 
of our subject are graduates of Earlham 
College, a school of Indiana, conducted un- 
der the auspices of the Society of Friends. 
The father was one of a family of five chil- 
dren, of whom the only survivor is Jona- 
than Lindley. The others were Hiram, Cal- 
vin and J(]hn. .and the family was of Scotch 
and English lineage. Osmond Lindley. af- 
ter completing his education, engaged in 
teaching to some e.xtent and in his later 
years followed farming, stock-raising and 
])ork-packing. He successfully conducted 
his business affairs until his life's labors 
were ended in death in 1877. when he was 
forty-fi\e years of age. His widow still 
sur\i\es him and now resides at I'air- 
monnt. Indiana. 

In the public schools l-"rank Lindley be- 
gan his education, w hich w as afterward con- 
tinued in Hopewell .\cademy in Henry 
county, Indiana. He came to Shelbvville. 
Illinois, with his parents in 1872. and for 
a time engaged in teaching school, when de- 
siring to still further perfect his own educa- 
tion he became a student in the State Normal. 
Soon afterward be began reading law in 
the ol¥ice of the firm of Thornton, Wend- 
ling & Hamlin, at Shelbyville. Illinois, and 
when he had largely mastered the principles 
of jurisprudence he was admitted to the bar 
in May, 1881, and came to Danville. Here 
he entered int<i i)artnershii) relations with 
l-'rank W. I'enwell. under the firm naine of 
Penwell & Lindlev. a relation th;it has since 




yiQ^<-<k 




o(hy 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



775 



been niainlaiiied, su llial this is lunv the old- 
est law firm in Danville. They have en- 
joyed a \ery larji^e sJiare of the most im- 
portant clientage in their district ;ind have 
been found as council for the plaintiff or de- 
fendant in almost e\x'ry im])ortrnit case in 
the history of this l(jcality thr<nij.(hout the 
years of their connection with the bar. 

While active in any movement pertain- 
ing to the best form -of gosernment, Mr. 
Lindley has ne\er sought or desired politi- 
cal office, yet eUjes his duty as a i^rivate citi- 
zen to the best of his ability and his influ- 
ence and efforts in this direction have been 
effective and far-reaching. He I)elicves 
firmly in the principles of the Re])ublican 
party, has been a delegate to state tonven- 
tions and chairman of the congressional 
committee <jf his district in Illinois, succeed- 
ing the late William P. Cannon. He has 
been idcnlilie'! with many local enterprises 
in his home town, co-operating in every 
measure and movement for the public wel- 
fare. He is (jnc of the jiromoters and Iniild- 
ers of the Stahl Urban factory, a director 
of the Equitable Building & Loan .Associa- 
tion and one of the appraising board. The 
firm of Penwell & Lindley are attorneys for 
the Second National Bank, having served 
thus for fifteen years, while for twenty years 
they have also been attorneys for the Brad- 
street Company. 

In 1SX5 Mr. Lindley was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Jennie Cregg. a daughter of 
Daniel Gregg, one of the early citizens and 
leading manufacturers of Danville. Mrs. 
Lindley is a leafier in social circles and took 
a very prominent |)art in the establishment 
of the Chautauqua movement in Danville 
and is now the presi'lent of this organiza- 
tion, which is known as the Clover Club. 
Mr. Lindley is likewise popular in social life, 
being a member of the Benevolent and Pro- 



tective Order ui Llks, the Knights of J'yth- 
ias fraternity. Independent Order of Odd 
]'"ellows, and the Moilern Woodmen of 
Americ^j. h'or more than twenty years he 
has stood as a leading representative of the 
Vermilion county bar, lia\ing that mental 
grasp which enables him to readily discover 
the jjoints in a case. A man of sound judg- 
ment he manages his cases with masterly 
skill and tact, is a logical reasoner and has 
a ready command of I'.nglish. The success 
of his life is due to no inherited fortune 
or to any happy succession of advantageous 
circumstances, but to his own sturdy will, 
steady apjjlication, studious habits, tireless 
industry and sterling integrity. 



REV. JOH.\ J. COSAT. 

Rev. John J. Cosat, who for many years 
has devoted his time and labors to the work 
of the ministry of the Christian church and 
\\]v) is also engaged to some extent in real 
estate flealing, was born six miles northwest 
of I)an\ille in what is now Blount township, 
March 31, i.S.1.4, and at the present time he 
makes his home in the county seat. i'roPi 
Scotland at an early day came his ancestors 
in the Cosat line and at the time of the 
Revolutionary war members of the family 
served with the continental army. General 
Macomi), one of the great-grandfathers of 
our subject, served in the war of 1X12 with 
the rank indicated by his title. David Cosat. 
the father of our subject, was born in Har- 
rodsburg, Kentucky, and was married in 
\'crmilion countv. Illinois, in 1833. to 
Xancy 'J'ruax, whose biith occurred near 
Lexington. Kentucky. /He had come to 
Vermilion county in 1832, while the year 
1826, witnes.sed her arrival. The father 



776 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



en£^a£;fe<l in school teacliing and in farminjj 
and ciinlinueil to live in Blount township 
until his death, which occurred in 1886, 
while his wife had passed away thirty years 
bef(»re. in 1856. In early life he was asso- 
ciated with the Whig party and upon its dis- 
solution he joined the ranks of the Republi- 
can party, remaining one of its active sup- 
porters until his demise, while of the Christ- 
ian church both he and his wife w-ere prom- 
nent members. In their family were thir- 
teen children, of whom five are now living : 
Margaret, the widow of Thomas Myrick 
and a resident of Armstrong, Illinois; John 
J.; David, of Parsons, Kansas; Mrs. John 
S. Leave, who is residing near Danville; and 
Emma, the wife of John Williams, whose 
home is near Snyder. Illinois. 

Rev. John J. Cosat began his education 
in the schools of Blount township and after 
attending the public schools of the county 
for a number of years he took up educa- 
tional work and for twenty-nine terms, 
covering a period of twenty-hve years, he 
was classed among the successful school 
teachers of Vermilion county. 

On the nth of September. 1864. in 
Janesville, W'i.sconsin. he wedded Miss 
]'"rances H. Rosebaum, who died February 8, 
1868. leaving one child, Eldora, who be- 
came the wife of J. H. Poulter, of Vermil- 
ion county, and died August 2. 1889, leav- 
ing two children : Amanda, who is a school 
teacher of Armstrong. Illinois; and Frank, 
who follows farming in this county, -\fter 
the death of his first wife F.lder Cosat was 
married July 15. 1869, in Danville, to Miss 
Emma Cline. whose birth occurred in this 
city. Xt)venil)er 30. 185 1, a daughter of Na- 
thaniel and Cynthia (Sanders) Cline. the 
former a native of Virginia and the latter 
of Kentucky. The Cline family comes of 
German ancestry and the name was orig- 



inally spelled Klein. The parents of Mrs. 
Cosat were married in \'ermilion county, 
where Mr. Cline had located in 1826, doing 
gunsmith work for the Indians in early pio- 
neer times. He was a Republican in politics 
and a member of the Baptist church and 
made his home in this county until his de- 
mise, owning a large tract of land at Coal 
Hollow, which he entered from the govern- 
ment. He served as a fifer during the Civil 
war. being a member of the One Hundred 
and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry. con> 
manded by Colonel Harmon, and he died 
near Nashville while in the service. In his 
family were eight children, six of whom are 
now living: Mary, the wife of John Bar- 
nett. who resides near Blount. Illinois; Ben- 
jamin, of Danville: Mrs. Cosat; Lewketty, 
the wife of Lafayette Saltz, of Danville; 
John v., and Charles, who are residents of 
tins citv. L'nto Mr. Cosat and his second 
wife have been l)orn thirteen children, of 
w honi eigh.t are living : Professor E. H. 
Cosat. who married Miss Tessie Martin and 
is principal of the Collett school of Dan- 
ville: Theodore W.. who is engaged in the 
real estate business in this city ; Everett, 
who is agent for the New York Nursery 
Compan\- in Danville and married Miss Ella 
drition. I)y whom he has one son. Olaf; 
Effie, the wife of Pearl Hastings, re- 
siding on Fairchild street of Danville, 
bv whom she has two children. Floyd and 
Alctiia: Charles L.. a carriage painter of 
Danville: Nellie. Marion and Lowell, all at- 
tending school. 

Elder Cosat was ordained a minister of 
the Christian church October 10. 1S71. and 
his first charge embraced I'niou and Prairie 
Char.els of X'crmilinn county. He has suc- 
cessive! v been pastor of church No. 10 near 
Armstrong. Illinois, the church at Bismarck, 
at Stateline, at \\'alnut Corners. Clunxh No. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



m 



8 and also the church of his denomination 
at Fithia!!, Oakwood, Maple Grove and oth- 
er points. He was pastor of the church at 
Union, Illinois, where he has preached for 
the past twenty-one years and he is now 
pastor of tlie churches at Georgetown and at 
Janesburg", Illinois. Throughout the great- 
er part of his life his attention has to some 
extent been given to business interests and 
he has likewise been active in official serv- 
ice. For eleven years he was town clerk, 
was justice of the peace for nine years, was 
assessor for six years, supervisor for one 
year and overseer of the poor for one year, 
holding all of these offices in Blount town- 
ship. In 1892 he removed to Danville and 
later spent a short time in Kansas, but re- 
turned to this city in 1895 '^"'^ ^^'^^ here en- 
gaged in merchandising. He is now con- 
nected with his son in the real estate busi- 
ness. 

Prior to 1881 Mr. Cosat voted with 
the Republican party and since that time he 
has been a Prohibitionist. In matters of 
citizenship he is interested and also in every- 
thing pertaining to the general gootl and ac- 
tively co-operates in every measure for the 
promotion of progress, reform and improve- 
ment. He belongs to the United Order of 
the Golden Cross and was an active member 
of the Farmers Grange. At the time of the 
Civil war he was an earnest advocate of the 
Union cause and on the 14th of July. 1864, 
he enlisted in Company I, Fifth Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Thomas 
Flint and Colonel E. A. Allen, joining the 
army at Broadliead, Wisconsin. He was 
then ordered to the front and under Sher- 
idan participated in the Shenandoah cam- 
paign and was present when Sheridan made 
his famous ride from Winchester to Cetlar 
Creek. In the fall of 1864 the regiment 
was transferred to the Armv of the Poto- 



mac and operated with that great military 
division until 1865. Mr. Cosat participated 
in the battle of Petersburg and in the san- 
guinary engagement at Sailors Run. Be- 
cause of meritorious conduct and marked 
bravery he was recommended by General 
Grant for a commission. With his com- 
mand he pursued General Lee to Appomat- 
tox, and was afterward at Burksville Junc- 
tion, guarding stores until the following 
June, after which the troops marched to 
Danville on the North Carolina line. In 
the meantime General Johnston had sur- 
rendered to General Sherman and Mr. Cosat 
with his regiment returned to Burksville 
and afterward to Richmond, later going to 
Washington, while on Hall's Hill, on Ridge 
Point, he was mustered out. He then pro- 
ceeded to Madison, Wisconsin, where in 
Julv he received an honorable discharge 
with the rank of corporal. He is now a 
member of the Grand Army of the Republic. 
Flis militaiy service was in keeping with 
the family record for loyalty, patriotism 
and bravery. His influence has ever been 
found on the side of progress, the truth and 
the right, for he believes that Christian faith 
should find its exemplification in the daily 
walks of life. 



TOHN DEAL. 



John Deal was born in Reading. Penn- 
syl\-ania, on Christmas day of 1844. His 
father, Jonathan Deal, was a native of Ire- 
land, while the mother of our subject, wh.o 
l)ore the maiden name of Rebecca Fleming, 
was born in Scotland, their marriage being 
celebrated in Boston. The father was a car- 
penter by trade and spent his last years in 
Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he died 
in 1 8=; I on the se\'enth l)irth(lav of his son 



778 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



John. Tlie motlier survived alxiut two 
years and also passed away in Fayetteville. 
'I'hey were the parents of three children, of 
wlinni John ]3eal is the youngest. 

.\t tlie time of his i)arents' deatli c)ur 
sul)icct went to live with his sister in Darke 
county, Ohio, making his home with his rel- 
atives. Vv. and .Mrs. Samuel Young, untd 
1864. His educational pri\ileges were quite 
limited anil his youth v\as largely a period 
of toil. When twenty years of age he left 
the I'<uckeye state and removed to Benton 
county. Indiana. Three years later he be- 
came a resident of Iroquois county, Illinois, 
and there lie began farming for himself 
upon rented land in Lovejoy township. The 
year 1873 witnessed his arrival in Hoopes- 
ton and here he began work on a section of 
the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, oc- 
cu])yini;' that position continuously untd 
|SS(). when he was appointed j;initor of tlie 
Honeywell school of Hixipeston. In tliis 
capacity he has since served with marked 
ability and fidelity, and no sooner is school 
out in the summer time than he obtains an- 
other position which he occupies until his 
duties again call him to the school. Never, 
excejJt for one-half day has he l)een detained 
from work by illness, and his life has been 
characterized by lUH-cmitting dibgcnce and 
perseverance. 

In 1868, in SheUlon, Illinois. -Mr. Deal 
was uuiteil in marriage to Henrietta Wise, 
who was Ijorn in Reading. Pennsylvania, on 
th.e .?8th of October, 1850. Her father, Cy- 
rus \\'ise, is now living with her, but her 
mother passed away near Wellington, Illi- 
nois, 'i'hree children have graced the union 
of our subject and his wife: William Cy- 
rus, who is clerking in the freight office of 
the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad 
Company, in the city of Chicago; Georgi- 
ana, the wife of W. B. Mvers, of Austin, 



Illinois; and Vernon, who makes his home 
with his parents and is still attending 
scIk.ioI. 

Both Mv. and Mrs. Deal hold member- 
ship in the .Methodist Episcopal church and 
give C(jnsiderable time and attention to 
chiu-ch work. He was formerly identified 
with the .Masiiuic fraternity and he has al- 
ways been a Repul)lican in his political 
views. He has a pleasant home at the cor- 
ner of r.ank and Front streets, which was 
erected in 1899 at a cost of fifteen hundred 
dollars, and he likewise has five lots on block 
22. He keqjs a horse and buggy and also 
lias two cows. Everything about his place is 
neat and well ecpiipped and the home is 
tasteftdly furnished. All that he has he has 
made thrinigh his own efforts and he cer- 
tainly deserves commendation for what he 
has accomplished. 



LEMUEL D. LAXE. 

Lenuiel D. Lane, one of the extensive 
landowners of \'ermilion county, was born 
in I Mount townshi]i, this county, in 1855, a 
son of Wyrani \'. and Sarah J. (Crawford) 
Lane, in whose family were five children, all 
of wiiom are yet living, Mr. Lane of this re- 
view being the eldest. His early education 
was ac([uired in the common schools of his 
native townshi]). which he attended until he 
had attained his majority. He was also a 
student in the United Brethren schools of 
(ireenhill, Indiana, and on putting aside his 
te.xt books he began farming on his own ac- 
count and also raising stock. His father 
gave him one hundred and sixty acres of 
land wdiich was under cultivation and im- 
proved to some extent. Later he purchased 
forty acres and afterward eighty acres, and 





L. D. LAMK. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



781 



from time to time he has still further added 
to his possessions, which now aggregate 
twelve hundred acres of welt improved and 
valuable land. This is located in Vermilion 
county and in Indiana, but the greater por- 
tion is in this county. Mr. Lane has placed 
his land under a very high state of culti- 
vation and the productive fields yield splen- 
did crops and in the pastures are also seen 
high grades of stock and both branches of 
his business bring to him a good financial 
return. 

Mr. Lane was first married in 1878 to 
Maria Wilson, a sister of S. G. Wilson, of 
this county, and a daughter of John Wilson, 
one of the pioneers of eastern Illinois. A 
daughter was born of this marriage, Edna, 
who is now the wife of E. D. Wyman, a 
resident farmer of Ross township, living 
upon land belonging to her father. In 1890 
Mr. Lane was again married, his second 
union being with Anna Goodwine, a daugh- 
ter of Joiin and Mary (Alexander) Good- 
wine. This marriage has been blessed with 
a son, Wyram Vinton, now ten years of age. 

Mr. Lane's study of the political issues 
has led him to give his support to the Re- 
publican party and he has held the office of 
road commissioner, but has never been an 
active politician in the sense of office seek- 
ing. Fraternally he is connected with the 
Masons, the Woodmen, the Knights of 
Pythias and the Court of Honor, and has 
held offices in all of these with the excep- 
tion of the lirst named. He takes a deep 
interest in public affairs, desiring that Ver- 
milion county's advancemnt shall be equal 
to that of any section of the Union, and he 
has co-operated in manj' measures toward 
this end. He takes no active part in politics. 

In business affairs Mr. Lane has pros- 
pered and has accumulated a handsome 
property in connection with his agricultural 

31 



interests. He owns a heavy interest in Hen- 
ning Bank, a private banking institution, in 
which he is associated with L. C. Messmer 
of Potomac. This establishment was or- 
ganized in 1892 and capitalized at one hun- 
dred and fifty thousand dollars. Mr. Lane 
has clear insight into business affairs and 
his judgment is rarely if ever at fault. This 
is because he forms his plans after due de- 
liberation and then he puts forth every ef- 
fort to carry forward the plans which he has 
made. A creditable and very desirable de- 
gree of success has been won by him and, 
moreo\er, he enjoys the confidence and good 
will of all with whom he has been asso- 
ciated. 



OLEN HENDERSON. 

Olen Henderson, who is now living oil 
section 27, Ehvood township, where he de- 
votes his energies to agricultural pursuits, 
was born January 31, 1870, in the township 
where he yet makes his home. His parents 
were Albert and Jane (Brown) Henderson. 
The father was also a native of Ehvood 
township, born August 21, 1844, his par- 
ents removing from South Carolina to 
Whitewater, Indiana, where they were mar- 
ried. The mother of our subject was born 
August 16, 1844, and came with her par- 
ents to Illinois at the time of the Quaker 
emigration to this state. Her father was a 
wealthy farmer and she was one of a family 
of six children, all of whom are yet living. 
Albert Henderson had one brother, Austin, 
who is now living in Homer, Illinois, and 
is a veteran of the Civil war. He enlisted 
for three years in the Seventy-third Illinois 
Infantry, was wounded at Mission Ridge, 
Tennessee, and being captured he was held 
as a prisoner of war in Andersonville for 



782 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



fourteen niontlis, and for two months in 
I.ihl))- prison. He is now engaged in mer- 
chandising. There were also two half- 
brotliers and four half-sisters, and the fam- 
ily circle yet remains unbroken by the hand 
of death. In 1862 Albert Henderson at- 
tempted to enter the army and take part in 
the war, but was sent back home because 
he was too young for service. In 1864, 
however, he ran away and eidisted in Com- 
pany E of the Twelfth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, with which he remained until afti-'r 
the cessation of hostilities, participating in 
a number of important battles and engage- 
ments. ] le has every reason to be proud of 
his war record because, although he was but 
a soldier boy, he was as true and loyal to 
the old flag as many a man who wore the 
blue and was twice his years. He is now 
living quietly in Ridgefarm, a respected res- 
ident of his community. For sixteen years 
he .served as justice of the peace in Vermil- 
ion county, Indiana. His political support 
is given to the Republican party and he is 
a member of the Society of Friends. He 
and his wife were overseers for sixteen years 
in tliat church. It was on the 9th of Sep- 
tember. 1866, that he married Jane Brown, 
a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Brown, 
of this county. Their children are, Lucettn, 
now deceased : Juletta, a twin sister of Lu- 
cetta and now at home: Mrs. b^lva Perk- 
ins Crapt, who had three children and died 
leaving two of them ; Olen, of this review ; 
Owen, who is a twin brother of Olen and 
resides in Eugene, Indiana, with his wife 
and one child; Austin, of Vermilion Grove, 
who had three children, two of whom are 
living; Lucy Alice Henderson, deceased; 
and George \V., at home. 

Olen Henderson obtained a common- 
school education and was reared to farm 
work. On the 24th of December, 1896, he 



wedded Arminta Sanders, a daughter of 
Daniel B. and Mary E. (Shiers) Sanders, 
of Ridgefarm. Mrs. Haiderson was born 
on the old homestead where she is now liv- 
ing. September 4. 1869. She had two half- 
sisters. Mrs. Sarah Henderson, who resides 
in Ridgefarm. and Mrs. Laura M. Payne. 
who is now deceased. Both of her sisters 
had two sons. Mrs. Henderson's people 
came from \irginia and were of a promi- 
nent and influential family of that state in 
moilest linancial circumstances. For six 
months after their marriage our subject and 
his wife lixed in \'ermilion county, Indiana. 
and then came to their present home which 
was formerly the old Sanders homestead, 
the childhood residence of tlie wife, and here 
they have a commodious and beautiful home 
in which they are rearing their two chil- 
dren, Daniel .\. and Frances. Mrs. Hen- 
derson also had a (laughter by her former 
marriage — Nettie 11. Duff. 

Mr. Henderson belongs to the Society 
of Friends and is a stanch Republican in 
his political views. He also has member- 
slii]) relations with the Modern Woodmen 
of America. His time and attention, how- 
e\er. are largely gi\en to his business af- 
fairs, and in the control of his farm he di.s- 
plavs an excellent understanding of agri- 
cultural interests and a knowledge of the 
best methods of cultivating his land and 
raising stock. 



ALEXANDER S. GREGORY. 

Alexander .•^. Gregory, a retired contrac- 
tor and undertaker, has been a resident of 
Dan\ille for ten years. He is a native of 
Martinsbm-g, Berkeley county, \'irginia. 
born on the 13th of July, 1829. and his par- 
ents were Rol>ert and Ann (Stephens) 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



783 



Gregory. His maternal grandfather was 
General Robert Stephens who won his title 
by service in the Revolutionary war. In 
that long and sanguinary struggle he was 
connected with General Green, General Sul- 
livan and other distinguished military lead- 
ers and became a prominent man in the 
south. Robert Gregory, the father of our 
subject was bom in Martinsburg, Virginia, 
and made his home there throughout the 
greater part of his life. He rendered ef- 
fective service to his country as a soldier of 
the war of 1 8 1 2 and he was a devoted mem- 
ber and great worker in the Episcopalian 
church at Martinsburg. Both he and his 
wife died in Virginia. 

Alexander S. Gregory is the only one 
of their family now living. He acquired 
his early education in the common schools 
of his native state and began learning the 
carpenter's trade in Martinsburg, following 
that pursuit there until twenty-two years of 
age, when he left home and went to New 
Orleans, where he worked at carpentering 
for two years. On the expiration of that 
period he returned northward and for a 
short time was a resident of Lafayette, In- 
diana. Again he worked at his trade, 
being thus engaged in Lafayette until the 
time of his removal to Hutsonville, Illinois, 
where he was engaged in the undertaking 
business. 

While living there in 1864 Mr. Gregory 
was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wat- 
ers, a native of Clark county, Illinois, born 
January 23, 1839, her parents being James 
and Sarah (McClure) Waters. Her father 
was a merchant, grain buyer and commis- 
sion man of Darwin, Illinois, where he spent 
the greater part of his active business ca- 
reer, but his last days were passed in New 
Orleans, where he died in 1847. ^''S- 
Gregory obtained a good education and at 



the age of eight years entered St. Marys 
school in Terre Haute, her native town, be- 
ing the youngest pupil there. She after- 
ward entered the Nazareth Academy of 
Bardstown, Kentucky, in which she was 
graduated. By her marriage she has be- 
come the mother of two children : James 
W., who married Ida Mann, who died on 
the 17th of April, 1890. He now makes his 
home with his parents in Danville and occu- 
pies the position of car inspector for the 
Wabash Railroad Company. Mary, the only 
daughter, also resides with her parents. 

For several years following his mar- 
riage Mr. Gregory engaged in the under- 
taking and furniture business in Hutson- 
ville, Illinois. He was there living at the 
time of the Civil war and in February, 1865, 
he enlisted for service in Company C, One 
Hundred and Fifty-tifth Regiment of Illi- 
nois Volunteers, under Captain John W. 
Lowber and Colonel Smith. He was de- 
tailed as an undertaker at Murfreesboro, 
Tennessee, where he had charge of an un- 
dertaking shop for the government until the 
close of the war. There he was discharged 
in September, 1865. He then returned to 
Hutsonville, where he continued for a few 
years longer when he sold out his business 
and removed to Robinson, Illinois, where he 
was engaged in undertaking and contracting- 
for ten years. On the expiration of that 
period he sold out and came to Danville, 
where he has since lived a retired life. He 
has been a very successful business man and 
as his financial resources have increased he 
has wisely invested his capital in property 
in Illinois and Indiana. In politics he is a 
stalwart Democrat, having always su])ported 
the party. He belongs to the Grand Army 
Post of Danville and to the Masonic Lodge 
at Hutsonville, of which he became a charter 
member a half centurv ago. He is also con- 



784 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



n€cted with the Knights of Honor of Hut- 
sonville. He and his family reside at No. 3 
East Seminary- street in Danville and during 
the years of their residence here they have 
won many friends. The prosperous career 
of Mr. Gregory well serves as an illustration 
of the fact that business advancement may 
be won through honorable methods, close 
application and unfaltering perseverance. 



WILLIAM F. BAUM. 

William F. Baum was bom in Coving- 
ton, Indiana, February 5, 1848, a son of 
Abner and Louisa (Hull) Baum, both of 
whom are natives of Ohio. The father is 
still living at the age of eighty-fuur years, 
the mother at the age of seventy-four years, 
and their home is in Nebraska. Through- 
out his active business career he carried on 
agricultural pursuits. When he was but si.x 
years of age he removed with his parents 
from Fayette county, Ohio, to Covington, 
Indiana, and saw the latter place in the days 
of its infancy, his father purchasing a farm 
near that town. He witnessed the building 
of the canal there and saw many other im- 
provements made that led to the substantial 
development and progress of the city. His 
father, Jonas Baum, was a Revolutionary 
soldier, who \-aliantly aided in the struggle 
for American independence and died at the 
age of seventy-five years. As the name in 
dicates the Baum family is of German lin- 
eage and the first representative in America 
was John Baum, the grandfather of Will- 
iam F. Baum. Into Mr. and Mrs. Abner 
Baum were born six children, of whom 
William F. is the eldest. The members of 
the family still living are Rev. O. S. Baum, 
a Presbvterian minister located in Colo- 



rado; James A., who is engaged in the drug 
business in Lee, Nebraska; and Emma, the 
wife of Frank Scott, a druggist of Rising 
Cit)', Nebraska. 

After completing his literary education 
in his native county William F. Baum en- 
gaged in teaching school, but ambitious to 
make a start which would promise better 
results he began working at the drug busi- 
ness, receiving fifteen dollars per month for 
the first year. This was in 1870. The fol- 
lowing year he was given thirty dollars per 
month and the third year forty dollars. At 
the end of that time the firm in Covington 
by whom he was employed, established a 
branch store at Marshfield, that state, and 
made Mr. Baum its manager. He continued 
in charge there for a year and then pur- 
chased the store, while later he established 
a drug store in Gibson City, Illinois. On 
the 1st of November, 1874, he came to Dan- 
ville, where he opened a drug store, remov- 
ing his stock from Gibson City. His Marsh- 
field store he had previously soUl and on 
coming to \'ermilion county he first located 
near the Aetna House in Danville, where he 
continued for more than four years, when 
he removed to the Puljlic Square. There 
he remained until 1889, when he established 
his store at No. 41 North X'ermilion street. 
He owns that store building, which is a fine 
business structure of modern design. It has 
a tile floor with plate-glass front and e\ery 
convenience for carrying on the trade in an 
improved m;inner. Mr. Baum has thirty- 
two years' e.xperience in the drug business 
and during twenty-eight years of this time 
has been in Danville. Few merchants are 
more widely known in the city and the cir- 
cle of his friends is very extensive When 
he arrived in Danville in 1874 there was a 
population of about five thousand and in 
point of years of connection with the city's 




W. F. BAUM. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



787 



mercantile interests Mr. Baum is to-day the 
oldest druggist of Danville. 

On the loth of September, 1874, oc- 
curred the marriage of William F. Baum 
and Miss Louisa A. Johnson, who was born 
in New Marshfield, Warren county, Indiana, 
in November, 1851. She supplemented 
her early school privileges by study in St. 
Mary's Seminary in Terre Haute, Indiana. 
She is a daughter of Henry and Amanda 
(Davis) Johnson, who were pioneer set- 
tlers of Warren county and by her mar- 
riage she has become the mother of one son, 
Clarence H. Baum, who was born Septem- 
ber 6, 1875, in Danville and is a graduate of 
the high school here. In 1894 he entered 
the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor 
and completed a course in pharmacy and 
chemistry by graduation in the class of 
1896, while in 1898 the degree of Bachelor 
of Science was confirmed upon him. In 
July, 1900, he started on a trip around the 
world, visiting every country of any import- 
ance and while sojourning in Europe he was 
entertained by the sultan of Turkey. He 
traveled throughout the Holy Land, seeing 
everything of note and interest in that his- 
toric district. He has seen all classes of 
people in their native attire and in their 
systems of worship and he returned to his 
home in Danville with a valuable collection 
of all kinds of currency used in Europe. He 
also has a diary of his travels which would 
contain many points of interest to the gen- 
eral reader. He is able to converse fluently 
in the German, French and Spanish lan- 
guages as well as in English, and in this 
regard as in others, his aid will be of much 
value to his father in conducting the drug 
business which he now controls. Many were 
his experiences of an unusual nature. While 
traveling abroad on the island of Ceylon he 
went on a hunt for elephants. The part}' 



captured one hundred of these immense 
beasts but sixty got away, and for a few 
moments it seemed that the life of Mr. Baum 
was in great danger. 

In his political views William F. Baum 
is an earnest Republican, being recognized 
as one of the standard bearers of his party 
in this locality. He was recently elected 
aklerman from the fifth ward in the face of 
strong opposition which fact indicates 
his iX)pularity. He and his family attend 
the Methodist Episcopal church and he is 
a member of the Masonic fraternity. He 
also belongs to Vermilion county and the 
Illinois Pharmaceutical Association and he 
served for one years as vice president and 
for one year as treasurer of the State As- 
sociation, and has been state delegate to the 
National Association of Retail Druggists a 
number of times. He owns one of the best 
business blocks in Danville, on Main and 
Jackson streets, having been built in 1882, 
and has other valuable property in the city, 
including a handsome home on North Ver- 
milion street. He has been identified with 
the growth and progress of the town 
through almost thirty years and Danville 
recognizes him as one of its foremost and 
progressive men. 



MANGUS YEAGER. 

A clear understanding of business possi- 
bilities, familiarity with his chosen pursuit 
in all of its departments and unfaltering 
energy and perseverance, these have been 
the concomitants in the successful career of 
Mr. "^'eager, one of the old contractors and 
builders of Danville, who is engaged in 
business as the senior member of the firm 
of Yeager & Son. Since 1864 he has made 
his home in this city, arriving here when a 



788 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



young man of twenty-two years. He was 
born in Saxony, Germany, January 30, 
1840. a son of Nicholas and Amelia Yeager, 
both of whom were natives of the same 
country, whence they removed to the Uni- 
ted States in 1850. Reaching New York 
city after a voyage of eight weeks, they pro- 
ceeded westward to l-"t. Wayne, Indiana, 
where the father died. 

Mangus Yeager obtained only a com- 
mon-school education in Ft)rt Wayne and 
there remained wiili his i)arents until the 
country became invoKed in war over the 
spirit of rebellion in the south. He was but 
nineteen years of age, yet with patriotic im- 
pulse he offered his services to the govern- 
ment, enlisting in October, 1861, as a mem- 
ber of Company K, Third Indiana Cavalry, 
under Captain Cline. He participated in 
fourteen important battles, including the en- 
gagements of Shiloh, Murfreesboro and the 
Atlanta campaign. At the battle of Frank- 
lin. Tennessee, he was she it in the knee and 
remained in the hospital there for several 
weeks. He was akso again injured in the 
shoulder, this being caused by a fall. 

In December, 1864, after three years' 
service Mr. Yeager was nnistered out and 
came direct to Danville, where he entered 
upon his business career as a grocer's clerk 
on South street. Later he conducted a liv- 
ery stable on his own account for two years 
and then spent sometime as a dealer in 
threshing machines. Before going into the 
army he learned the carpenter's trade and 
worked in that capacity for the Chicago & 
Eastern Illinois Railroad, being employed at 
various points along their line, his connec- 
tion with the corporation continuing for 
thirteen years. On the expiration of that 
period he began contracting and building 
on his own account and his business career 
has been a prosperous one as is evidenced 



by the liberal patronage accorded him and 
the splendid character of the buildings 
which he has erected. He has taken and ex- 
ecuted the contracts for many of the tine 
structures of this city, including the Dan- 
ville Postoftice, the Plaza Hotel, many of 
the fine residences here and also several of 
the buildings in connection with the Sol- 
diers Home, ile also built the houses and 
shafts and did other carpeiucr work in con- 
nection with the Kelly mines. He is now- 
associated in business with his son and they 
employ from fifteen to twenty men. It is 
their endeavor to retain in their service only 
workmen of superior ability and thus in the 
execution oi their contracts they give the 
most satisfactory results. During the year 
1902 Mr. Yejiger has spent a portion of his 
time in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he 
has also carried on business to some extent 
as a contraclor and buikler. 

In 1865 occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Yeager and Miss Plannah Campbell, a na- 
tive of A'ermilion county, born April 29, 
1847, and a representative of one of the 
early families of tlie county, her parents be- 
ing Harper and Elizabeth (Butterfield) 
Campbell, who resided in Newell township, 
where the father followed farming for many 
years and there on the old homestead Ixjth 
he ;ui(l his wife died. Cnto ^Ir. and Mrs. 
^'eager lia\e been Ixirn foiu" children: O. 
Phiilii), who married Grace Dillon and 
served as captain of Battery A. in the Span- 
ish-American war, now major, is now in 
partnership with his father : Lizzie is em- 
jiloyed as head trimmer in a large wholesale 
millinery honse in Indianapolis, Indiana; 
and .\nielia aiul Edna are at hoiue. 

I'or almost forty years l\Ir. Yeager has 
resided in Dan\ille and has been active in 
the iinpro\-ement of the citv not onlv in 
business lines but also through the earnest 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



789 



co-operation he has given to many measures 
for the general good. He was the first 
member of tlie first fire department of Dan- 
ville. He has never been an ofifice seeker but 
served as go\"ernment inspector in the post- 
office here, his appointment coming 
through Congressman Joseph Cannon. A 
stanch Republican, he formerly took a very 
active interest in political work. Both he 
and his wife are members of the First Meth- 
odist Episcopal church and he belongs to 
the Grand Army Post of this city. He also 
established Battery A here and he now owns 
the controlling stock in the Armory of Dan- 
ville, together with business blocks on Main 
street and residence property on Hazel street 
in addition to his pieasant home at No. 439 
Main street. He likewise has other realty 
in Danville and his wife is the owner of the 
old Campbell homestead in Newell town- 
ship. To his earnest purpose, laudable am- 
bition and well directed efforts may be at- 
tributed his success, which is the legitimate 
outcome of his own eft'orts. He is to-tlay 
one of the prosperous and prominent men 
of Danville and a leading representative of 
the building interests of Vermilion county. 
He has been on tlie Building Association 
appraising committee for the last ten years. 
His social qualities, too, have endeared him 
to many friends and his life of honor and 
integrity has commanded the respect and 
good will of all with whom he has been asso- 
ciated. 

♦-•-♦ 

A. H. FLEMING. 

A. H. Fleming, whose farming interests 
are extensive and \alual)le and who is num- 
bered among the well known and respected 
residents of Hoopeston, was born near 
Hamilton in Hamilton county of L'pper 



Canada in 1834. His father w-as a native 
of New Jersey, born in Newark, of Irish 
lineage, and in early life he was a distiller, 
but within our subject's recollection he 
never followed other pursuits than that of 
farming. He wedded Daziah Hibler, also 
a native of New Jersey and of German line- 
age. When A. H. Fleming was about three 
years of age, at the time of the incipient re- 
bellion in Canada, the parents left that 
country and with their family went to Penn- 
SN'lvania, where they remained until 1839, 
when they became residents of Seneca coun- 
ty. New York. In 1845 they located in 
New Jersey, which was the place of their 
al)ode until 1851. That year witnessed 
their arrival in Peoria county, Illinois. In 
1857 they went to Stark county, this state, 
where the father died in 1874. 

Mr. Fleming of this review accompanied 
his parents on their various removals until 
they arrived in Peoria county, Illinois. 
There he began farming on his own account 
in 1853. Two years later, in 1859, he was 
married in Brimfield, Peoria county, to 
Catherine Mcintosh, who died in 1890, 
leaving five children : James A., William i 
A., Enoch W., Allen T. and Charles W. 
There were also two daughters who died 
in infancy. The mother's death occurred 
while they were living upon a fami eight 
miles southeast of Hoopeston. 

On the 28th of September, 1892, in Elli- 
ott, Iowa, Mr. Fleming was again married 
his second union being with Mrs. Mary J. 
Young, wdio was born in Sussex county, 
New Jersey, in 1836. Fler parents came to 
Stark county, Illinois, in 1865, but both are 
now deceased, the father having passed 
away on the 30th of October, 1868, while 
the mother died on the 15th of November 
of the same year. Mr. Fleming has three 
brothers and one sister : Barney, of Wash- 



790 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ington; William, who is living in Kansas; 
Joseph, a resident of Milford, Illinois; and 
Mrs. Elizabeth Vliet, of Woodland, Illinois. 
Mrs. Fleming was first married to Mr. 
Yonng. and they lived in Clark county until 
after the deiith of her husband. Later she 
gave lier hand in marriage to Mr. Fleming. 
She had one child by her first marriage, 
Clinton A. Young, who is now living in 
Murray, Clark county, Iowa. Of Mr. 
Fleming's sons, James A. is now living in 
Danville, being connected with the manu- 
facturing firm of Farrwright & Scott; Will- 
iam A. is a fanner of Milford, Illinois; 
Enoch W. is living in Hoopeston ; Allen T. 
is a mail clerk on the Rock Island & Peoria 
Railroad and lives in Peoria ; and Charles 
W. is also a railway mail clerk. 

In the year 1893 Mr. Fleming came to 
Hoopeston and erected a home at the corner 
of Main and Fifth street. In the fall of 
1 89 1 he had purchased land in Vermilion 
county, Ijeconiing the owner of one hundred 
and forty acres, for which he i)aid thirty- 
three and one-third dollars per acre. When 
this had increased in value in 1884 to fifty 
dollars per acre, he sold it. He is now an 
equal partner with his brother in five hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land in Minnesota. 
For three }'ears he was engaged in the ice 
business in Ho<:)peston and to some extent 
has dealt in real estate here. He now owns 
a house which he rents on the north side, 
but for the past ten years he has largely 
lived retired, his labor in former days hav- 
ing brought to him a competence sufficient 
to provide him with all the comforts of life 
without recourse to further work. A prom- 
inent memljer of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, he is now ser\ing as one of its stew- 
ards, and in the work of the church takes 
an active interest. In politics he has al- 
ways been an earnest Republican. He keeps 



well informed on the issues of the day. thus 
being enabled to support his position by in- 
telligent argument. 



SAMUEL A. BRISTOW. 

Samuel A. Bristow, one of the most suc- 
cessful and prominent young lawyers of 
Danville, was born in Fithian. \"erniilion 
county, May 9, 1871. On the paternal side 
his ancestors were among the I'rcnch Hu- 
geunots, wlio came to America in search of 
religious freedom and settled in \'irginia, 
but the branch of the family to whom our 
subjects belongs subsequently removed to 
Kentucky. Among the most prominent and 
illustrious members of this famdy was his 
great-uncle. Benjamin Bristow, who servetl 
as secretary of the treasury in President 
Grant's cabinet. For years he was also at- 
torney general for the New York & Hudson 
River Railroad Company, and it was 
through his influence that Samuel A. Bris- 
tow took up the study of law, being offered 
a position in his office, but shortly before our 
subject's admission to the bar his uncle died. 
Pearson Bristow, his father's brother, is 
now second assistant postmaster general and 
was one of the number that unearthed the 
Xeely-Rathbone frauds in Cuba. 

Aha C. Bristow. the father of Samuel 
A., was born in Ohio, and was a son 
of ^\'illiam Bristow, one of the '49ers, 
who accumulated considerable wealth in 
California, but was killed and robbed on his 
way home. His wife, who bore the maiden 
name of Xbigail Smith, belonged to an old 
and prominent family of Kentucky. Being 
left an orphan when young. Alva C. Bris- 
tow spent his early life with relatives, and 
with an micle. George Smith, he came to 




S. A. BRISTOW. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



793 



Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1858, another 
uncle. Dr. S. S. Smith, having previously 
located here. The latter was one of the 
pioneer physicians of the county. Here Mr. 
Bristow started a newspaper called the In- 
dependent, which he published until i860, 
when he returned to Kentucky and made his 
home with his grandmother until the country 
became involved in civil war. He then ran 
away and enlisted at Mazon, Illinois, in 
Company F, Fifty-fifth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry. He was with Sherman on his 
campaign and during the battle of Atlanta 
was shot in the arm. At the close of the 
war he joined the regular army as a ser- 
geant and was stationed at Cairo, Illinois, 
for some time, remaining in the service until 
1869, when he returned to Vermilion coun- 
ty and located at Fithian. where he engaged 
in merchandising until 1872. During that 
year he became a resident of Danville and 
was connected with the Beethoven Organ 
Company until 1879, when he embarked in 
business on his own account as a dealer in 
wall paper, and paints, continuing in that 
line for twenty years. Later he was en- 
gaged in the insurance business in Danville 
until 1901. when he received the appoint- 
ment of usher at the Illinois state peniten- 
tiary at Joliet and is now holding that posi- 
tion. In 1866 he was married at ]\It. Ver- 
non, Illinois, to Miss America McLean, a 
native of Adams county, Kentucky. By 
this union were born three children, two 
sons and one daughter, but our subject is 
the only one now living. Religiously the 
father is a member of the Christian church, 
and fraternally is connected with the Bank- 
ers' Union and the Grand Army of the Re- 
public. The Republican party always finds 
in him a stanch supporter of its princi]iles 
and as a public-spirited and enterprising 
citizen he has never withheld his aid from 



any object which he believed would advance 
the moral, social or material welfare of the 
community in which he lives. 

Samuel A. Bristow of this review began 
his education in the ward schools of Dan- 
ville and for two years attended the high 
school of this city. Later he was a student 
at Garfield U^niversity of Wichita, Kansas, 
for the same length of time and also attend- 
ed the State University of Arkansas for two 
years. His law studies were prosecuted in 
the law department of the Northwestern 
L'niversity, where he was graduated in June, 
1896. After leaving that institution he held 
a position in the circuit clerk's oftice at Dan- 
ville until the following December. In No- 
vember previous he was admitted to the bar 
and on the ist of December opened an office 
at No. 16 East Main street, where he re- 
mained two years. Subsequently he had an 
office in the courthouse and from there re- 
moved to his present location at No. 14 East 
Main street. Success has attended his ef- 
forts and he has been connected with some 
of the most important litigation tried in this 
count}', including the Watson case, which 
was carried through the appellate and su- 
preme courts, the decision of the lower court 
lieing affirmed in each. 

On the 15th of December, 1897, at La- 
fayette, Indiana, Mr. Bristow was united in 
marriage to Miss Emma Ruth Humbert, 
who was born near that city, at West Point, 
in August, 1873. Her parents, George and 
Laura (McNeill) Humbert, were natives of 
Ohio and Illinois, respectively, and were 
married in Lafayette, Indiana. Near that 
city the father was engaged in farming until 
his retirement from active life in 1900. since 
which time he has made his home in La- 
fayette, being one of the wealthy and highly 
respected citizens of that place. In politics 
he is a Democrat and has held a number of 



794 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



townsliip and county offices. Socially he is 
a member of the Odd Fellows society, and 
is also a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal church. He has two children : Emma 
R., wife of our subject; and Harry, a resi- 
dent of Lafayette. 

Since boyhood Mr. Bristow has been 
practically identified with political affairs 
and has taken a very inlluential and promi- 
nent part in local elections, his support be- 
ing given the men and measures of the Re- 
publican party. He is still actively connect- 
ed with political work in Vermilion county, 
and is now serving as city collector of Dan- 
ville. He is a prciminent member of the 
Danville Club and of Danville Lodge, Xo. 
332. B. P. O. E., and is one of the most 
popular young men of the city, a recognized 
leader in both social and political circles. 



CHARLES E. JOXES. 

Charles E. Jones is the proprietor of 
Grovedale harm, situated on section 28, in 
A'ance township, \'ermilion county. This 
farm is one of the best in Vermilion county, 
and the owner is classed among the substan- 
tial and representative agriculturists of this 
part of Illinois. He was born November 9, 
1853, near Dubuque, Iowa, and is a son of 
William H. R. and Peninnah (Coon) Jones, 
the former a native of Greene county, Ohio, 
and the latter also a native. of the Buckeye 
state, where they were married. In this 
connection it will be interesting to kudw 
something of the geneakigy of the Jones 
family. Elisha Jones, the great-grandfa- 
ther of our subject, was born April 15, 
1770, and was married to Persia Taylor, 
who was born July 15. 1770. Eight chil- 
dren were l)orn of this union, their son, 



Elisha Jones, Jr., l>eing the second in order 
of birth. He was born January 28, 1796, 
and married Kalinda Watkins, who was 
born May 20, 1800. and died January 13, 
1872. Twelve children were bom of this 
union, of whom William H. Raper Jones, 
the father of our subject, was the fifth in 
order of birth. He was born June 1 1. 1828, 
and married Peninnah Coon, October .\, 
184S. Seven children were born unto them : 
James K., born September 20, 1849. mar- 
ried Carrie Harrison. They have one child 
and reside in Norwood, Kansas. ^Mary An- 
gelina, now deceased, became the wife of 
Sanuiel Rudolphus Copeland, a resident of 
Oakwood township. She was born August 
9. 1 85 1, and his birth occurred May 16, 
1850. Charles E. is the third child of this 
union. Lydia .\nn. born March 20, 1836, 
died July 15, 1857. George T. is the fifth 
in order of birth. Marguerite Louise, born 
July 5, 1862, is also represented on another 
])age of this work. Willie, the seventh 
child, was born .\ugust 10, 1865. and died 
January 30, 1866. 

William H. R. Jones, the father of 
Charles E., was a blacksmith by trade and 
also followed farming to some extent. In 
the '40s he removed from Ohio to Dubuque, 
Iowa, where he engaged in coal mining, op ■ 
crating one of the mines there. He also 
worked at the blacksmith's trade there. In 
a few years he sold his farm there and re- 
turned to Ohio, where he ])nrcliascd another 
farm. later he sold this and removed tc 
Richland county. Illinois, settling near Ol- 
ney. Here he ])urchased a farm and re- 
mained thereon for two years. He then re- 
moved to a farm which he purchased six 
miles .south of Fairmount. Illinois. Later 
he sold this and bought the John Daugh- 
erty farm. He sold this and bought a farm 
of the heirs of Dr. Fellows. There he lived 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



795 



vmtil liis death, which occurred March 17, 
1901. He had hved for thirty years con- 
tinuousl}' upon this latter farm. His wife 
had died on the farm in 1880 and in the year 
1881 he was married the second time, the 
lady of his choice being Henrietta Smith, a 
native of Ilhnois, and now a resident of 
Fithian, Ilhnois. Mr. Jones was a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and fra- 
ternally was connected with the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he 
was a Republican. He was a very active 
and energetic man and did much toward the 
general upbuilding and development of the 
communities in which he resided. 

Charles E. Jones first attended school 
near Xenia, five miles east of the city, and 
later in Illinois, leaving school at the age of 
twenty. He then assisted his father on the 
farm and also engaged in teaching school. 
At the age of twenty-one he rented a farm. 
On the 24th of December, 1874, Mr. Jones 
was united in marriage to Mary Ann 
Stearns, born in Oakwood township, Ver- 
milion county, September 26, 1855, and a 
daughter of Harrison and Hester Ann 
(Reiley ) Stearns. The father was a son of 
Melzar and Axie (Cransonj Stearns, both 
natives of New York, where Harrison 
Steams also was born. Hester Ann 
(Reiley) Stearns was a daughter of Rich- 
ard Reiley and her mother bore the maiden 
name of Sarah Macy. They were married 
in North Carolina and when their eldest 
child was eleven months old they removed 
to Ohio. — a distance of five hundred miles, 
— Mr. Reiley walking while his wife rode 
horseback, carrying the baby. Mrs. Jones' 
parents were married in Ohio, where Mr. 
Stearns engaged in farming until his re- 
moval to Illinois in 1836, locating near 
Muncie, Vermilion countv. He entered 



land and built a log house, later adding to 
his landed possessions and building a frame 
house. This modest structure was sup- 
planted later by a large and commodious 
residence of modern design and architec- 
ture. In this home he lived until his death, 
which occurred on the 12th of December, 
1885. His remains were interred in Stearns 
cemetery near Muncie. Three years later 
the mother was called to her final rest. Mr. 
Stearns was a member of the Baptist 
church, in which he was a deacon. He was 
a stanch Democrat in his political views, yet 
he always refused to hold office, preferring 
to give his attention to his business affairs 
and live the quiet life of the private citizen. 
He was a man of prominence in his commu- 
nity, highly respected by all. He and his 
wife were the parents of seven children, 
four of whom are yet living. Sarah is the 
wife of William Reams and resides on the 
old homestead near Muncie, Illinois; Alel- 
zar R. resides in Danville, Illinois ; Martha 
L. is the wife of Walter Reams, of Cliicago, 
Illinois; and Mary Ann, now Mrs. Jones, is 
the fourth member of the family. 

After his marriage Mr. Jones settled on 
his father's farm, and there remained for 
two years. He then removed to his wife's 
father's farm and there remained for a 
period of three years, at the end of which 
time he purchased one hundred and ninety- 
five acres in Vance township, on section 28. 
There he established the beautiful fami 
called Grovedale. On this farm everything 
is done to make it the most attractive and 
producti\c of its kind. The rich fields of 
grain yield abundant har\-ests and the stock 
is of the best grade. The grounds too are 
laid out in an artistic manner and the farm 
as a whole is one of the finest in the state. 
Mr. Jones erected on his place a handsome 



796 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



residence on the Queen Anne style of archi- 
tecture, and has a splenchd large barn and 
every necessary equipment. 

Tlie home of Mr. and Mrs. Jones lias 
been blessed with nine children. Nettie E.. 
born .August 31, 1875, is the wife of Coll 
McFherson, of Catlin, Illinois, a farmer by 
occupation. They have three children, 
Archie. Earl, and Leone. Herman P., born 
July 14, 1S77, resides with his parents. 
Peninnah, born July 19, 1879, married Dr. 
J. W. O'Haver; Carrie Pauline, bom May 
6, 1882. Harrison, torn March 22, 1884, 
Turner, born June 9, 1888. and Lennic, 
born .\])ril 25. 1893. are all at home. An 
infant, born August 11, 1898, died the same 
day. Xellie Marguerite, born April 25, 
1900, is the baby of the family. Mr. Jones 
is a member t>i the Baptist church, of which 
he is a deacon. A Republican in politics 
he has ne\er cared for and has always 
refused to accept office. He is a man of gen- 
uine worih. whose influence for good in his 
county is widely felt. His farm is one of 
the attractive [jlaces of the county and he 
enjoys a high reputation as a representative 
citizen and agriculturist. 



DAVID MEADE. 



David ^leade was born in Xewtown, 
Vermilion county. Illinois. October 4, 1845. 
His great-great-grandfather, Lewis IMeade. 
emigrated from Gloucester, Englantl, to the 
United States long prior to the Revolution- 
ary war. His children were Jerry, Luke, 
Levi and Louisa. Of this number Le\i 
Meade was the great-grantlfather of our 
subject, and his children were Simeon, Na- 
thaniel. Lewis. Sanford. Maria, Louisa and 
Amanda. Nathaniel Meade, the grand- 



father of our subject, also had seven chil- 
dren : Sarah : William : David, who has 
passed away: George W'., a resident of Fith- 
ian : James R., also of Fithian; Ann; and 
Mary Jane. 

William Meade, the father of our sul)- 
ject, was born near Hamilton, Ohio, ]\Iay 
24, 1822, and was married to Margaret Tan- 
ner, about the fall of 1844, the wedding tak- 
ing place near Middlefork, \'ermilion coun- 
ty. She was born near Columbus, Ohio, 
June 2, 1824, a daughter of Peter Tanner, 
who was of (ierman birth, and Mary (Nich- 
ells) Tanner, a nati\e of New York. Her 
father was a colonel in the Revolutionary 
war and two of his sons were captains in the 
same regiment. Mr. and Mrs. William 
Meade became the parents of the following 
named: David. Marv Hannah. Samuel, 
Sarah Louisa. Melissa, Jacob, Allie and Ef- 
iie. and Nathaniel, who died when about 
three years of age. There were also three 
half brothers, Irvin. Delbert and Roljert 
I\Ieade. 

Levi Meade, who wedded Mary I'arris, 
became one (jf the pioneer settlers of \"er- 
milion county, settling in the edge of the 
timber between Fithian and Fairmount in 
1835. Fle entered land from the govern- 
ment at one dollar and a quarter \kv acre 
and engaged in the raising of grain and 
stock. Both he and his wife spent the re- 
uKiinder of their lives upon this farm. Will- 
iam Meade, the father of our subject, ar- 
ri\ed in this county with is parents, Na- 
thaniel and Hannah (Crane) Meade, when 
he was thirteen years of age and he has been 
identitied with the upbuilding and develop- 
ment of this portion of the state almost from 
the beginning. He obtained his education 
in this county in the ])rimitive subscription 
schools, attending school in a log house in 
which was an immense lireplace. The jour- 




DAVID MEADE. 




WILLIAM MEADE. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



So I 



ney had been made in one of the old time 
covered wagons and while en route they 
crossed the black swamps of Indiana. After 
arriving at years of maturity the father of 
our subject engaged in farming in Oakwood 
township up to the time of his death. He 
had lived there from the age of thirteen 
years, and, in fact, from that time until 
called to his final rest he never resided more 
than five or six miles from where the early 
settlement of the family was made. He 
died February 5, 1903, at the age of eighty 
years, six months and eleven days, and the 
mother of our subject passed away on the 
4th of October, 1866, at the age of forty- 
two years, four months and two days. After 
her death Mr. Meade was again married. 
In politics he was originally a Whig and 
subsequently became a stanch Republican. 
For many years he was officially connected 
with the schools of his district, yet he was 
never an office seeker nor did he desire polit- 
ical preferment. \\''hen he died he was the 
owner of two hundred acres of choice land 
all well improved and upon this place were 
seen many evidences of his life of industry, 
activity and capable business management. 
He made all of the improvements there and 
secured many modern accessories in order 
to facilitate his work. 

Mr. Meade, whose name introduces this 
review, was reared upon a farm in Oakwood 
township and early became familiar with the 
work in its various departments. At the 
usual age he began his education, and the 
first two schools which he ever attended 
were held in two primitive log buildings, 
where school was conducted on the sub- 
scription plan. The room was heated by an 
immense fireplace at one end and light was 
admitted through greased paper windows. 
The children sat upon slab benches and 
around the room was a writing desk con- 



sisting of a block supported upon pins driven 
into the logs. When twenty-one years of 
age Mr. Meade left the old home farm and 
began teaching, his desire and ambition be- 
ing to become a successful educator. He 
then taught for one term in Vermilion coun- 
ty, Indiana, and then returned to \'ermilion 
county, Illinois, where he was employed as 
a teacher in his home district. Subsequently 
he entered the State University in order to 
further his own education and by hard study 
during the succeeding three years he was 
enabled to master the branches of learning 
therein taught, so that he was qualified to 
take charge of the Fairmount graded school 
as its principal. He acted in that capacity 
for one year, and then became a student in 
the National Normal at Lebanon, Ohio, 
where he spent three terms at different 
times. Later he returned to his native coun- 
ty and taught a graded school in Oakwood, 
Illinois. On account of the smallpox epi- 
demic, however, he was forced to abandon 
that school, where he had remained only 
from September until the holidays. He 
then took charge of the school of Fithian,, 
where he remained for some time and after- 
ward went to Eugene, Indiana, where he 
taught for one term and then finished a term 
for a teacher in Newport, Indiana. Again 
he came to Vermilion county and taught 
another term in Oakwood. Once more he 
went to Eugene, Indiana, and was there 
united in marriage to one of his former pu- 
pils, Miss Lucy Hosford. He continued in 
charge of the Eugene schools with three 
teachers under his supervision, remaining 
at that place for nine years, during which 
time the school system was materially im- 
proved and excellent work done along edu- 
cational lines. 

Mr. Meade resigned his school in order 
to become an active factor in politics with 



8o2 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



the expectation of securing the nomination 
for sheriff of \'erniihon connty, Indiana, 
but lie lost by a fractional part of one vote, 
although he had two hundred plurality over 
any one candidate on the Republican ticket. 
He resumed teaching at Perrysville, Indi- 
ana, and from there came to Danxille in 
the spring of i88r. The succeeding autumn 
he went to Indianola, where he taught 
for one winter term and again he returned to 
Danville and was elected principal of the 
East Danville school, in which were eleven 
teachers. For nine years he capably served 
in that capacity and then at his request was 
transferred to the Franklin school, where he 
remained for five years. During the suc- 
ceeding year he enjoyed a period of rest and 
the:i took charge of the township high 
school in Perrysville, huliana, the scholars 
there having had to pass the eighth grade 
before entering that school. Professor 
Meade continued as a teacher there for over 
two years. Wherever he has been employed 
his work as an educator has given excellent 
satisfaction for his methods of teaching are 
practical and progressive and he is contin- 
ually alert to anything that tends to advance 
the cause of education. In 1900 he was one 
of a number who .sought the office of county 
superintendent of \'ermilion county and 
came within two of l)eing elected. Socially 
he is identified with the Knights of Pythias 
fraternity, holding membership in White 
Oak Lodge, of Danville. He is also con- 
nected witli the Royal Circle and in politics 
he is a stalwart Republican. 

It was on the 24th of September, 1873, 
that Professor Meade was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Lucy Hosford, who was torn, 
reared and educated in Eugene, Indiana, and 
is a graduate of the Eugene school. Her 
parents, Milo and Maria (Holtz) Hosford, 
were also natives of Indiana. Unto Pro- 



fessor Meade and his wife ha\e been born 
four chiklren. Anna, who is now a teacher 
in the Douglass school, where her father was 
principal for nine years, is a graduate of the 
Danville high "school and the State Normal 
school of Michigan and is well qualified for 
the task which she is now performing. Ray 
JL, who is also well educated, is now in 
the employ of the Wabash Railroad Com- 
pany as chief clerk in the machinery depart- 
ment. Jessie and Margaret Meade are both 
students in the high school. 

Since abandoning his educational work 
Professor Meade has devoted his attention 
to farming interests northwest of Danville 
and he also owns a farm in Wayne county, 
Illinois, in addition to his town property. 
In i8q4 he located at No. 520 Meade avenue 
in a well appointed house on the street which 
is named in his honor. He is a gentleman 
of strong intellectuality, of marked strength 
of character and of sterling purpose and 
whatever he has undertaken he has accom- 
phslied through diligence, untiring energy 
and capability. Wherever he has labored 
in the interest of the schools it has been 
found that education has made marked ad- 
vancement and his intluence along this line 
has been far-rcachiu"' and beneticial. 



WILLI.VM A. CHURCH. 

To recount the events of Mr. Church's 
bovhiio<l would loe to give a history of pio- 
neer life and experiences in \'ermilion coun- 
ty, lie was born about seventy-five yards 
frnni his present home on section 33, Cat- 
lin townshii), his natal day being July 15, 
JS33. His i)arents were Alexander and 
Ruth (Caraway) Church, pioneer settlers 
of \'erniilion county. Charles anil Joshua 
Carawav entered the land comprised within 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



803 



the farm of our subject. Alexander Church 
accompanied by his family, arrived in Ver- 
milion county from Virginia in 1830 and 
settled three-quarters of a mile west of Cat- 
lin. He was of English descent and the 
great-grandfather of our subject was the 
founder of the family in the new world, 
where he arrived prior to the Revolutionary 
war, taking up his home, it is thotight, in 
the Old Dominion. It was in that state, at 
least, that William Church, the grandfather, 
made his home and at the time of the war of 
181 2 he joined the army in defense of 
America and died during the contest while 
in a hospital at Norfolk, Virginia. He left 
a wife and nine children, including Alex- 
ander Church, who was reared, educated 
and married in Virginia and as stated above 
he came to Vermilion county as one of its 
pioneers. When he arrived here the coun- 
try was very wild, in fact, Vermilion county 
was situated on the very border of civili- 
zation and the Indians were more numerous 
than the v.'hite settlers. The family was es- 
tablished in a little log cabin with puncheon 
floor made of native timber and the father 
devoted his attention to general farming 
and stock-raising. He was always very 
fond of good horses and kept good grades 
of stock. In these early times he would 
haul his farm products to Perrysville, Eu- 
gene and Lafayette. By his marriage to 
Miss Caraway ten children were born, of 
whom fo'.ir are living, William A. being the 
fourth. The others are : Sarah, who makes 
her home with her brothers in Catlin town- 
ship ; and Joseph C. and Charles C, who are 
residents of that township. Those who 
have passed away are John, Charles, Mary 
Jane, Ruth, Isabel and Morgan. The father 
died February 7, 1892, and had he li\-ed two 
months long^er lie would have reached the 
age of ninety years. The mother of our 



su])ject, h(i\vever, passed away during the 
boyhood of her son William. 

The educational privileges which \\"ill- 
iam A. Church received were limited. He 
attended a subscription school, the little 
"temple of learning" being a log building 
with a stick and clay chimney, the smoke 
making its egress from an immense fire- 
place that extended across one end of the 
room. In those days the scholars would 
carry the fuel to school and take turns in 
lighting the fire. Hickory rods always 
hung upon the wall ready for the chastise- 
ment of an unruly pupil. While Mr. Church 
had but meager school advantages his train- 
ing at farm labor was not limited and al- 
most from the time he could reach the plow- 
handle he worked in the fields. The first 
plow which he used had a wooden mold 
board and the corn was cultivated with a 
single shovel, while a single line rope made 
from flax was used in driving the horses. 
Grain was planted by hand and covered with 
a hoe and when ripe the small grain was 
cut with a sickle and cradle. The family 
wore homemade clothing, the mother doing 
her own spinning and weaving, making her' 
tlu-eacl from flax and also manufacturing 
woolen garments that were used in the win- 
ter months. The shoes were manufactured 
by a traveling shoemaker, who visited one 
house after another in the neighborhood, but 
when the weather was not too inclement the 
members of the houseliould, especially the 
children, went barefooted and it was no un- 
usual thing to see the little girls of the 
neighborhood carrying their shoes to church 
and sitting upon a log to put them on just 
before the services. After the meeting they 
would remove them and return home bare- 
footed. Fires were made with the use of 
flint and tow and light was furnished by 
grease lamps or bx dipped candles, for in 



8o4 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



those days not even candle molds had come 
into use and keroseiie was not known. At 
an early pioneer epoch camp meetings were 
held in Mr. Caraway's barn, whicli is now 
over seventy years old, l)ut which has since 
been remodeled. Cooking was done over 
the fireplace, the heavy iron pots hanging 
from the crane and the corn bread was 
baked u])uu a smooth board. 

When William A. Church began farm- 
ing for himself he rented land and later he 
purchased an eighty acre tract in Catlin 
township. This was wild and unimproved, 
save that fifteen acres had been broken, but 
with characteristic energy Mr. Church be- 
gan its further cultivation and development 
and to-day his splendid farm is the direct 
resuh of his labors. Here he planted trees 
and erected a good building and from time 
to time he has added to his landed posses- 
sions until he now owns several good farms, 
in addition to the home place, upon which 
he located about 1892. Since that time he 
has built an addition to the house and has 
remodeled it into a modern structure. He 
has also built fences and otherwise improved 
t!ie property and is now successfully en- 
gaged in general farming and stock-raising, 
having a number of good horses, cattle, 
sheen and hogs, including some thorough- 
bred cattle of the polled angus breed, in fact, 
the farm is indicative of the supervision of a 
progressive, practical owner and yields to 
him a good return for the labor he bestows 
upon it. 

On the 9th of December, 1852. William 
A. Church was married to Hester M. Doug- 
las, who was born in Catlin township, Oc- 
tober 7. 1834, and is also a representative 
of a pioneer family, her parents. Thomas 
W. and Delilah (Payne) Douglas, having 
entered land where the county poor farm 
now stands. Thev too lived in \^crmilion 



cou!Uy w hen Indians were numbered among 
its inhabitants. They became the parents of 
eleven children, seven of whom are living, 
namely: William H. ; John M. ; Mrs. Em- 
ily J. Campljell ; Mrs. Clarissa A. Douglas, 
who is a widow and resides in Catlin ; Mrs. 
Hannah E. Songer, a widow living in Kan- 
sas: Hester ^L, the wife of our subject ; and 
I. E., a resident of Jewell county, Kansas. 
Those who have passed away are Elizabeth, 
Stewart, Erastus and Angeline, who was 
Mrs. Kingham. I\lr. and Mrs. Church be- 
came the parents of five children : Mrs. 
Sarah D. Acrec, a widow of Danville, who 
has eight children; W. J., who married 
Clara Boggess and has six children; Laura, 
the wife of Alonzo Busby and the mother 
of seven children; T. W., who assists in the 
operations of the home farm and married 
Hannah Shelton, by whom he has a bright 
baby boy named b'ay ; and C. S., a merchant 
of Sidell, who married Ella Wright and 
has four children. Mr. and Mrs. Church 
have twenty-si.x grandchildren and one 
great-grandchild, Jarrett H. Acree, of Dan- 
ville. On the 9th of December, 1902, Mr. 
and .Mrs. Church celebrated their golden 
wedding anniversary. This worthy pioneer 
couple are indeed widely known in \'ermil- 
ion county and have many warm friends. 
This liistory would be incomplete without 
mention of them so long have they resided 
here, witnessing the growth and progress 
of the county and bearing no insignificant 
])art in its work of development. 



JAMES GOODWINE. 

James Goodwine is a leading and well 
known stock-dealer of Vermilion county, 
ha\ing conducted important business inter- 
ests of this kind. He was born May 19, 




JAMES GOODWINE. 




MRS. JAMES GOODWINE. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



809 



1 85 1, a half mile south of his present home, 
his parents. John and Jane (Charleton) 
Goodwine, having been very early settlers 
of Blount township. In the district schools 
he acquired his education, working on a 
farm in the summer months, while in the 
winter he pursued his studies. He continued 
upon the old homestead until he had attained 
his majority, when he started out in life on 
his own account, locating on his present 
place on section 30, Blount township. Here 
he engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising. He makes a specialty of shorthorn 
cattle and also has a large number of horses, 
mules and hogs. He has altogether over 
two hundred head of stock on his farm and 
he is regarded as one of the leading stock 
farmers of this portion of the state. When 
he took possession of this property it was 
largely covered with timber, but he cleared 
away the trees, improved his land, drained 
and tiled it. In the early days he saw many 
deer, and lesser game of all kinds was to be 
had in abundance. He engaged in hunting 
and has shot many wild turkeys, prairie 
chickens, geese and ducks on his own place. 
He remembers well his early boyhood days 
and the pioneer conditions and environ- 
ments, and it is with deep interest that he 
has witnessed the growth and progress of 
the county, bearing his part in its develop- 
ment. He has never sought office, but has 
been identified with the upbuilding of the 
county and is justly regarded as one of its 
worthy citizens. 

Mr. (joodwine was married in 1879 to 
JNlinerva King, who was born in New Jer- 
sey. She died September i, 1901, and her 
twin babies died about the same time. All 
were buried in the same coffin, a little child 
being ]ilaced on each of the mother's arms. 
This was one of the saddest funerals ever 
held in the neighborhood, for Mrs. Good- 

32 



wine was deeply loved by all who knew her. 
She was a devoted and tender wife and 
mother and her memory is still enshrined in 
the hearts of those with whom she had been 
brought in contact. Five children still sur- 
vi\e her. Nellie is now the wife of J. C. 
Newberry and has two daughters, Ruth and 
Minerva. Roy, Goldie, Harry and Marie 
are all at home. 

Mr. Goodwine gives his attention large- 
ly to his farm work and is a progressive, 
wide-awake agriculturist. His corn and 
oats usually average about fifty bushels to 
the acre. He has all of the latest improved 
machiner}' upon his farm, as well as his 
high grades of stock, and each branch of his 
business is proving a profitable source of in- 
come. Energy and determination have been 
one of the strong elements of his success, 
and his life record should prove to others 
what ma}' be accomplished through resolu- 
tion and energy. 



WILLIAM J. MOORE, M. D. 

William J. Moore, M. D., who as a rep- 
resentative of the medical fraternity of Ver- 
milion county has practiced long and suc- 
cessfully in Dan\ ille, was born in Cham- 
paign county, Illinois, July 14, 1847, a son^ 
of William R. and Mary (Hargen) Moore, 
the former a native of Trenton. New Jer- 
sey, and the latter of Oxford, Ohio. Locat- 
ing in Danville, his father carried on gen- 
eral merchandising and real estate business, 
li\ing in this city until his death. His po- 
litical support was given the Whig party 
until its dissolution, when he joined the 
ranks of the new Republican party, support- 
ing it until his demise, which occurred in 
1875. His wife had passed away in 1847. 



8io 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Dr. Moore, their only child, was a stu- 
dent in the schools of Danville until fifteen 
years of age, when he enlisted as a defender 
of the Union cause, becoming a member of 
Company L, Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer 
Cavalry, in 1862, under Captain Wollcott 
and Colonel I'heilman, being mustered in at 
Springfield. The regiment was ordered to 
southern Illinois and thence to Virginia, be- 
ing attached to the command of General 
Burnsides. Dr. Moore was taken prisoner 
at the l)attle of Jonesville, Virginia, and 
held as a captive for seven weeks, after 
which he succeeded in making his escape. 
He was also wounded by a rebel ball in the 
left ankle and then returned home on a fur- 
lough, following which time he rejoined his 
command in Georgia and entered the cam- 
paign under General Sherman, as a member 
of Stillman's Cavalry Corps. After the fall 
of Atlanta he returned to Kentucky, pro- 
ceeded southward to the Tennessee river 
and, entering the command of General 
Thomas, fell back to Nashville, participat- 
ing in the battle in that place. Later he fol- 
lowed Hood in Alabama and afterward 
again went to Tennessee, this time 1>eing or- 
dered to Franklin, where he was mustered 
out in 1865 by reason of the close of the 
war. 

Returning to Chicago, Dr. Moore was 
f(;r one year a student in the Dearborn Uni- 
versity of that city and next entered Bryant 
& Stratton's Commercial College, in which 
he was graduated in 1867. Returning to 
Danville, he was for one year a clerk in 
Woodbury's Pharmacy, followed" by a year 
spent as a student in a college in Keokuk 
Iowa, after which he entered the Rush Med- 
ical (College of Chicago, in which he was 
graduated in 1870. In Carthage, Hancock 
county, Illinois, he entered upon the prac- 
tice of his profession, but later came to 



Dan\ille, where he has since remained and 
through almost a third of a century he has 
continued in practice here, winning an envi- 
ali'e reputation as a physician, whose skill 
am! ability commendetl him to the ci^nn- 
dcnce of the public and won for him a liii- 
eral patronage. 

On the joth of October. 1881, in Ross- 
\ilie. Illinois. Dr. Moore was married to 
Ella Doretta Langhans, who was born in 
W'ooster, Ohio. Mrs. Moore's parents were 
married in W'ooster, Ohio, and subsequently 
Mr. Langhans engaged in business in Ver- 
milion county, where he arrived alxiut 1879. 
He is now residing on Gilbert street in this 
city. Unto the Doctor and his wife have 
Iteen born two children, of whom one is 
living, Luciie D, 

The Doctor owns real estate in Danville 
;uid farm interests in X'ermilion county, 
haxing made judicious in\estments of the 
capital that has come to him through his 
successful practice. He is a member of the 
\'ermilion County Medical Society and the 
American Medical Association and fratern- 
a!I\' he is connected with the Knights of 
Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of 
America. In politics he votes independent- 
ly, not being bound by party ties. 



MONROE PUGH. 



Monroe Pugh. who is engaged in gen- 
eral merchandising in Humrick, was born 
a mile and a half south of this village in 
Ehvood township on the 25th of ^lay, 1864. 
His parents were Granville and Lydia 
(Thompson) Pugh. The father was a 
native of Ohio and was reared to farm life. 
He had one brotlier and one sister, but both 
are now deceased. His death occurred up- 
on the home farm in Ehvood township 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



8ii 



when he was seventy-four years of age. 
His wife was born in Clark county, Indi- 
ana, and came of a family of Quaker farm- 
ers. Most of the children of the household 
are now deceased, but Mrs. Pugh is still 
living at the age of sixty-seven years, her 
home being in Ridgefarm. By her mar- 
riage she became the mother of nine chil- 
dren : John, who is a farmer of Ridgefarm 
and has eight children; Isaac, a widower 
living in Eureka Springs, Arkansas ; Ezra, 
a resident farmer of Champaign county, 
Illinois, who has four children; Paris J., 
an agriculturist of Love township, Vermil- 
ion county, who has three children; Mon- 
roe of this review; one that died in in- 
fancy; Howard, who is living upon the old 
homestead near Humrick, and has two 
children; Mrs. Jane Banta, of Edgar coun- 
ty, Illinois who has four children ; and Mrs. 
L. Dolly Kiger, who died leaving two chil- 
dren. 

Monroe Pugh was reared to farm life 
and continued to reside on the home place 
assisting in the work of the farm until 1891, 
when he abandoned the plow and turned 
his attention to commercial pursuits, open- 
ing a general store in Humrick which he has 
since conducted with good success. He car- 
ries a large and well selected stock of goods 
and his earnest desire to please his patrons 
has resulted in winning for him a good trade. 

On the 29th of September, 1892, Mr. 
Pugh was united in marriage to Minnie 
Tutt, who was born March 2, 1870, a 
daughter of Albert and Jemima (Eraser) 
Tutt, of Humrick, who were farming peo- 
ple. Mrs. Pugh has one brother, James M. 
Tutt, who is an agriculturist of Humrick. 
She was educated in the common schools 
and reared under the parental roof. Her 
father was a soldier of the Civil war, en- 
listing from Vermilion county, Indiana. 



Mr. and Mrs. Pugh have a pleasant home 
in Humrick and their household is justly 
celebrated for its hospitality. Their mar- 
riage has been blessed with three children, 
Percy, Dolly L., and Patrick H., aged re- 
spectively nine, seven and five years. Mr. 
Pugh is a member of the Society of Eriends, 
or Quakers, and in politics he is an earnest 
Republican. He filled the office of justice of 
the peace for several terms, is now a no- 
tary public and is also serving as a school 
director. He is active in educational mat- 
ters, as well as in business, and the cause of 
the schools has found in him a warm friend. 
Socially he is connected with the Masonic 
fraternity, the Modern Woodmen of Amer- 
ica and the Court of Honor. Devoted to 
the welfare of his family, contributing in 
every way to their happiness, a good neigh- 
bor and a loyal citizen, Mr. Pugh ranks 
high among the residents of his village. 



CHARLES E. STEVENS. 

The farming interests of Vermilion 
county are well represented by Charles E. 
Stevens, who owns a valuable farm on sec- 
tion 18, Vance township. He is a native 
son of the county, his birth having occurred 
therein, on the loth of June, 1862. His 
parents, William J. and x\deline (Smith) 
Stevens, the former a native of Ohio and 
the latter of Illinois, were married in Ver- 
milion county, near Georgetown. The fa- 
ther purchased land in Vance township and 
thereon resided until about 1887, when after 
a life spent in active labor, he and his 
wife removed to Homer, Illinois, where they 
are now living retired, enjoying the fruits 
of their former toil. They are members of 
the Christian church and Mr. Stevens is a 



8l2 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



stanch Republican. Tliev were tlie parents 
of five children, all of whom are yet living. 
Flora is the wife of John Hardin, and re- 
sides in Allerton, Illinois ; Charles E. is the 
next in order of birth ; W'illiam married 
Dora Lynch and resides in Champaign 
county. Illinois: Bertrand married Delia 
Ogden and also resides in Champaign coun- 
ty : and Lulu resides with her parents. 

Charles E. Stevens spent his Ixjyhood 
and youth in the usual manner of farmer 
lads of the period, attending the district 
schools of the neighliorhood and in the sea- 
sons of vacation working upon his father's 
farm. Here he acquired habits of industry 
and economy which in later life formed tlie 
foundation of his successful business career. 
He attended school until nineteei: years of 
age. then worked for his father for a period., 
after which he rented land antl engaged in 
farming on his own account. He was mar- 
ried January 14, 1883, to Miss Estella Cus- 
ter, who was born in Wniiilion county 
/anuary 7. 1865. Her parents were George 
and Margurieta (McCauley) Custer, both 
natives of Ohio. The father, (ieorge Cus- 
ter, was a distant relati\c of the famed Gen- 
eral Custer, the great Indian fighter and 
scout. The parents were married in Ver- 
milion county, Illinois, and located on a 
farm here. They now reside in Homer, 
Illinois, where they are living retired from 
active life. Mr. and Mrs. Custer are both 
memljers of the Presbyterian church and he 
is a stanch Republican. They were the par- 
ents of .seven children, three girls and four 
boys. Of these, one son is now deceasefl. 
Otela. the wife of Da\id Winters, resides 
in \'ermilion county. Estella. now Mrs. 
Stexens. is the second in order of birth. 
Ophelia is the wife of Frank Hunt and re- 
sides in Emporia. Kansas. Vincent mar- 
ried Etta W'aldfirf and resides in I'eniwood. 



Chicago, where he is acting as an agent. 
Ouess married Ethel \'andergrifi'. and re- 
sides in Homer. Illinois. Howard married 
Minnie Maddern and resides in Roseland, 
Chicago. 

.\fter his marriage Mr. Stevens located 
on a farm in \'ance township where he has 
since lived continuously, with the exception 
of nine months spent in Kansas. Jn the 
latter i)lace he purchased one hundred and 
sixty acres of land. He then removed to liis 
present home in 1901. which was given to 
him by his father. This consists of one hun- 
dred acres of well cultivated land. He has 
a good home on it and substantial farm 
buildings of all kinds. He follows general 
farming and raises a high grade of horses, 
cattle and hogs for the market. His Chris- 
tian belief is indicated l)y his membership 
in the Presbyterian church and fraternally 
he is a member of the Ben Hur and Knights 
of the Globe organizations. A strong be- 
liever in the principles of the Republican 
])arty. he gives his support to its candidate? 
but he has always refused to hold office. 
He is a public-spirited man who takes a 
deep interest in the welfare of his commu- 
nitv and is not forgetful of his duties as i 
citizen. He is well known in his communitv 
as a man of integrity and honor. 



JAMES A. DICKSON. 

A native son and prominent farmer of 
Vermilion county. Illinois, is James A. Dick- 
.son. who was born near Indianola, Decem- 
ber 5. 183.]. He is a son of John and Eliza- 
beth ( Dovle) Dickson, both of whom were 
natives of Kentucky, where they were reared 
and married. From Kentucky they removed 
to Indianola. \'ermilion countv. Illinois, and 




MRS. J. A. DICKSON. 




JAMES A. DICKSON 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



S17 



here the father entered land and built a log 
house for his family. At this time the coun- 
try was wild prairie land and sloughs were 
numerous. The Indians, too, were encamped 
near, along the rivers. With characteristic 
energy Mr. Dickson, Sr., began to clear the 
land, and with tireless effort he labored un- 
til he had his farm well under cultivation. 
He lived here until his death, which oc- 
curred in 1837. He was an honored pioneer 
settler of Vermilion county and in politics 
was a Democrat. After the death of the 
father the mother continued to remain upon 
the farm and here reared her family. In 
1853 she had built a commodious frame 
house upon the place. Her death occurred 
December 28, 1854. 

James A. Dickson was one of a family 
of six children, only one of whom besides 
himself, still survives, namely, Mrs. Phebe 
Swank, the wife of J. P. Swank, of Indian- 
ola, Illinois. ]\Ir. Dickson was born in the 
log house built by his father and he pursued 
his education in a log schoolhouse three- 
fourths of a mile west of Indianola, and 
later a log schoolhouse in the town 
of Indianola. These primitive schools 
had slab seats placed on wooden pegs, 
no \\indows except those made of 
greased paper, and were heated with an 
old-fashioned stick fireplace. He left school 
at the age of sixteen and remained after that 
one year on the home farm assisting in the 
work of field and meadow. He then worked 
with his brother, on some swamp land, and 
later purchased land in what was then Car- 
roll township, but is now called Jamaica 
township. This land he improved and cul- 
tivated, and upon it he built a frame house 
of two rooms. He remained there until 
1857, when he was married. In taking up 
the life history of Mr. Dickson it cannot fail 
to be noted that his taste and ability along 



lines of agriculture are not only acquired, 
but are also inherited. As has been stated, 
his father, John Dickson, came to Vermilion 
county from Kentucky. The grandfather 
of our subject, who was Robert Dickson, 
came to Vermilion county from Kentucky 
in 1820, here entering land and building a 
log house, west of Indianola. This land he 
improved and cultivated and it remained in 
possession of the Dickson family, so that 
for the past eighty-five years continuously 
a Dickson has owned land in Vermilion 
county and the family is therefore one of the 
oldest if not the oldest settlers of the county. 
In 1857 James A. Dickson was mar- 
ried to Mary Frances Busby. Later, on the 
1 8th of November, i860, he was married 
to Amanda J. Sheppard, who was born in 
Vance township, Vermilion county. Illinois, 
December 20, 1832, and died July 11. .1888. 
She was a daughter of John and Nancy 
Sheppard, the former a native of Kentucky, 
and the latter of Indiana, she being his sec- 
ond wife. They were married in Vermilion 
county and Mr. Sheppard built and owned 
the farmers' Sheppard mills. In politics he 
was a Republican, and he was the father of 
a family of two girls and two boys, all now 
deceased. By his first union Mr. Dickson 
had one child, Geneva, now the wife of De- 
loss Campbell, of Winterset, Iowa, and who 
has one little daughter, Genex'a. Unto the 
second marriage of Mr. Dickson three chil- 
dren were liorn. John W., born September 
13, 1861, married Miss Mary Sowers, and 
resided in \^ance township. He died April 
13, i8q5, leaving one child, James R. 
Simon was born December 13, 1863," and 
married April 21, 1886, to Miss Cora Hil- 
ton, who was born July 12, 1865. They re- 
side with the subject of this review, and 
have four children, Grace P.. Ernest E.. 
Edna May, and Hazel Ester. Charles E., 



8i8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



born in October, 1865, died February 3, 
1899. In Deceinlier, 1890, he was married 
to Jessie Miller, who died February 2, 1898. 
Mr. Dickson lived on the farm of his 
first purchase for eleven years. He then 
sold it and bought the farm on which he 
now lives. This comprises five hundred and 
forty acres of land situated on sections 22 
and 27 in Jamaica township and eighty acres 
in Georgetown township. In addition to 
his agricultural pursuits he was for many 
years extensively engaged in stock-raising, 
but he is now living retired upon his farm. 
Here he has a comfortable and attracti\e 
residence, which is large and roomy, as well 
as being of a pleasing style of architecture. 
His farm is ecpiipped with the latest im- 
proved farming implements and he has one 
of the largest and best barns in the county. 
Mr. Dickson is also largely interested in gold 
mining stock. He is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church of Jamaica in which 
he is acting as trustee. He is a stanch Dem- 
ocrat and is well versed on the questions of 
the day which are inqxirtant to the interests 
of the country. A genial and well informed 
old gentleman, his friends find his compan- 
ionship pleasureable and instructive. He is 
still (juite active and does not look to be 
over forty-five years of age. He is a man of 
prominence in his township and is highly re- 
garded by all. 



HENRY S. BAKER. 

The family history of all good Amer- 
ican citizens is of general interest, because 
it has been through the efiforts of these that 
our nation has thrived and prospered and 
has becomne one of the greatest of the 
world. Henry S. Baker comes of a family 



who have ably born their share in the work 
of improvement and development in the 
United States which has been carried for- 
ward to such wonderful accomplishment. 
He was Ixjrn in Washington county, Penn- 
sylvania, October 12, 1856, and is a son of 
luiix-h and Margaret (Speers) Baker, both 
natives of Washington county, Pennsyl- 
\ania, the fnrnier liurn at Belleville, near 
I'Vedericktown. that state. The mother was 
bum in a brick house which is now one hun- 
dred years okl, and was visited two years 
ago by the subject of this review. Enoch 
Baker was the son of David Baker, whose 
father was Xathan Baker, who settled in 
I'hiladelphia, Pennsyhania, and by his first 
wife became the father of the following chil- 
dren : Aaron, Nehemiah, David, Joseph, 
luioch, Xathan, Mrs. Mary Linten, Mrs. 
Lidia Townsand and William. The second 
wife of Nathan Baker was Mrs. Jordan, a 
widow. By this union were born the fol- 
lowing children : Israel, Mahlon and Han- 
nah. David Baker, the third son of the 
first marriage of Xathan Uaker, was Ijorn in 
Washington county, Pennsylvania, Decem- 
ber 15, 1781, and was married h'ebruary 14, 
1805, to IMargaret Robbins, a daughter of 
Joseph Robbins, born in Washington coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania, February 10, 1780. David 
Baker dietl August 27, 1836, and his wife 
passed away March 30, 1852. They were 
the j)arents of se\en children. Elizabeth 
was born Xoxcmber 26, 1805. and died June 
13, 1872. She was the wife of Thomas 
Horton and resided at Belleville, Pennsyl- 
\ania. Hiram, born October Jj. 1807, was 
married to ^liss McDuneyhugh and dieil 
May 13, 1891. He resided at Ridgefarm in 
Elwood township. N'erniiliiin county, Illi- 
nois. Joseph was born No\ember 20. 1810, 
and died February 5, 1813. Sarah, born 
November 9. J 81 3, married Daniel Dunn, 




SIMON A. DICKSON. 




MRS. JOHN DICKSON. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



82^ 



resided in West Union, Washington county, 
Pennsylvania, and died June 19, 1902. 
Enoch, born December 25, 1815, died Jan- 
uary 7, iiS82, and was the father of Henry 
S. Baker, of this review. Jane, born ]May 
10, 1818, died March 2, 1878. She was 
the wife of Benjamin White, and resided 
in Belleville, Pennsylvania, but died in Jay 
county. Indiana. Enieline, the seventh 
child, was born September 24, 1823, and 
died July 3, 1880. Enoch Baker, the fifth 
child of David Baker, was married in Wash- 
ington county, Pennsylvania, about 1839, to 
Margaret Speers. who was born in the same 
county. September 29, 1822. She was a 
daughter of Appolis and Elizabeth (Cooper) 
Speers. Elizabeth Cooper was one of a 
family of nine children, as follows : Eliza- 
beth, bom ]\[arch 22. 1803; Harriette, 
born July 5, 1805; Jackman, born De- 
cember 10. 1807; George W., born Sep- 
tember 5, iSio: Xancy B., born Novem- 
ber 16. 181 2; Narcissa, bom May 20, 
1815; Jehu. Iwrn August 10, 1818; Josiah, 
bom October 25. 182 1; and J. Freder- 
ick, born October 7, 1824. Unto Appolis 
and Elizabeth (Cooper) Speers were born 
ten children, as follows : Margaret, the wife 
of Enoch Baker, born September 29, 1822; 
Nancy, deceased, was bom July 6, 1825; 
Mary S.. who was born October i, 1827, is 
the wife of B. W. Johnson and resides in 
Nebraska ; Sarah B. Lucas, born February 
25, 1830. is a widow and resides in Iowa; 
Captain Solomon C, born May 12, 1832, 
was twice married and resided in Pennsyl- 
vania: Noah, born August 27,, 1834. mar- 
ried Amanda Ward and lived on the old 
Speers homestead, where he died November 
28. 1898. Henry \'., born February 2j, 
1837, married and lived in Marshalltown, 
Iowa. Jacob B., also a resident of i\Iar- 
shalltown, was born July 8, 1839; Jasper, 



born January 17, 1842, died at the age of 
twenty-one; and Clara E., who was born 
October 2, 1844, married James Walker, a 
resident of Marshalltown Iowa. For some 
time after his marriage Enoch Baker, the 
father of our subject, engaged in farming 
in Washington county, Pennsylvania, living 
at his first place for a short period and then 
removing to Ten Mile, in the same county. 
From there he removed to Amwell town- 
ship, in Washington county, and there spent 
the remainder of his life. He died January 
7, 1882. His widow is still living there. 
His remains were interred in Pleasant Hill 
cemetery, in Washington county. For 
years he was a member of the Presbyterian 
church and held office in his township. In 
politics he was a stanch Republican. 

Enoch Baker and his wife became the 
parents of eight children. Sarah Jane, bom 
December 19, 1839, married Albert Voor- 
hees. who came to Vermilion county in 
1850. She died in 1893. Nancy Maria, 
Ix^rn January 24, 1843, died August' 24, 
I goo. She married J. N. Horn and re- 
sided in Washington county, Pennsylvania. 
David B., born December 18, 1845, married 
Sarah Strauss, and resides in Washington, 
Pennsylvania. Apollo S., born September 
20, 1850. married Clara Clark, who died, 
and he afterward married Sarah F. Long. 
They reside one mile east of Jamaica, Illi- 
nois. Henry S., the fifth member of the 
family, is the subject of this review. 
Charles H.. a twin brother of Henry S., was 
born October 12. 1856, and died on the 31st 
of the same month. Clara B. was bom 
January 5, 1859, married William Hughes, 
and resides in Washington, Pennsylvania. 
Frank R., born July 12, 1862, married Kit- 
tie Hamilton and resides on the old home- 
stead farm. 

The subject of this review attended the 



824 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



district scliools of Aniwell townsiiip, Wash- 
ingtim county, Pennsylvania, until he was 
twenty-one years of age. During vacation 
he assisted his father upiMi the farm. He 
came to \'ermilion county. Illinois, in 1879, 
where he entered the employ of Silas Clarke, 
continuing with him for three years. He 
then returned to Pennsylvania, hut was not 
satisfied and returned again to the west. 
On the 27th of l-ebruary. 1884. he was mar- 
ried near (_'atlin, llhunis. to .Miss Nettie E. 
Boggess, who was born in X'ermilion coun- 
ty, Illinois, June 10. i86_>. She was a 
daughter of E. P. and ]\Iary (Lightner) 
Boggess, hiith n;iti\es of X'ermilion county, 
the father bom July 17. 1837, and the 
mother in Danville, September 4. 1841. 
Mr. and Mrs. Boggess were married in 
Danville. Illinois, anl located on a farm 
in \'ermilion county, three miles northwest 
of Catlin, where Mr. Boggess remainetl 
until his retirement in 1895. when he re- 
nK>\ed to Catlin. I lis first wife died in 
August. 1867. and in 1868 he was again 
married, leading to the altar Mary E. Aus- 
tin. She was born near Dayton. Ohio, and 
was a very successful school teacher. Mr. 
Boggess was also a school teacher of note. 
His wife died December 15, 1880. and on 
the _'5th of December. 1882. he was again 
married, his third union being with Han- 
nah J. Elliott, who was born in Paxton, 
Ford county, Illinois, in December, 1846. 
She ;uid her husband are now li\ing in Cat- 
lin. She was a successful school teacher, 
having taught in the high .school in Cham- 
paign, Illinois. .\s has i)een saiil, Mr. l>og- 
gess was also a teacher in his early days. 
He was a devoted member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church and took ;m acti\e inter- 
est in its work, ;it different times holding 
all the offices in the church for many years. 
He was formerlv a member of the Masonic 



fraternity and voted with the Republican 
party. Mrs. Baker is the second of three 
children born unto her father by his first 
marriage. Alice, the wife of Peter L. 
Shaver, resides at Latham. Illinois. Robert 
L. died at the age of six months. By Mr. 
Boggess' second marriage there were six 
children. Olive G. is the wife of William 
H. Ray. a successful farmer of Homer, Illi- 
nois. I'rank A. married Rose Bacon, of 
l)an\ille. Illinois, and now resides in Fow- 
ler. Colorado, where he is principal of a 
school. His wile was formerly a teacher in 
the Danville schools. Arthur C. was born 
in Catlin. Illinois. ^larch 2. 1874. is nt>w 
.attending the L'ni\crsity of Wisconsin and 
holils a state certificate in Illinois. He was 
gradu.'Ued from the Illinois State Normal in 
1900 and from Illinois L'niversity in 1902. 
Maud L. died at the age of nine 
months. .\gnes M. resides at home. 
Ral])h \'. is principal of schools at Cheney- 
ville. Illinois, and is a teacher of marked 
ability. By the third marriage of Mr. Bog- 
gess were born two children. Charles, at 
home, and h'dith E.. a student of the Dan- 
N'ille higli school. 

In connection with the genealogical his- 
tor\' of the B;iker faniil}' it is necessary to 
mention the Robbins family, who were 
noted ,'ind honored earlv settlers of Penn- 
sylvania. Jane Robbins was the great- 
grandmother of Mr. Baker of this re\-iew on 
the paternal side and was the wife of Jo- 
seph Robbins in whose family were the fol- 
lowing children, twelve in number: Sarah, 
born December 7, 1768; Leah, born March 
19. 1770; Mary. lK)rn January 30. 177-'; 
Josenb. born May 2j. 1774; Jane, born 
.May 31. 177^): .\braliani, born May 21, 
177S: Margaret, the grandmother of our 
subject, born I-'ebrnary 10. 1784: Lyda, 
born Xo\ ember 2. 1781 ; .Mice. lx)rn Octo- 




WM. FITHIAN, M. D. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



825 



ber 29, 1783; Bethany, l:)orn September 17, 
1785; Abigail, born December 17. 1787; 
and Esther, born November 7, 1789. Mr. 
Baker's ancestors were a hardy family of 
people, with strong constitutions and sterl- 
ing traits of character. 

After their marriage Henry S. Baker 
and wife settled upon the farm which they 
now occupy. This farm comprises one hun- 
dred and twenty acres on section 24, in 
Vance township. Mr. Baker has cultivated 
his land improving it in every way and 
making it one of the model farms of the 
county. Here he successfully carries on 
farming and is extensively engaged in rais- 
ing a good grade of stock for the markets, 
including Poland China hogs, horses and 
cattle. He is authority in his community on 
this grade of hogs and is considered a sub- 
stantial and representative business man of 
Vermilion county. He has a comfortable 
residence and large barns on his place. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Baker has 
been blessed with six children: Enoch P., 
born April 15. 1885, died May 11, 1885; 
Ralph Leslie, born November 11, 1887, died 
October 26, 1896; Charles Virgil, born 
March. 22, 1890, Froman C, born August 5, 
1892, and Earl B.. born September 8, 1894, 
are at home with their parents ; Henry Ray- 
mond, bom November 20, 1897, died Au- 
gust 19, 189S. 

Mr. Baker is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church of which he is steward. 
He is a generous contributor to and an ac- 
tive worker in the church, being devoted 
to the cause of Christianity. He is a Repub- 
lican in his political views, but the honors 
and emoluments of office have no charm 
for him and he has refused to accept office. 
He and liis wife are valued residents of 
Vance townsliip and are well known through- 
out the countv. 



\\TLLIAM FITHIAN, M. D. 

One of the most prominent and distin- 
guished residents of eastern Illinois was Dr. 
William Fithian, and if man's place in the 
world is determined by his usefulness a:^- 
suredly the Doctor's position was a leading 
one. For many years ranking as one of tlie 
most capable physicians of this part of the 
state, his lalrars were not limited by his pro- 
fession. Along many other lines he con- 
tributed to the general progress and up- 
building, became a factor in banking and 
mercantile circles and was instrumental in 
securing the extension of many railroads 
into this county. 

To Dr. Filhian also belonged the dis- 
tinction of having been the first white child 
born in Cincinnati, Ohio, his natal day hav- 
ing- been .\pril 7, 1799. His father, George 
Fithian, was a native of Elizabethtown, 
New Jersey, where he was reared and mar- 
ried. He afterward removed to the North- 
west Territory, being one of the earliest set- 
tlers of Cincinnati, then a mere hamlet situ- 
ated on the \'ery borders of civilization. He 
was also among the first to engage in mer- 
chandising tliere. Later he removed to thf 
new town of Springfield, Ohio, and after a 
few years he remo\'ed to the present site of 
Urbana, Ohio, erecting the first house there. 
It was a large double log building, in which 
he conducted a tavern for a number of 
years. He and his wife afterward removed 
to Danville, Illinois, and made their home 
with Dr. Fithian until death. 

The Doctor was but thirteen years of 
ag-e at the time of the outbreak of the war 
of 1812, but although too young to join the 
army he became a member of a company of 
home guards which was organized for pro- 
tection against the Indians, who were prov- 
ing troublesome. As was the custom in 



8-26 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



those days, at an early age he began learn- 
ing a trade — that of printing — and later he 
secured a contract to print a volume of leg- 
islatixe enactments of the state of Ohio. He 
worked many times late into the night, by 
the light of a tallow dip, in order to com- 
plete the task at the time specified. This 
was an act characteristic of his entire career. 
With the money thus earned in the printing 
business he began the study of medicine un- 
der the direction of Dr. Jtiseph Carter, an 
eminent physician of Ohio, then located at 
Urliana. After three years' study he re- 
ceived a di])li>ma and soon afterward began 
the jjractice of his i)rofession in Mechanics- 
burg, Ohio, where he remained for two 
years, returning then to Urbana, where he 
formed a jiartnership with his former pre- 
ceptor. Dr. Carter, this relationship being 
maintained until 1830. While still living in 
Ohio, according to an old law of that state. 
he \vas made one of the associate judges, 
sitting with the county judge and trying 
cases. 

Prior to 1830 Dr. h'ithiau had visited 
Danville and in the year mentioyed he came 
by wagon to this city, accompanieil by his 
wife. It was his intention to here embark 
in practice. The town at that time con- 
tained some two hundred inhabitants and 
was the site of an old Indian settlement and 
Indians still continued to make it their trad- 
ing point. l"or almost sixty years Dr. Filh- 
ian practiced here and was probably as 
widely known as any physician of the state 
during the years of his acti\e connection 
with the profession. He would sometimes 
ride for weeks at a stretch with but a few 
hours' sleep at night, lie m;ide his trips 
on horseback, keeping from six to eight 
head of horses. His practice extended as 
far west as Bloomington. McLean county; 
south to Paris. Edgar countv : north into 



Iroquois and Kankakee counties, and at 
times even to Chicago; and east far into the 
state of Indiana. As accomodations and 
supplies were limited and the coimtry sparse- 
ly settled the Doctor always carried some 
tea with him, which he would steep if oppor- 
tunity offered or ciiew the leaves if he found 
it impossible to make the drink. 

The Doctor served as a soldier in the 
Black Hawk war and during the Civil war 
was appointed by President Lincoln to the 
position of provost marshal of what was then 
the seventh congressional district of Illinois, 
which trying and responsible office he nutst 
creditably filled. The friendship l)etween 
Dr. l-'ithian, the young physician, and .\lira- 
ham Lincoln, the yt)ung lawyer, was formed 
in the early days of the former's residence in 
Illinois and continued up to the time of the 
President's death in 1865. What little liti- 
gation Dr. i'ithian had was always in charge 
of Lincoln and perhaps no one stood closer 
in the early days to the great emancipator 
than did our subject. For many years Dr. 
l'"itliian was the leader (.>t the W big party in 
this section of the two states of Illinois and 
Indiana and was an actixe factor in the cam- 
paign of i860, which resulted in the election 
of his friend Lincoln. He served for one 
term as state senator and two terms as repre- 
sentati\e. While in Springfield he profes- 
siouallv atlcndetl a number of the most dis- 
tinguished men of Illinois antl there formed 
friendships which continued a lifetime. 

Dr. Pithian l^ecame a wealthy man, own- 
ing a number of tluius.and acres of land. 
He also established a large mercantile enter- 
prise and a i)ri\ate banking business in Dan- 
xille and these were carried on by his sons 
for many years. He was largely instru- 
mental in securing the building of several 
railroads through Danville and gave the 
right of way through a large tract of land 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



827 



to the Indiana, Bloomington & Western, 
now a part of the Big Four system, and the 
town of Fithian on this hne was named in 
his honor. 

The Doctor was four times married, his 
second wife, Oleatha T. Berry, of Urbana, 
becoming the mother of his four children, 
of whom George, the father of WilHam E. 
Fitliian, of Danville, is now deceased, and 
John has also passed away. Henry and 
Elisha C. B. are yet living. In his late years 
the Doctor retired from active practice and 
died on the 5th of April, 1890, lacking but 
two days of reaching his ninety-first birth- 
day. He was a man in the best sense of the 
term. Successful himself, he was ever ready 
to aid a deserving friend and while unosten- 
tatious in his giving many have cause to re- 
member his kindness in time of need. The 
Illinois State Medical Society, in its report 
of 1890, said of him. "The man matched 
the times in which he lived, and was a prod- 
uct of them; resolute, simple, severe and 
exact, something" cf the hardiness of his 
circumstances gave force to his character, 
but by the bedside he was low-voiced, ten- 
der, precise and faithful. Autocratic as be- 
came the physician in whose hands are the 
issues of life and death, he was regardful 
of the feelings of those in whose presence 
he stood. He was a good man with de- 
fects : a strong man with weaknesses ; and 
he made a large impression on his time and 
in the country of his choice. Those who 
watched and witnessed his passing, long, 
painful, solitary, will realize as never be- 
fore, how great a boon it is to die when the 
springs of life have ceased to sparkle and 
shadows cover the whole wide world and the 
only light is from the one open gate through 
which the loved ones have gone before. He 
has ushered in thousands and lightened the 
pains and softened the departure of three 



generations of men. He, the great and 
old physician, bowed before the King of 
Terrors, to him a Minister of Peace.'' 



DAVID HIMROD. 



David Himrod, secretary 4nd treasurer 
of the Himrod Coal Company and a resi- 
dent of Danville, was born in Sterling, Kan- 
sas, March to, 1876, a son of Patten Him- 
rod, whose sketch is given on another page 
of this work. He 1>egan his education in the 
schools of his native city, but left school 
in the year of graduation, removing to Chi- 
cago with his parents and in that city be- 
came a student in the Chicago ^Manual 
Training School. He afterward attended 
the State University of Kansas, at Law- 
rence, and then returned to Sterling, where 
he accepted the position of bookkeeper in a 
bank. While thus engaged he made ar- 
rangements to enter the service of the Him- 
rod Coal Company, in July, 1895, 'it which 
time he came to Danville, where he has 
since remained, and upon his father's death, 
in 1902, he a.-^sumed control of the business 
as its secretary and treasurer. He is large- 
ly engaged in the dex'elopment of the rich 
coal deposits of this portion of the state, 
being secretary of the company owning a 
mine situated six miles south of Danville 
and another eight miles southeast of the 
city. The product is shipped mostly to Chi- 
cago and other metropolitan centers and the 
volume of the business is constantly growing 
with the result that the enterprise has re- 
turned an excellent income to the stockhold- 
ers. The officers of the company are Ber- 
nard Himrod, president ; Charles Himrod, 
vice president ; David Ximrod. secretary 
and treasurer ; and W. Keefer, superin- 
tendent. 



828 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



On the 28tli of January, 1898. in Dan- 
ville. Mr. Himrod of this review was united 
in marriage to Miss Cornelia Roberts, who 
was horn in Champaign county, Illinois, 
September i. 1876, a daughter of Thomas 
and Mary B. (West) Roberts. Mr. Him- 
rod votes with tiie Repuljlican party and in 
June, 1901, he was made a Mason, while 
of the Modern Woodmen of America he 
is also a representative. A young business 
man, possessed of the enterprising .spirit of 
the west, he occupies a creditable position 
in industrial circles, and arguing from the 
past it is not difticult to prophesy for him a 
successful future. 



\\'. R. .\LLDREDGE. 

During his residence in Danville W. R. 
Alldredge has won due recognition nf labor. 
being now one of the substantial residents 
of this city, althougli when he located here 
he had just ten dollars. He now has ex- 
tensive real estate interests, being the owner 
of much property in the city and the rental 
from his tenement houses brings to him an 
excellent income. 

^Ir. Alldredge is a nati\e of the neigh- 
boring state of Indiana, his birtlr having oc- 
curred in Bartholomew count}', on the 6th 
of December, i860, his parents being Isaac 
anci Elizabeth (Galyean) Alldredge. The 
father was born in \'irginia of Welsh and 
Scotch ancestry and the uKjther was born in 
Indiana of Scotch and Irish parentage. They 
were married in ^luncie. Indiana, and in 
order to provide for his family the father 
carried on farming and also engaged in me- 
chanical pursuits. His death occurrc^l in 
Logansport, Indiana, in 1878. and his wid- 
ow li\ed with the subject of this review at 
the time of her death in 1890. They were 



the i)arents oi nine children, of whom live 
are yet living: Daniel L., John, Francis, 
Mrs. Martha A. Stanley and our subject. 
W. 1^. .\lldredge spent the greater part of 
his early life in Logansport, Indiana, and left 
that city at the age of twenty years to be- 
come a resident of ^luncie. Indiana, where 
he worked at the mason's trade and was evi- 
gaged in the construction of cement side- 
walks and similar work from 1880 until 
1883. in the latter year he came to Dan- 
ville, where he followed his trade for about 
nine or ten years. His attention was then 
gi\en to the coal business and gradually he 
became extensively interested in real estate. 
He purchased eighty acres of land adjoin- 
ing \'ermiiion Heights on the southwest and 
has since sold forl\- acres of this. ( )n the re- 
maining forty acres he opened a coal mine 
about six years ago. He had pre\iously 
leased coal lands to other parties who had 
worked out the mines. Through eight or 
ten years in the winter seasons Mr. All- 
dredge has engaged in ojjcrating his coal 
mines to a limited extent, supplying the local 
markets. .\s his financial resources have 
increased, however, he has made judicious 
inxestments in real estate and he now owns 
twenty-two tenement houses located in dif- 
ferent sections of the city. He built some 
of these at very moilerate expense in order 
th;it they might be rented at a low rate, 
while others are \erv desirable residences. 
He de\c)tes the greater part of his time to 
the management of his ])roperty interests. 
During the year 1901 he did a Ijuilding 
business to the extent of eleven thousand 
dollars, erecting a flat building on Pine 
street to the value of seven thousand dol- 
lars. He has been ijuick to recognize op- 
portunities in real estate dealing and his ef- 
forts in this direction have brought to him 
excellent success. 




W. R. ALLDREDGE. 



THE lilOGkAPillCAL RLCORU 



831 



On tlif _'.5il of Sc))iciiil)CT, iX(>i, Mr. 
yMldrcdjcc was niarncil ni l)aiivillc to 
I'l'aiices 'late, who was born in this city 
ill 1.S73, and is a daughter of Huston an<l 
Margaret (il<jdge) Tate, natives of I'emi- 
sylvania and Illinois, resi)ectiv'ely, their 
marriage being celebrated in Vermilion 
county. 1 lu' father was <jne of the lirst 
white men 111 the neighborhood, establishing 
his home here when iJanville was a mere 
village an<l when no railroads connected it 
with the outside world. He killed many 
deer in the woo'ls near where iJanville now 
stands and toi^k an active part in the early 
pioneer development of this region, lie 
was a coo])er by trade, being an exjjert work 
man in his line, and for some lime he con- 
ducted ;i sho]) in this city. Later, however, 
he ijurchased land and resided upon his 
farm, devoting his attention to agricultural 
pursuits up t(j the lime of his death, which 
occurred in March, 1897. His wife passed 
away in 1876, 'Jiiey were the parents of 
twelve children, of whom eight arc yet liv- 
ing: Mrs. .Alice Hlakciiey, Mrs. Mora 
Stump, Mrs. Liz/.ie IJest, Mrs. Anna True- 
love, Mrs. Jennie Hennctt, Mrs. Mattie 
Smart, Jasper and Mrs. JCthel Lucas. 

L'nto Mr, and Mrs, Alldredge have iteen 
born four children : .Mary Lena, br,rn Aug- 
ust 11, 1892; Harry, born January 26, 
1898; Huston, born August 31, 1899; and 
Virgil, lyjrn May 25, 1901, They also lost 
their second child, Willie, Ijoni December 
31, 1894, who died at the age of three years. 
The parents hold membcrshi|j in the Lincoln 
Methodist l-.piscopal church and take an 
active part in its work and upbuilding. Mr. 
Alldredge has served as trustee, as steward 
and as a mcinljer of the building committee. 
In politics he has always been a stalwart 
Republican, doing everything in his power 
to promote the growth and to promote the 



success of his p.irly. Socially he is idenli- 
lied with Vcrnnlioii ('/nu]), N(j. 254, M. W. 
A. When he came to IJanville in 1883 he 
had less than ten dollars in cash, but he 
|)ossessed energy, ambition ami fortitude 
;md tlicse (|ualilies h;iv(; been salient features 
in his career. His successful life demon- 
strates that his business instinct have l>een 
well guided and that his enler])ri»e has been 
exercised to a g(jod advantage. His suc- 
cess has been the result of honest, persistent 
effort in the line of lionor;ible and manly 
• lealing. His aims have always been to 
att;iin lo the best and he has carried forward 
to a successful completion whatever he has 
undertaken. His life has marked a steady 
growth, anil now he is in jjossession of an 
ample competence, and more than all has 
that contentment that c<jnies from a con- 
sciousness (){ having lived to a good purp<j»e. 



WILLIAM T. STKVENS. 

,'\n honored and inlluential resident of 
Georgetown township, William T. Stevt^is 
has live<l in Vermilion county for more tliati 
ihree-rjuarters of a cetury. He was l>orn in 
Rush county, Indiana, March 18, J821, and 
is a son of James and Susanna (Thomas) 
Stevens. The parents of the former were 
natives of Indiana, and the latter of f/cr- 
many, who came to y\mcrica in an early day 
and settled on land in Uush county, Indiana. 
They lived and died near C'rawfordsvillc, In- 
diana, James and Susanna nhomas) 
Stevens were the parents of eight children, 
but of this numl>er two dicfl in infancy. 
James lived and died in Vermilion cminty 
and left a widow and three children, II. I', 
left a widow who is also now deccasefl. 
Samuel ('/. was a resi<lent of Vermilion coun- 



B22 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ty and died leaving a widow and two cliil- 
dren. She married again and is now living 
in -Missiinri. Ste\en (J. went to California 
and died there, leaving a widow and two 
children who are yet residents of that state. 
Lavina became the wife of John Calvin 
Cory, of California, and died leaving one 
son, who also resides there. Nancy AI. be- 
came the wife of Joseph Miller, of Vermilion 
county, btit both are now deceased. They 
left seven children. All received a common- 
school education. H. P. and James H. 
Stevens were both school teachers in Ver- 
milion comity for years. Mr. Stevens, Sr., 
followed farming as a life occupation and 
in politics he was a Democrat, taking an ac- 
tive part in the work of the party. He was 
a very talented orator and delighted many 
an audience with his eloquence. He served 
in the war of 1812 as a private and received 
a pension from the government on account 
of injuries sustained. Both he and his wife 
were members of the Christian church and 
were consistent workers therein. She 
passed away in 1870, while he was called to 
rest in 1874, both dx'ing on the family home- 
stead one mile east of Westville on section 
8, in Ceorgetown tow-nship. They had 
moved to Vermilion county, Illinois, in the 
fall of 1827, when our subject w^is six years 
of age. 

Mr. Stevens of this review^ early began to 
earn his own living, starting out on his own 
account at the age of fourteen. He worked 
for three years for ten dollars per month, 
then bought calves and raised the hay and 
grain for them, and fed them until they were 
three years old, when he sold them for money 
enough to buy his present fami. However. 
this was not until after he had attained his 
twenty-seventh year, for he worked upon 
farms by the month until that time. He was 
energetic, persevering and industrious and 



he started out determined to win his way in 
the world, having no influential friends or 
capital to aid him. However, he realized 
that the opportunities of this great common- 
wealth were before him and he had the keen 
discernment and the sound judgment which 
enabled him to take ad\antage of these and 
win for himself and family a competence. 
Shortly before his marriage he bought eigh- 
ty acres of his present farm of two hundred 
and thirty-two acres on section 7, George- 
town township. This land was totally un- 
improved when he made the purchase, and 
he at once began to prepare the fields for 
the raising of crops. He has made all nec- 
essary improvements on the same and now 
has one of the model farms of Vermilion 
county. 

h'ebruary 22, 1848, is the date on which 
was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Stevens 
and Miss Martha Ann Alexander, a daugh- 
ter of Robert Alexander, a native of Indiana. 
Her mother died when Mrs. Stevens was 
an infant. Mr. Stevens and his first wife 
raised a little girl from the age of a year old. 
Her name was Matilda Ann Guest, and she 
made her home with our subject until her 
luarriage with C. L. Downing and they re- 
side in Georgetown township. Mr. Stevens 
was again married, February 4. 1872, to 
Xancy Blakeney, a daughter of William and 
Susanna (Ellis) Blakeney. Her father was 
born in Ripley county, Kentucky, and her 
mother in Ohio. In their family were 
twehe children, of whom eight reached 
years of maturity. Wright died in 1872, in 
Edgar county, and was buried in Brooks 
Point. Thomas Westberry Blakeney is now 
a resident of Danville, where he is engaged 
in tiie real estate busines. Sarah is the wife 
of Samuel McCord. who is living three 
miles east of Westville, a farmer by occu- 
pation. Rachel is the wife of Jonathan 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



833 



Ellis, who lives in Ridgefarm. and also oper- 
ates land tliere. Mary is the wife of An- 
drew Roys, a farmer residing near Foster, 
Indiana. Martha is the widow of Thomas 
F. Field, and li\-es near Wellington, Illinois. 
Snsanna Brooks is the wife of Theodore 
Brooks and resides a half mile sonth of 
West vi lie. He is also a farmer. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are the parents of 
three children: Ina J. became the wife of 
Charles Nease, of Vermilion county and died 
February 20, 1894, leaving her husband to 
mourn her loss, as well as the father and 
mother and many friends, also two children, 
William Curtis and Oracle. Her husband 
has since married. Susanna is the wife of 
John S. Olmstead and lives in Catlin. He 
taught school for twelve years and is now 
mail agent on the Wabash Railroad from 
St. Louis to Detroit, Michigan. Savannah 
Elsie is at home. All the children enjoyed 
good educational privileges. Mr. Stevens 
now has four hundred and fifty-two acres 
of land; two hundred and twenty acres in 
section 12, Pilot township and two hundred 
and thirty-two acres on sections 7, George- 
town township. He also has an acre and a 
half just west of his home with a three-room 
house on the same, which he rents. He has 
three houses and barns on the homesteads 
and has made all the improvements found 
thereon. Mr. Stevens is a Democrat of the 
very strongest con\'ictions in the principles 
of his party. He first voted for Jackson 
for president. He has never been a politi- 
cian, however, in the sense of office seeking, 
preferring to devote his attention to his 
farming interests. He and his wife as well 
as the other members of the family belong 
to the Christian church, in Westville. Fra- 
ternally he is a member of Catlin Lodge, 
No. 85, A. F. & A. M., of which he 
is a charter member. Truly a self-made 



man. Mr. Stevens" praiseworthy career 
would serve as an example to those who 
are starting out in life for themselves 
with nothing but willing hands and strong 
determination as aids to their success. Hav- 
ing so long resided in the community 
where he makes his home, is well known by 
ail, who honor him as a pioneer settler and 
a valued citizen. 



MRS. A. L. NEWMAN. 

Mrs. A. L. Newman well deserves men- 
tion in the history of Vermilion county. She 
was born in Otsego county. New York, July 
22, 1834. Her father. Potter Gardner, was 
a native of Vermont and came of a family 
of English origin that was founded in 
America by three brothers of the name who, 
leaving the "merrie isle" sailed for the new 
world. These were. Squire, Nicholas and 
William Gardner, and one of the number 
was the great-grandfather of our subject. 

Potter Gardner, after arriving at years 
of maturity, was united in marriage to Miss 
Mary Thurston, a daughter of Amos 
Thurston., who served his country in the 
war of 1812. Mr. Gardner died August 
21, 1845, '^^ '^'''s ^S^ oi forty years, and his 
wife, long surviving him, spent her last 
years in the home of her daughter, Mrs. 
Newman, passing away in 1891, at the age 
of eighty-three years. The family is noted 
for longevity. Mrs. Newman's grandmoth- 
er lived to be ninety-four years of age, one 
uncle ninety-three, another uncle eighty- 
seven years and another grandmother eighty- 
eight years of age. She has a living brother, 
William H. Gardner, who resides in Ren- 
sselaer, Indiana, while three brothers have 
passed av.'ay. 



834 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Mrs. Xewnian spent her early girlhood 
days under tlie parental roof and pursued a 
common school education. At the age of 
sixteen years she began teaching and fol- 
lowed that professicjn with success for a 
number of terms. On the ist of August, 
1852, .she gave her hand in marriage to 
Harrison Harrington, who died twelve years 
later, on Christmas day of 1864, leaving 
three children : H. Adelaide, the wife of H. 
L. French, of Talbot, Indiana; James H., 
who has always resided with his mother and 
is now living with her in Hoopeston ; and 
Mary A., the wife of J. H. Booth, of 
Hoopeston. 

in March. i8()7, in Otsego county. New 
York, Mrs. Harrington was again married, 
becoming the wife of \V. O. Newman. The 
same year the\' remo\ed to Woodford coun- 
ty, Illinois, and purchased land upon which 
they lived for seven years. They then came 
to \'ermilion county, Illinois, in February, 
1875, settling two miles south of East Lynn, 
where they became the owners of eighty acres 
of land, afterward adding to this another 
eighty acres so that the farm now com- 
prises an entire ijuarter section. There 
they lived until Mr. Newman's death 
in 1889, after which Mrs. Newman took 
up her abode in East Lynn, which was 
her place of residence until 1902. She 
then came to Hoopeston, where she had pre- 
\iously made many friends, anil here she 
now occupies a pleasant home. She also 
owns eighty acres of land in Butler town- 
ship. 

Mrs. Newman has been a devoted church 
member since the age of fourteen years. 
She first united with the Baptist church and 
after her first marriage she became a mem- 
l)er of the Christian church. Her second 
husband, however, was a member of the Bap- 
tist church and she again joined that denom- 



ination, witli whicli she is now connected. 
She is connected through meml^ership rela- 
tions with the Royal Neighbors, to which her 
son James and his wife also belong and he 
is a member of the Modem Woodmen. 
Mrs. Newman formerly belonged to the 
Order of the Eastern Star. 

James H. Harrington is a native of Ot- 
sego county, New York, and for a number 
of years has carried on agricultural pursuits. 
He, too, owns eighty acres of land and the 
hiime ijroperty in Hoopeston. He is now 
engaged in the mercantile business at that 
place. In his political atiiiliations he is a 
Democrat but has never sought or desired 
otilice. jjrefcrring to give his entire time and 
attention to the management of his agricul- 
tural interests. 



TAMES HOOVER. 



James Hoover, who is one of the sub- 
stantial farmers of Ross township, has been 
a resident of Vermilion county since 1858 
and t(i-(lay lie has here a valuable farm of 
one hundred and si.xty acres of well im- 
pro\ed hind, which is the visible evidence 
of his life of industry and thrift. He was 
born in Flolmes county, Ohio, F'ebruary i, 
1837. ?Iis father. John Hoover, was of 
Holland descent. The grandfather settled 
in Pennsyhania at a very early day and his 
son John was there born and reared. He 
wedded 13el)orah Siddons, also a native of 
Pennsylvania, and in order to provide for 
his lami]\- he followed the blacksmith's 
trade in the early years of his manhood, 
having learned that pursuit prior to his mar- 
riage. On his removal to Ohio he took up 
his abode in Holmes county, where in con- 
nection with blacksmithing he cleared a 




JAMES HOOVER. 




MRS. JAMES HOOVER. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



839 



tract of land and developed a farm, making 
liis home thereon for a number of years. 
He afterward removed to Richland county, 
Ohio, where he spent the last days of his 
life. 

James Hoover remained in the county of 
his nativity until sevnteen years of age and 
then went to Indiana, settling in Stateline. 
He learned the carpenter's trade in early life 
and to some extent followed blacksmithing 
in repair shops. At Stateline he was en- 
gaged in the building trade and in following 
other pursuits that would yield him an hon- 
est living. In the winter he went into a 
blacksmith shop and later he owned a 
smithy, conducting work along that line 
and also doing various kinds of repair work 
at that place for fourteen years. In 1871 
he came to Ross township, Vermilion coun- 
ty, Illinois. He had bought and traded for 
one hundred and sixty acres of land here and 
at the time of his arrival turned his atten- 
tion to farming and further improved his 
property. He erected a large and attractive 
farm residence, built good barns for the 
shelter of grain and stock and added all 
modern equipments such as are seen upon a 
farm of the twentieth century. His home is 
surrounded by beautiful shade trees and the 
fruit trees of a fine orchard annually stock 
his cellar with apples. It is also evident 
from the appearance of the producti\e fields 
that his land has been well tiled. He re- 
sided upon the farm until the spring of 1899 
when he removed to Alvin, where he pur- 
chased a residence which he has since re- 
built and remodeled so that now he has 
one of the best homes in the town. His per- 
sonal supervision is yet given to his farm 
work, although he resides in the village. He 
commenced life a poor man at the bottom 
of the ladder but steadily he has climbed to 

success. 

33 



Mr. Hoover was married in Benton 
county, Indiana, in October, 1857, to Eliza- 
beth Logan, a native of Rush county, that 
state. Seven children reached adult age : 
John, who is married and follows black- 
smithing in Stateline, Indiana ; Francis 
M., who was married but is now deceased; 
George W., who is married and resides in 
Oklahoma, where he follows farming; De- 
borah, the wife of William G. Copeland, of 
Danville; James M., who is married and 
is operating the home farm; A. M., who is 
married and resides in Bismarck, Illinois; 
and Jesse L., who is married and lives in 
Marshfield, Indiana. They also lost four 
children : Mary E., Gertrude, F. M., and 
an infant son. 

As every true American citizen should 
do, Mr. Hoover keeps well informed on the 
political questions and issues of the day and 
is therefore able to cast an intelligent ballot 
for principles in which he firmly believes. 
He voted for Abraham Lincoln in i860 and 
has since supported each presidential nomi- 
nee of the Republican party with the excep- 
tion of one year in which he was in the west. 
He believes in good schools and has served 
as a member of the school board and also 
township trustee. He and his wife belong 
to the Christian church, in which he has 
been an elder for many years and they put 
forth every effort in their power to promote 
the cause of Christianity and extend its in- 
fluence. While at Bismarck Mr. Hoover 
joined the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows. During his residence in Vermilion 
county he has seen Rossville grow from a 
crossroads village of two houses to a thriv- 
ing town, while Danville has developed 
from a small town to one of the leading 
cities of this great state. For forty-four 
years Mr. Hoover has made his home with- 
in the borders of the county and is one of 



840 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



the icw rem;iinJii^ pioneers wlio can tell tlie 
tale of (levelopmeiU and progress. As tlie 
years lia\e passed he has prospered, owing 
to his unflagging industry, and liis hfe his- 
tory contains much tliat is worthy of emu- 
lation. 



ISAAC ROBERTSON. 

Isaac Robertson, of Hoopeston, was born 
in Stateline, Indiana, February 20, 1853. 
and was there reared to manhood upon his 
father's farm. He is a, son of Zachariah 
and Abigail (Starr) Robertson, the former 
a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio. 
They were married, however, in Vermilion 
county and the father followed farming. 
The mother died in i<S78 and the father is 
now living upon land which he entered from 
the government, being the only survivor of 
the early pioneer settlers of his neighbor- 
hood. In iJieir family were sixteen children, 
of whom ciglit are yet living : Mrs. Jacob 
Deck, Mrs. S. L. Mesmore. Jacob, P. S., 
William, Isaac, Mrs. William Cox and Mrs. 
John Smith. 

Isaac Robertson acquired a coiunion 
school education and ])ut aside his text 
books early in order to assist in the cultiva- 
tion of the home farm. At the age of twen- 
ty-one he left home w-ith a horse, saddle and 
bridle. For ten or twelve years he cultivated 
rented land and then with money which he 
had earned through his earnest lalior he pur- 
chased forty acres of land near Blue Grass 
in Butler township. On selling that he 
bought eighty acres near East Lynn and af- 
terward added to it another tract of eighty 
acres. li\ing upon that farm for sixteen 
years. In Noveiuber, 1899, he came to 
Hoopeston and purchased property on Penn 
'street. He has some town lots here also 



which he is holding as an iiuestment. For 
a time after coming to Hoopeston he was 
em[)loyed as a clerk in a store and after a 
year acted as a traveling salesman for the 
h'airweight Scale Company, serving in that 
capacity for seven months. He was after- 
ward employed in a shoe store and now he 
is handling scales, the Fairbanks, the Victor, 
the JcMies and the Hartman scales, which 
he sells to farmers and elevator men. He is 
also writing the accident insurance for the 
North American Accident Insurance Coiu- 
pany. 

in l''el)ruary. 1876. near Bismarck, in 
Newell township, Mr. Robertson married 
Laurena Hortense Cox, who was born near 
Oakwood, Illinois. February 8, 1857, a 
daughter of James H. Cox, of this state, 
who, when his ilaughter was but six years 
of age, passed away. The mother, who bore 
the maiden name of Mary Osborn, is still 
living and is now the wife of Daniel John- 
son. They resiile with our subject. Mrs. 
Rt)bertson has but one sister. Mary Belle 
Bennett, and she likewise has a half brother, 
Re\crdy S. Johnson. I'rom the age of 
twehe years Mrs. Robertson resided upon a 
farm and she attended the district schools. 

r.iith (lur subject and his wife have long 
been members of the Methotlist Episcopal 
church, in which he has served as steward 
antl for ten years as trustee. He is the pres- 
ent district steward and has long been iden- 
tified with Sunday-school work, while his 
wife is a member of the Missionary .Aid So- 
ciety and of the Woman's Christian Tem- 
perance L'nion. Mr. Robertson l)elongs to 
the Modem Woodmen of .America and she 
to the Royal Xeighliors. They are the par- 
ents of two children. Harry Emmert, who 
died at the age of thirteen months: and 
Everett Floyd, who was married in March, 
1902, to Miss I.ettie M. Hall and they are 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



841 



living on our subject's farm. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Robertson are people of genuine worth, 
kind hearted, loyal in friendship and honor- 
able in all life's relations. 



JUDGE S. MURRAY CLARK. 

Among the leading lawyers of Danville, 
Illinois, probably none stand higher in the 
profession than Judge S. Murray Clark, who 
is now serving as county judge of Vennilion 
county. He was born on the 15th of May, 
1869, in Crawfordsville, Indiana, a son of 
John G. and Mary (Holiday) Clark, who 
are now living in this county and are natives 
of North Carolina and Indiana, respectively. 
His paternal grandfather, Samuel Clark, was 
also a native of North Carolina and from 
that state removed to Indiana with his fam- 
ily when the father of our subject was only 
two years old. William Holiday, the ma- 
ternal grandfather, was also born in North 
Carolina and on the Holiday side traces his 
ancestry back to the Penn colony. He was 
one of the honored pioneers of Vermilion 
county, Illinois. The parents of our subject 
were married in Vermilion county, where 
the mother had located in her girlhood days, 
her father having been one of the early set- 
tlers here. After their marriage Mr. Clark 
engaged in the practice of dentistry at Cov- 
ington, Indiana, and owing to failing health 
he turned his attention to farming near 
Crawfordsville, that state, where he re- 
mained for some time. Later he resumed 
the practice of his profession in Thorntown. 
Indiana, and then again he farmed. In the 
spring of 1870, however, he came to Vermil- 
ion county and engaged in farming in El- 
wood township, near Ridgefarm, where he 
remained until 1890. He afterward resided 
at Vermilion Grove for five vears and in 



Georgetown he engaged in banking, being at 
the present time the president of the First 
National Bank at that place. His wife is 
also living" and they are prominent and in- 



fluential residents of Georgetown. 



The 



Doctor is a stanch Republican and is a mem- 
ber of the Quaker church. He has always 
refused to hold public office but in matters 
of citizenship he is loyal and progressive and 
his life has ever been honorable and upright. 
In his family were three children, the eldest 
being O. P. Clark, who married Ada Elliott, 
by whom he has four children. He resides 
in Georgetown, being the cashier of the 
bank there. The Judge is the second in 
order of birth. Emma, the only daughter, 
is the wife of Professor C. E. Cosand, the 
principal of the Lincoln Street school of 
Danville, by whom she has two children. 

Judge Clark of this review began his 
education in the public schools and later was 
a student in Vermilion Academy, at Vermil- 
ion Grove, where he remained 'until 1887. 
He was also a student for two years in Earl- 
ham College, of Richmond, Indiana, and 
then entered the Bloomington Law School, 
a department of the Wesleyan L'niversity, 
where he completed the prescribed law coursd? 
and was graduated in 1893. At Ridgefarm 
he began practice but in 1894' he came to 
Danville, entering into partnership with 
George G. Mabin, since which time he has 
practiced in this city with marked success. 
A man of sound judgment he manages his 
cases with masterly skill and tact and is re- 
garded as one of the best lawyers of the city. 
He has been connected with much of the 
important litigation tried in the courts of this 
district. He was chosen as counsel for the 
plaintiiT in the case of Carrie Corbett versus 
John Gernand, in which the jury gave a ver- 
dict in favor of his client for fifty-four thou- 
sand three huntlred and thirtv-three and one- 



842 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



third dollars — the largest breach of promise 
verdict ever rendered in the United States. 
In the conduct of these cases the firm of 
Mahiii & Llark was assisted by E. R. E. 
Kimbruugh. Mr. Clark has conducted 
many personaj injur}- cases and the firm won 
a verdict of ten thousand dollars for their 
client in the case of Sherber versus Lorton. 
Judge Clark prepares his cases with marked 
precision and care and enters the courtroom 
well qualified to meet every possible point 
of attack. He is a convincing and earnest 
speaker, strong in argimient, and his deduc- 
tions follow in logical sequence. In the 
spring of 1902 he was nominated by the Re- 
publican party for judge of Vermilion coun- 
ty, and the following September was ap- 
pointed to that position to fill out the unex- 
pired term <>f Judge Thompson, who had 
resigned. As the Republican candidate he 
w ill undoubtedly be elected to the same office 
at the November election, that party having 
a good majority in this county. In his social 
relations Mr. Clark is a member of the Inde- 
l)endent (3rder of Odd Fellows, the Modern 
Woodmen of America and the Knights of 
Pythias and the Elks, and he is quite prom- 
inent in social, jjolitical and professional 
circles. 

On the 6th of August, 1895, Judge Clark 
was united in marriage to Miss Myra Men- 
denhall, the wedding taking place in \'er- 
milion Grove, Illinois. The lady was born 
in Catlin. this state, on the 6th of January, 
1 87 1, a daughter of Dr. M. C. and Cynthia 
( Kennedy) Mendenhall, the former a native 
of North Carolina and the latter of Indiana. 
Her parents were married at Center Point, 
Indiana, and the father afterward engaged 
in the practice of medicine in Catlin, Illinois, 
being one of the pioneer physicans and suc- 
cessful representatives of the profession in 
this county. 



During the seven years of their residence 
in Dainille Mr. and Mrs. Clark have become 
widely known and have been received into 
tiie best circles of .society, because of their 
innate culture and refinement, their intelli- 
gence and genuine worth. In a profession 
where advancement can only be gained 
through merit, because it dei)ends upon in- 
tellecttiality as well as earnest and continu- 
ous labor Judge .S. Murray Clark has gained 
a position of distinction, and upon the bench 
he is proving by his fairness, impartiality 
and capability that the trust in him is well 
placed. 



LEMUEL P. ADAMS. 

Prominent among the progressive ag- 
riculturists cf Xewell township is numbered 
the gentleman whose name introduces this 
review and who is also classed among the 
honored pioneers. He lives on section 22, 
where he has a splendid farm of three hun- 
dred and forty-nine and one-half acres or 
rich and well improved land. He was born 
here May 2, 185.4.. His paternal grandfa- 
ther, William Adams, was an honored sol- 
dier of the Revolutionary war, serving as 
an officer in that struggle for independence. 
He lived to be ahout ninety years of age 
and was buried in the Martinfield cemetery, 
in Newell township, near where the t)l<l wal- 
nut tree now stands. Samuel Adams, the 
father of our subject, was born in Harrison 
county. Kentucky, and married Nancy Mar- 
tin, whiise birth occurred in the same coun- 
ty. In the year 1825 Samuel Adams came 
to \'ermilion county, settling among the 
Indians, who outnumbered the white men 
ten to one. There were three families in 
the party which traveled westward, all com- 
ing with two horse wagons and it required 




SAMUEL ADAMS. 




MRS. SAMUEL ADAMS. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



847 



three or four weeks to make the trip, the 
party camping along the roadside at night. 
The members of the party were John Ad- 
ams, a cousin of Samuel Adams, and his 
family ; Joseph jMartin, a brother-in-law of 
our subject's father; and Samuel Adams, 
who was accompanied by his first wife and 
two children. They took up their abode on 
the state boundary line and soon Mr. Ad- 
ams erected a log cabin with a stick and 
clay chimney. This stood on section 22, 
Newell township, the old family home- 
stead. He entered eighty acres of land from 
the government, for which he paid one hun- 
dred dollars. No transfer of this property 
has ever been made since that time, save 
when it came into possession of our sub- 
ject. Samuel Y\dams was a noted dealer in 
hogs, which he raised for the home market. 
His earliest trading points were Eugene and 
Perrysville on the Wabash river and he 
oftentimes also hauled products to Chicago, 
which required about eighteen days to make 
the trip. It was necessary to ford the riv- 
ers, for no bridges had been built, and to 
camp out along the road at night. The his- 
tory of such pioneer experiences, if written 
in detail, would fill a volume. Home made 
clothing was used and the second wife of 
Mr. Adams was noted for her skill in weav- 
ing. She made blankets and coverlets for 
the beds and assisted materially in establish- 
ing a good home for the family through her 
labor in the household. In the '40s Mr. 
Adams was called upon to mourn the loss 
of his first wife and later he married Sarah 
Rayle, who was a widow with five children. 
He had thirteen children by his first mar- 
riage and there were two children born of 
the second marriage, the elder being James 
H., who resides in West Newell, and the 
younger being Lemeul. The second Mrs. 
Adams was a daughter of Luke Kayles, who 



was an early pioneer of \"ermilion county 
and was the first owner of land on the north 
fork. Samuel Adams died in 1881, at the 
age of eighty-one years and twenty days, 
and the mother of our subject passed away 
in September, 1882, when about seventy- 
four years of age. 

Lemuel P. Adams was reared in Newell 
township amid the wild scenes of frontier 
life and was educated in the public schools. 
Although his privileges in that direction 
were limited, his training at farm labor was 
not meager, for from early spring planting 
until crops were harvested in the late au- 
tumn he bore his part in the work of the 
fields. He was about twenty years of age 
when he began business for himself and to- 
day he is one of the substantial farmers 
of Newell township. He has added to his 
landed possessions through thrift and good 
management and has been actively and suc- 
cessfully identified with general farming and 
stock-raising. He has made a specialty of 
the feeding and raising of hogs, keeping on 
hand annually about seventy hogs and at 
the present time he has one hundred and fif- 
teen head. Mr. Adams has aided quite 
largely in clearing timber land and in de- 
veloping the agricultural resources of this 
part of the state. He has ever been a 
friend of the varied interests which have 
contributed to the welfare and upbuilding 
of the county. He can remember when 
Danville was but a mere \illage and when 
the greater part of the land was wild and 
unbroken. There were many timber wolves, 
turkeys and other wild game which could be 
had in abundance, while deer were also fre- 
quently seen. His father often told of see- 
ing as many as eighteen and twenty deer in 
a herd upon his farm but he never cared for 
hunting. 

Mr. Adams was married in 1879 to Miss 



848 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Martha Current, but after a short married 
life of four years she died in i883\ leaving 
two children, William H. and Alva Oscar. 
For his second wife I^Ir. Adams chose Miss 
Minerxa Rouse, daughter of Edward and 
Minerva (Martin) Rouse, early settlers of 
Newell township. Mrs. Adams was born on 
the old Rouse homestead farm in this town- 
ship May 31, 1863. and gave her hand in 
marriage to our subject May 29, 1884. 
They have become the parents of five chil- 
dren, of whom four are living: Sarah 
Ella, twelve years of age; Gro\er Dennis, 
aged ten; Ethel May, aged seven; and C"lar- 
ence Delmar. wIkj is a little lad of five years. 
They also lost one child. Myrtle E., who 
died at the age of five years. The living 
children are now attending the district 
school. 

Mr. Adams is a well informed man who 
keeps abreast with the times. With the ex- 
ception of the small tract of land given him 
by his father all that he possesses has been 
acquired through his own exertions, and in 
addition to his valuable home farm of al- 
most three hundred and fifty acres he owns 
two hundred and fifty-two acres in Greene 
county. Tnfliana. This has upon it a good 
orchard and substantial buildings and is 
surrounded by a well kept fence. This 
property is rented, bringing to him a sub- 
stantial income. Since his father's death 
Lemuel Adams has added to the old home 
place many substantial and valuable im- 
])rovenients. He has a good grain farm and 
tine ])asture lands with eveiy facility for 
culti\ating his fields, including the latest im- 
proved machinery. His corn crops yield 
from forty to forty-five bushels per acre 
and his oats from thirty to thirty-five bush- 
els. The farm work is now. however, 
largely performed by his sons, Mr. Adams 
merely giving his supervision to the work 



during the past five years. Both he and his 
wife are members of the Primitive liaptist 
church IcKated upon his father-in-law's old 
homestead and in his political affiliations 
Mr. Adams is a Democrat. He deserves 
mention in this volume not only because 
he is a representative of one of the pioneer 
families of the county but also on account 
of his genuine worth, his loyal citizenship 
and his upright life. 



FRIENDS IN VERMILION COUNTY. 

In the early years of the nineteenth cen- 
tury the Friends or Quakers in the east and 
south became dissatisfied with their sur- 
roundings and l)egan an e.Kodus north and 
westward. The reason for this movement 
was probably two fold. First — To get away 
from slavery which was very distasteful to 
them and which they considered a very 
wrong and vile business, besides being con- 
trary to their church creed. Second — Hav- 
ing never been very prosperous in the rocky 
and mountainous regions of Virginia and 
Tennessee, they determined to establish 
themseh'es in a more fertile and productive 
region where they could build for themselves 
a religious and educational comnnmity ac- 
cording to their own ideas and beliefs. 
Ohio and Indiana received a great number 
of these emigrants, some of which being still 
dissatisfied, pushed farther west and settled 
in the fertile ])Iains of \'ermilion county, 
Illinois, near what is now \'ermilion (irove. 
This was soon after the grand old Prairie 
state had been admitted to statehood and 
since that time many communities and meet- 
ings have sprung up around this place. 

The first of these settlers came by way of 
Indiana from Jefferson county, Tennessee, 




L. P. ADAMS. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



851 



arriving at Vermilion Grove in 1822. 
Among the first families were those of John 
Haworth, Henry Canaday and John Mills. 
John Hawortb. settled on what is now known 
as the Academy Farm which was donated to 
that institution by his son, Elvin Haworth. 
some years ago. On this farm was located 
a rude log hut, in which the first meetings 
for worship were held soon after the settle- 
ment was made. Henn^ Canaday settled 
on what is known as the R. H. Canaday 
farm one-half mile west of the Grove. 
Henry Canaday was the first man to be ap- 
pointed to the position as head of the meet- 
ing, a place of great importance in the car- 
rying on of the Friends Church at that early 
day. 

John Mills settled on what is known as 
ihf Old Mills homestead two miles west of 
the station near where Richard Mills now 
lives. 

The country was wild prairie and tim- 
]>er lands at that time. F'oxes and wolves 
were plentiful and wild turkeys and prairie 
chickens furnished much food for the set- 
tlers. Indians, wild and fierce, still roamed 
over the prairie and timber lands and hunted 
the bison and deer and fished unmolested 
along the little streams. No roads were seen 
except the hunter's path. No bridges 
crossed the sluggish streams. No fences 
bound the traveler's way, but nature held 
complete control and seemed to battle hard 
against invasions made by human hands. 
Ague and fever proved dreadful foes and 
pestilence made havoc amongst the little 
band, but push and perseverance, which 
those early settlers possessed and which has 
been a predominan.t characteristic of their 
descendants, soon made the wild and barren 
lands "to blossom like the rose" and produce 
abundant crops. Ponds were drained, the 
land was cleared, roads were laid out and 



soon the country assumed the appearance of 
civilization. 

Following the first settlers or families 
came the Hendersons in 1824, and the Reeses 
in 1830. and Hesters and Mendenhalls about 
the same time. Others whose names. are not 
mentioned came early and helped to make 
up the neighborhood and subdue the wild 
country. The first "meeting house" was 
built in 1823 in the north end of what is now 
Vermilion cemetery. It was built of huge 
walnut logs measuring from two to three 
feet in diameter. The roof was clapboards 
and the seats were hewed logs. It was here 
in this rude house that Friends for miles 
around came together regularly, twice a 
week for twenty-nine years to worship God 
and study of Him out of His Word. At the 
end of this time, or in 1853, the first frame 
house was built near where the log one stood. 
This house had many more accommodations, 
but still the conveniences were very meager 
compared with a modern church. The first 
branch meeting was established at Elwood, 
at which place a log house was built about 
1830. This cabin served as a church until 
1 846. when a frame house with a stone foun- 
dation was Imilt. * 

The next meeting set up was at Hopewell 
and a house was built in 1848, and then 
Pilot Grove about the same year. Ridge- 
farm, Carol and Georgetown meetings were 
established later. Sabbath schools were 
early established in all the meetings and 
reading and spelling were the branches 
taught. Later the Bible became the text 
book, llie quarterly meeting was begun in 
1863 in that memorable year of the Civil 
war. The Vermilion meeting house being 
too small for the accommodation of the 
crowds that gathered at these times, was en- 
larged the same year and stood as a land 
mark for all the country around, until its 



852 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



place was taken Ijy tlie splendid new brick 
structure which was built in 1884. 

The (jnarterly meeting is now composed 
of eight monthly meetings with a total 
membership of one thousand eight hundred 
members. ,\11 of tliese meetings are not in 
\'eniiilii>n countv but all have sprung from 
this central point. 

Friends ha\e always l>elieved in educa- 
tion as a means of uplifting humanity and 
provisions were early made for schools. 
The first school was a subscription school 
taught by Reuben Black, who came from 
Ohio, in 1824-5. ^t was in a log house one 
mile west of V^ermilion Grove. There were 
fourteen children on roll and the branches 
taught were reading, writing and spelling. 
Among others whose names are mentioned 
as early teachers were Elijah Veager, Henry 
Fletcher aiul Elisha Hobbs. In 1849 the 
people got uj) a subscription to build a new 
house but could not raise the money, so 
David and Elvin Haworth and William 
Canaday with the help of some others built 
\vhat was called \'ermilion Seminary in 
1850, a building thirty by fifty-two with two 
recitation rcjoms and supplied with proper 
desks and furniture. They employed J. M. 
Davis as principal rmd school opened with 
one hundred and ten students. This school 
continued for many years and prospered. 
The standard of education was held high and 
as a result the Academy was founded in 
1874. This was really a continuation of 
the old seminary which disappeared with the 
advent of free schools. The present two- 
story brick building was erected at a cost of 
eight thousand dollars. A peoples' endow- 
ment of ten tlKHisand dollars was raised. 
William Rees, |ohn Henderson, Richard 
Mendenhall, John Elliott. Jonah M. Davis 
and Elvin Haworth were the first board of 
trustees. Edwin Harney was first principal. 



'i'he school is under control of \'ermilion 
(piarterly meeting of Friends Church, but it 
is not sectarian. The location of the acad- 
emy is a very l)eautiful one, in a natural 
grove of three acres which was donated to 
the school by Thomas Hester, father of the 
late William Hester. Other lilieral dona- 
tions have been made to the institution, 
among which was the donation by Elvin 
Haworth of all his property, including a 
splendid farm of one hundred and twenty- 
five acres close by. A movement is on foot 
at the present to increase the endowment ten 
thousand iloUars more, which if accom- 
plished will put the school on a splendid 
financial basis. The quarterly meeting is 
proud of her school and liberally patronizes 
the institution. 

Such is the history of Friends from their 
beginning in Elwood township and \'ermil- 
ion township and \^ermilion county. Many 
points of interest are necessarily omitted, but 
we feel sure that the points mentioned will 
be of interest to manv. — Bertr.vm Reks. 



COLONEL ISAAC CLEMENTS. 

Colonel Isaac Clements, who is now 
serving as governor of the Danville branch 
of the National Home for disabled soldiers, 
is a native of Brcwkville, Indiana, born 
March ^i. 1837. His father, Isaac Clem- 
ents, was a native of Maryland, but 
removed to Indiana and died in Laurel of 
the latter state in 1873. 

Between the ages of six ami eighteen 
}ears Colonel Clements attended the com- 
mon schools of Indiana and was afterward 
engaged in teaching for a year or two in 
order that he might further continue his 
studies. When twenty years of age he en- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



853 



tered the Asbury University at Greencastle 
and was there graduated on the completion 
of tlie regular course with the class of 1859. 
In the same year he came to Illinois, locating 
in Jackson county, where for six months he 
pursued his temporary vocation of teaching. 
Later, however, as soon as he had read suffi- 
ciently so as to be admitted to the bar, he 
began practice, having been admitted in 
1861. His professional career, however, was 
soon interrupted for the great issue of civil 
war was before tlie country and in July Col- 
onel Clements offered his services as a de- 
fender of the Union. He was made second 
lieutenant of Company G, Ninth Illinois In- 
fantry, and was appointed provost marshal 
at Athens, Alabama, acting in that capacity 
from 1863 until the spring of 1864, when he 
resigned in order to join his company which 
was then advancing on Atlanta. During the 
term of his military service he participated 
in many notable engagements and sustained 
two severe wounds. He was in the battles 
of Shiloh, where he was twice wounded, 
Fort Donelson and Corinth and at the last 
named place was again wounded. He was 
also in the advance on Atlanta. He did 
valiant service for his country wherever 
duty called him and since the close of hostil- 
ities he has long been engaged in public ser- 
vice of a more quiet nature, although of a 
no less important character. His loyalty to 
his country is above question and with dis- 
tinguished honor he represented his district 
in the forty-third congress, being elected 
from Illinois to participate in the councils 
of the nation. In 1877 '^^ ^^''^^ appointed a 
penitentiary commissioner for the southern 
Illinois Prison at Chester and acted in that 
capacity for eleven consecutive years. Sub- 
sequently he did duty at Chicago as United 
States pension agent for three \'ears and for 
nearly a year he was superintendent of the 



Soldiers' Orphans" Home at Xormal, Illinois. 
In December, 1898, he was appointed to his 
responsible and honorable position as gov- 
ernor of the Soldiers" Home of Danville. 

On the 1 6th of November, 1864, the 
Colonel was married to Miss Josephine Nutt, 
a daughter of Cyrus Nutt. D. D., LL. D., 
of Bloomington, Indiana. They became the 
parents of four children, of whom three are 
living: Frank, Louis and Robert. For 
thirty years Colonel Clements has been a 
valued representative of the Masonic fra- 
ternity and he is also connected with the 
Grand Army of the Republic. Almost his 
entire life has been spent in the government 
service, either upon the held of battle or in 
civic office and his course has been such as 
to awaken the highest commendation and 
confidence. Like a soldier, he has ever felt 
that his first duty was to his country and its 
welfare and he has ever placed the general 
good before personal aggrandizement. 



WILLIAM HESSEY. 

For many years this gentleman resided 
in Vermilion county and his name is insep- 
arably connected Avith the early commercial 
interests of Danville, where he was engaged 
in merchandising for a long period. His 
birthplace was near Louisville. Kentucky, 
either in that state or southern Indiana, and 
he was a boy of twelve when he came to 
Vermilion county, Illinois, with his parents. 
His father took up government land here 
and engaged in farming. 

The early life of our subject was spent 
upon a farm in Middlefork township and 
bis education was obtained in the subscrip- 
tion schools so common in those days. Re- 
moving- to Danville in 1857 he entered into 
partnership with E. P. ■Martin and opened a 



854 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



general store, becoming one of tlie early 
merchants of this place. He continued to 
engage in business here until 1876 and then 
lived retiretl until his death, which occurred 
on the 4th of December. 1888. his remains 
being interred in Spring Hill cemetery. 

Mr. Hcssey was twice married, his first 
wife being Miss Catherine Cannady of In- 
diana, by whom he had si.x children. Those 
still living are Mrs. English, a resident of 
Danville. Illinois: Belle, who makes her 
home with Mrs. English; and Cordelia, wife 
of Seth \\". Dennv of Evansville. Indiana. 
The mother of these children died in Xo\em- 
bcr. 185S. and Mr. Hessey subsequently 
married Elizabeth Hessey, and to them were 
bom two children, one of whom is deceased. 
The other is tlie wife of Daniel W. \'oorhees 
of Peoria. Illinois. By a former marriage 
Mrs. Hessey had two children, Ijoth now de- 
ceased. 

Mr. Hessey was a supporter of the Dem- 
ocratic party but totik no active part in poli- 
tics aside from \'oting. He was connected 
with the blue lodge of the Masonic fraternity 
at Danville and held membership in the 
Christian church. He was a man of the 
jiighest respectability, and he left behintl him 
an hiinoral)!e record well worthy of emula- 
tion. 



WILLIAM WILLIAMS. 

William Williams is a retired farmer 
now H\ing in 1 loopeslon. During the vears 
of his active business career his persistent la- 
I)or and carefully directed energy brought to 
him a conijietence which now enables him to 
put aside all business cares and rest in the 
enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. 
He was born in McLean county, Illinois, in 
1832, and was the only child of W^illiam 



Williams. The father was a native of Ten- 
nessee and after arriving at years of matur- 
ity he wedded Miss Kiela B. Hobson, a na- 
tive of North Carolina, their marriage being 
celebrated in McLean county. The father 
died during the early l)oyh(Kjd of our subject 
and the mother afterward became the wife 
of J. ("i. Reyburn. and her death occurred 
when William Williams of this review was 
but sixteen years of age. Mr. Williams iiad 
two half-sisters, Mrs. Ellen Bunn and Mrs. 
-Margaret Rowell, and a half-brother, 
James, now deceased. 

Mr. Wil]i;ims remained with his mother 
until after her death, living upon the old 
home farm, and in the district schtxils pur- 
sued his education. He continued on the old 
home place until twenty-one years of age 
and then started out in life, on his own ac- 
count, renting land for several years. He 
was married in 1854 to Miss Abigail Dean, 
will I was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 
1833. a (laughter of Jonathan X. and Mary 
(Elwell) Dean, who removed from Mary- 
land to Ohio ;ind subsequently took U]) their 
abode in McLean county. Illinois. The fa- 
ther there died while the mother passed 
away at the home of her daughter ]\lrs. 
Williams. The latter has two sisters and 
one brother yet living: William S. Dean, 
Mrs. Joseph Wilson and Mrs. Margaret 
Williams. 

The year 1871 witnessed the arrival of 
our subject in \ ermilion county. He pur- 
chased eighty acres of land in (irant town- 
ship and afterward ;idded another eighty 
acre tract, so that he now owns altogether a 
([uarter section on sections 18 and 19, Grant 
townshi]). All of the improvements upon 
this place he h;is ni;ide and the substantial 
buildings stand as monuments to his enter- 
prise and earnest labor. He continued the 
cultivation of his fields with marked success 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



855 



until 1889, when he removed to Hoopeston, 
where he purcliased a lot on Soutli Second 
avenue and erected thereon a very comfort- 
able and attractive residence. He now leases 
his land and the rental from his property 
brings him a good income. For a number 
of years he was known as a wide-awake and 
progressive agriculturist of his community 
and his persistent purpose and honorable 
dealing were potent elements in his success. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Williams 
was blessed with six children, of whom four 
are yet living. Elnora R. is the wife of 
Samue! Umbanhowar, a farmer of Grant 
township, by whom she has six children, 
Nellie, George, Charles, William, May and 
Frank; George, who married Emma Van 
Clave and died leaving one son, Frank ; 
James J., who resides upon his father's farm 
and married i\nna Sellers, by whom he has 
two children, Grace and Reed ; Eva, the wife 
of George Hobbs, of Michigan; and Lee, 
who married Myrtle Hewett. by whom he 
has two children, Robert and Harry, and 
makes his home in Rockford, Illinois. 

]\Ir. Williams and his wife are devoted 
members of the Church of Christ, although 
the lady was at one time a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. He is serving 
as a trustee and takes a deep interest in 
church work and the promotion of the cause 
of Christianity. Of the Masonic fraternity 
he is an exemplary member, emixidying in 
his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. In 
his political views he is an earnest Repub- 
lican and he served as highway commission- 
er, as trustee and school director in this 
cotmty, while in McLean county he once 
filled the position of constable. During the 
administration of Dr. W^ilson as mayor of 
Hoopeston he served as alderman from the 
first ward. In political thouglit and action 
he has always been independent, carrying 



out his honest views without fear or favor. 
In business he has achieved success through 
honorable effort, untiring intlustry and capa- 
ble management, and in pri\'ate life he has 
gained the warm personal regard which 
arises from true nobility of character, defer- 
ence for the opinions of others, kindliness 
and geniality. 



LINCOLN PAYNE. 

Lincoln Payne was born in Vigo county, 
Indiana, December 2, 1861, and is a son of 
Allen F. and Mary A. (Jewell) Payne, in 
whose family were six chilreen, he being the 
fifth in order of birth. In the common 
schools of Clay county, Indiana, he pursued 
his education, his parents having removed to 
that county when he was but five years of 
age. He remained as a student in 
school until seventeen years of age, when 
he began teaching in the district schools. 
He afterward attended the state normal 
school in Terre Haute, Indiana, and the 
county normal school at Brazil, Indiana. 

When twenty-one years of age Mr. 
Payne came to Danville and here learned the 
printer's trade with the Daily News, work- 
ing in the office as an employe for fi\'e years. 
He then entered the employ of the Illinois 
Printing Company with which he continued 
for four years, and during that time he was 
a member of the Ixjard of directors and the 
secretary of the company. In 1890, how- 
ever, he sold his interest and organized the 
Payne Printing CtMupany of which he is the 
chief stockholder. He was also the manager 
of the Danville Daily News, having as- 
sumed the office in February, 1891. 

Mr. Payne was married August 26, 
1890, to Miss Mary Graydon, of Indianapo- 
lis. Indiana, and thev have three children, 



856 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Lilla. Mary Graydon and Lincoln, Jr. Mr. 
Payne is a member of tlie Chamber of Com- 
merce, of tlie Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, tlie Benevolent and Protective Order 
of Elks and the Knights of the Maccabees. 
He has a public-spirited interest in the city 
and its progress and through the columns 
of his paper he has cliampioned many meas- 
ures for the general good, exerting strong 
influence over public opinion in this way. 
His career has been successful chiefly by 
reason of his natural ability and his thor- 
ough insight into the business in which as a 
young journalist he embarked. 



WILLIAM D. PORTER, M. D. 

Dr. William D. Porter for many years 
occupied a leading jiosition in professional 
circles not only because of his skill as a 
practitioner but also because of a life th;it 
would bear the closest investigation and 
scrutiny and that ever commanded esteem 
and good will. He was prominent among 
the rei^resentative citizens of Vermilion 
county and was numbered among the pion- 
eers of Blount township. His liirth occurred 
in Kentucky March 25, iS_'6, and his death 
on the 20th of August, 1890. when he was 
sixtv-four years of age. Many friends 
mourned his loss. His parents were Seth 
and Cynthia (Davis) Porter, also natives 
of Kentucky. In their family were four 
sons and a daughter, three of the sons be- 
coming physicians. 

Dr. Porter of this review completed a 
literarv course by graduation and afterward 
entered the medical department of the Uni- 
versity of Kentucky, at Louisville, in which 
he likewi.se graduated. In 1863 he came to 
\'ermilion countv, settling in Higginsville, 



which at that time was a prosi)erous and 
growing \illage. He began his practice, 
however, in Brown county, Indiana, remain- 
ing for a number of years in that county, to 
which his parents had removed. After com- 
ing to \'ermilion county he opened his oftice 
and his practice extended over a wide terri- 
tory. The night was never too dark or the 
weather too inclement for him to respond 
to a call from the sick and suffering, and 
his jirofessional services were extended as 
readil\' to the poor as to the rich. e\-en 
though there was no hope of any pecuniary 
reward. He formed a very wide acquain- 
tance and the qualities of his manhood en- 
deared him to those with whom he came in 
contact. 

It was in X'erniilion county that Dr. Por- 
ter formed the acquaintance of Miss Phoebe 
Holknvay. and winning her hand in mar- 
riage they were joined in wedlock on the 
28th of January, 1866. The lady was born 
in I'ranklin count}', Ohio, January 25, ^{833, 
a daugiiter of William and Eleanor ( Will- 
fawn ) Holhjway. Her father was a nati\e 
of Maryland, removing from the eastern 
slK)re of that state to Ohio, the mother be- 
ing born in the Buckeye state. She died 
when Mrs. Porter was only nine years of 
age and the daughter was left an orphan at 
fourteen. There were three daughters in 
the family, of whom Airs. Porter was the 
sec(Mid, and is now the only survivor. When 
she was a little maiden of fi\e summers 
her parents removed from Ohio, settling in 
Warren county, Indiana and there the 
mother died. 1 he father afterward caiue 
to Vermilion county, taking up his abode 
near Myers\ille, where he carried on farm- 
ing until his death. Mrs. Porter then went 
to live with the family of John Myers, a 
miller, for whom the town of Myersville 
was named. She remained there and attend- 




DR. WM. D. PORTER. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



859 



ed school until she readied womanhood. Her 
older sister had become the wife of George 
Grossman, who died, leaving two children, 
and Mrs. Porter then went to live with Mrs. 
Grossman, with whom she remained until 
her own marriage. Her younger sister, 
Mary, became the wife of J. H. Fairchild, 
a son of Timothy Fairchild, and died Octo- 
ber 16, 1 901, leaving a family of three 
daughters and one son, all of whom had 
reached adult age. The marriage of the 
Doctor and his wife was blessed with three 
children. Cynthia became the wife of A. 
C. Firebaugh, September 24, 1884, and to 
them were born five children : Glenn, Mary, 
Nellie, Ruth and Mossie. Eleanor was mar- 
ried in 1886 to Patrick Jordan, of James- 
burg, Ilinois. Mossie B. was married June 
25, 1893, to Daniel O'Brien, of Chicago. 

Dr. Porter was one of the influential cit- 
izens and progressive men of the county. He 
was identified with the Indiana State Medi- 
cal Society and was recognized as an able 
representative of his chosen profession. Fra- 
ternally he was connected with the Masonic 
Lodge and the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, and at the time of his death he 
owned three hundred acres of very valuable 
farm land and thus provided his wife and 
children with a good living. He was a 
model husband, a kind and loving father, 
a charitable and benevolent man and a loyal 
friend. INIrs. Porter now lives in a com- 
fortable, pleasant home close to her chil- 
dren and grandchildren. She is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church and has 
served as Sunday-school superintendent and 
is now conducting a class of young ladies. 
She has always looked upon the bright side 
of life and has done her part toward elevat- 
ing mankind, assisting in the care of the 
sick and helping the needy. Like her hus- 
band she has ever enjoyed the warm regard 



of many friends and her many excellent 
qualities of heart and mind have endeared 
her to those among whom she has lived. 



IRA GRANT DAVIS. 

I. Grant Davis was Jxirn in Vermilion 
county, Illinois, June 10, 1863, and is a son 
of Henry V. and Catherine (Callahan) 
Davis. Henry V. Davis was the son of 
Henry Davis, whose name appears else- 
where in this work in connection with the 
sketch of James Davis. Henry V. Davis 
was born September 25, 1819, and was mar- 
ried in February, 1843, to Mary Ann Cope- 
land. By this union were born the following 
children : William E., who resides at Beat- 
rice, Nebraska, and has one child ; and Sarah 
E., who has only one child li\-ing. Mr. 
Henry V. Da\is was again married, his sec- 
ond wife being Catherine Callahan. She 
died September 13, 1893. By this union 
three children were lx)rn: Oscar H. resides 
in Homer. Illinois. He is in the grain busi- 
ness at Marshfield, Indiana, and has four 
children — Chester, Katie, Harry and Frank, 
all at home. I. Grant Davis is the second 
child by the second union. George W. mar- 
ried Highley Robertson and resides five 
miles southwest of Homer, Illinois. They 
have two chiUlren, Chester and Clara, 
Henry V. Davis has made a distribution of 
his land among his children and retired to 
Homer, Illinois, in 1892. On the 5th of 
July, 1894, in Danville, he was married to 
Mrs. E. R. Thompson. They went to Mis- 
sissippi, where they lived for three years, 
when they came back to Danville, where they 
are now living. Mr. Davis is a hale and 
hearty gentleman, well able to attend to his 
business affairs and he and his wife have a 



86o 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



comtortaljle Iiome titteil up witli every con- 
venience. 

I. Grant Da\is attended scliuol at Pleas- 
ant \ alley, and afterward took the h\gh 
school course at Champaign, Illinois. At an 
early age he drove a carriage in Cham- 
paign, during a period of two years. 
He then renio\ed to a farm tive miles 
southwest of Homer, owned by liis father. 
On this farm he remained for four years, 
when he removed to the old homestead 
farm where he now lives. On the 15th 
of February, 1888, he was married to Miss 
Mary E. Palmer, who was born in Homer, 
December 3, 1867. She is a daughter of 
Milbnrn and Elizabeth (Miller) Palmer. 
The father was born May 13, 1836, near 
Yellow Springs, Ohio, and the mother was 
born ]\larch 31, 1831, in Zurich, Switzer- 
land. They were married in Homer, Illi- 
nois, where Milljurn Palmer purchased land, 
following agricultural pursuits, and where 
he still lives. In politics he is a Democrat, 
and he is a man of prominence and influence 
in his community. Mrs. Davis, the wife of 
our subject, was one of a family of ten chil- 
dren, eight of whom are still living. Clar- 
ence married Mattie Stebbins and resides in 
Homer, Michigan. Alice is the wife of 
William Flaugher and resides in Anderson, 
Indiana. IMary E. is the wife of our sub- 
ject. Carl M. resides in Anderson, Indiana. 
Olive and Oliver (twins) are now decKised. 
Jacob resides in Homer, Illinois. Emma is 
a telephone operator of Homer, Illinois. 
Ellen G. is the wife of Walter Wood, of 
Homer. Ada also lives at Homer. Illinois. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Davis have been 
born three children : Mallie L., born De- 
cem1:)er 2^. 1888; Henry H., born April 13, 
1891 ; and Palmer, Ixirn September 23, 1895. 
Mr. Davis has a large farm of two hundred 
and fifty-eight acres. This is one of the best 



in Vermilion county. He has rebuilt the old 
homestead and lias now a very attractive 
home. This is situated on sections 6 and 7 
in \'ance township. He is a pleasant and 
genial gentleman and has many friends. He 
belongs to the Baptist church and his wife 
to the Presbyterian. He is connected with 
the Masonic fraternity and a member of 
Homer Lodge, Xo. 199. He belongs to the 
Court of Honor, of which his wife is also a 
member. In politics he is a Republican. 
Every movement and measure intended for 
the welfare of his township, state or county, 
is heartily endorsed by Mr. Davis and to-day 
he is regarded as one of \'ance township's 
leading agriculturists. 



IRA GROVER JOXES. 

Ira (i. Jones is a retired farmer and capi- 
talist lixing in Ridgefarm. Seventy-six 
years ha\e come and gone since he arrived in 
Vermilion county and the history of the pio- 
neer settlement of this portion of the state 
would he incomplete without the record of 
Mr. Jones, who from the earliest develop- 
ment of the town has watched its growth 
and has been a prominent factor in its sub- 
-stantial improvement. When Illinois was 
cut oft' from the advantages and comforts of 
the older east bv the unbroken prairies and 
rivers which were luibridged. he was 
brought to this county by parents who 
reared him amid hardshi])s and trials of pio- 
neer life. 

The l)irth of Mr. Jones occurred in east- 
ern Indiana, near Liljerty, on the iith of 
January, 1826, his parents being Aaron and 
Phoebe ( W'atkins) Jones. The father was a 
native of Xew Jersey and in his early boy- 
hood was taken by his parents to Fayette 
county, Pennsylvania, where the family 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



86i 



liome was established. Tlie paternal grand- 
father of our subject was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary war and valiantly fought 
with the colonists in the struggle for inde- 
pendence. Aaron Jones was reared to man- 
hood in the Keystone state and after arriv- 
ing at years of maturity he wedded Phoebe 
Watkins, who was a native of Fayette coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania. They became the parents 
of eleven children, but only one is now liv- 
ing — Ira, of this review. In the year 1827 
Aaron Jones brought his family from Indi- 
ana to Edgar county, Illinois, and became 
one of the earliest settlers of this locality, lo- 
cating at Quakers Point. There he rented 
land for two years, after which he entered 
a claim from the government at the land 
office at Crawfordsville. He paid for this 
the usual government price and at once be- 
gan the cultivation and development of the 
farm. He erected a double log cabin with 
ji clay chimney, a puncheon floor and a clap- 
board roof. The nearest trading places at 
that time were Newport and Eugene, Indi- 
ana. The now flourishing and attractive 
city of Danville and the smaller cities and 
towns of Vermilion county were then but 
mere hamlets or had not yet sprung into ex- 
istence. The work of improvement seemed 
scarcely begun and the most farsighted 
could not have dreamed of the rapid changes 
which were to occur and make this one of 
the garden spots of the great Mississippi val- 
ley. "Father Jones," as he was called, was 
a very hos])itable man and his home was al- 
ways opetT to the weary traveler, whom he 
entertained to the best of his ability, never 
accepting any pay for his trouble, his cour- 
tesy and his hospitality. 

It was amid pioneer surroundings that 
Ira G. Jones was reared. The only educa- 
tion v.-hich he received was that afforded in 
one of the primitive log schools of the day. 



Children set on slab benches, their feet rest- 
ing on a puncheon floor. There was an im- 
mense firejilace in one end of the room and 
the furnishings were of the most primitive 
character. The metods of instruction, too, 
were in keejiing with the building and the 
text books were limited, but while his edu- 
cational facilities were meager Mr. Jones 
had ample training at farm work and it was 
hard work at that, for he assisted in the ardu- 
ous task of clearing and developing new 
land. Well can he remember the spinning 
wheel at which his mother worked for all 
the clothing used by the family was spun 
and woven in the household. A wooden 
mold-board was used in plowing the fields 
and the other farm implements bore little re- 
semblance to the improved machinerv' which 
lessens and facilitates farm labor at the pres- 
ent day. Wild game of all kinds was to be 
had in abundance, such as turkeys, pigeons 
and prairie chickens, much larger game was 
also killed, for deer still roamed over the 
prairies and venison furnished many a meal 
for the early settler. Wolves frequently 
made the night hideous with their howling 
and all around were seen the evidences of 
frontier life. There was, however, a spirit 
of good will, friendliness and helpfulness 
among tiie pioneers that is somewhat lack- 
ing at tlie present day. They rejoiced in 
each others Jiappiness and sympathized in 
each others sorrows and the latchstring was 
always out, friends and neighbors being 
heartily welcomed at the dift'erent pioneeer 
homes. 

Mr. Jones continued to work upon his 
father's farm up to the time of his marriage, 
which important event in his life was cele- 
brated in July. 1855. He wedded Miss 
Ruth Connor and for fourteen years they 
traveled life's journey together, but on the 
9th of August, 1869, she was called to her 



562 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



final rest. She had become the mother of 
seven children, hut of this number only four 
are yet living: Enieline, George \\'., Rosa- 
lie and Seymonr. 

On the 24th of November, 1871. Mr. 
Jones was again married, his second union 
being with Mrs. Rhoda J. Rice, the widow 
of James M. Rice and a daughter of James 
]~. W'eller, of Ehvood township, \'ermilion 
county, l.'nto this marriage have been born 
four children, all sons : Pearl wedded Allie 
Davis and they reside in Ridgefarm, where 
he is engaged in the planing mill I)usiness. 
They have three children. Frank married 
INIollie Dubre and has one child. His home 
is in Edgar county, Illinois, where he is en- 
gaged in farming. Bertie died at age of 
one year. Arthur married Nettie Cooke and 
they reside in l-llwood township, where he is 
devoting his energies to agricultural pur- 
suits. 

Throughout the years of his active busi- 
ness career Mr. Jones engaged in farming. 
He worked industriously and energetically 
and was a progressive farmer who kept in 
touch with the advancement made in agri- 
cultural implements and in the methods of 
tilling the soil. His untiring industry and 
capable management proved the evidence of 
his success and as the years passed he added 
to his landed possessions until he is now the 
owner of almost three thousand acres of the 
rich, productive and valuable land of Ver- 
milion county. All this has been acquired 
entirely through his own labors. hVoni early 
spring time until the crops were harvested in 
the late autumn he worked in the fields or 
superintended the operations of his farming 
interests as he advanceed in years and also 
made progress in a financial way. Certainly 
such a life record is commendable and 
should serve as a source of inspiration and 



encouragement to others who have to begin 
life as he did. empty handed. On April 14, 
1887. he retired from his home in Ehvood 
township, removing to Ridgefarm, where he 
has since resided. 

In politics Mr. Jones is a stalwart and 
earnest Republican who has given his sup- 
port to the party since its organization and 
has been active in its councils. He has served 
as highway commissioner, as road overseer 
and as school trustee and has also been a 
member of the city council of Ridgefarm. 
In matters pertaining to the general good he 
has ever borne his i)art anil in public office 
has discharged his duties with promptness 
and fidelity. Mr. Jones has now passed the 
seventy-seventh mile-stone on life's journey. 
His life has been one of honor as well as of 
industry and wherever he is known he is held 
in the highest esteem. He has a very wide 
accpiaintance gained through his long resi- 
dence in \'ermilion county. His memory 
goes back to tlie time when this section of 
the state was but sparsely settled, when Indi- 
ans still visited the district, for it was sev- 
eral years after the arrival of the family be- 
fore the Black Hawk war occurred. The 
land was yet unclaimed for the uses of the 
white man, only here and there was a set- 
tlement to show that the rq)resentatives of 
the white race had made their way into this 
district. Mr. Jones can relate many inter- 
esting incidents of those early days and takes 
pleasure in recalling events which occurred 
at that time and yet, he does not live in the 
])ast. but still maintains an active interest in 
the jiresent and rejoices in what Vermilion 
county has accomplished. He certainly de- 
serves mention as one of its leading agricult- 
urists and his life record proves what splen- 
did advantages Illinois offers to the wide- 
awake and energetic farmer. 



r 





^ 



\i^^Mly-a/l/' 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



S65 



\\'ILLIA.M STEWART. 

Deeply engraven on Danville's roll of 
fame is the name of William Stewart. By 
the death of this honorable and upright cit- 
izen the community sustained an irreparable 
loss and was deprived of the presence of one 
whom it had come to look upon as a guar- 
dian, benefactor and friend. Death often re- 
moves from our midst those whom we can 
ill afford to spare, whose lives have been all 
that is exemplary of the true, and thereby 
really great, citizen. Such a man was Mr. 
Stewart, whose whole career, both business 
and social, served as a model to the young 
and an inspiration to the aged. During a 
long and successful commercial life, char- 
acterized by enterprise, he ever maintained 
an enviable reputation for the highest honor 
and principle, and no unworthy deed or 
word ever linked itself with his name. 
Through the conduct of important business 
afifairs he contributed largely to the general 
prosperity, and no citizen of Illinois ever 
made better or more unostentatious use of 
his accumulations. Danville in many ways 
profited by his prosperity and the welfare 
and upbuilding of the city were very dear to 
his heart. 

William Stewart was born in Bo 'Ness, 
Linlithgowshire, Scotland, January 26, 
1840, a son of Thomas and Anna (Young) 
Stewart, who were also natives of the land 
of the heather and were there married. The 
father engaged in teaching in the schools of 
Scotland, but fortj'-five years ago he was 
called to his final rest and his wife died 
twelve years ago. In their family were six 
children. 

The subject of this review pursued his 

early education in the schools of his native 

town and afterward continued his studies 

in Glasgow until fifteen years of age, when 
34 



he put aside his textbooks to become a 
factor in the business world. No special 
ad^'antages surrounded him in his youth, 
save that which comes as an inheritance 
from honorable parentage. He saw the 
necessity of providing for his own support 
and began learning the trade of a machinist 
and engineer, working as an apprentice for 
seven years and afterward as a journeyman 
in Scotland for a short time. A young man 
of twenty-two years, he came to An:erica 
in the fall of 1861, to enjoy the broader 
business opportunities of the new world. 
Making his way westward to Fort Wayne, 
Indiana, he secured employment in the 
Wabash Railroad shops and becoming fore- 
man he remained there for eleven years. 
His success was undoubtedly largely due to 
his persistency of purpose and his thorough 
understanding of the work in which as a 
young tradesman he embarked, his effi- 
ciency rendering his labors of value to those 
by whom he was employed. 

While in Fort Wayne Mr. Stewart was 
united in marriage to Miss Mary Dickey, a 
native of Scotland and a daughter of Rob- 
ert and Ellen (Bell) Dickey, who were 
born, reared and married in Scotland and 
came to America in 1850. The father fol- 
lowed farming in early life and in Fort 
Wayne he was employed as a boiler-maker. 
For the past twenty years he has lived re- 
tired and he and his wife now make their 
home in T'^ort Wayne. In their family were 
eight children. Mr. Dickey is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity and his political 
support is given the Republican party. 

Mr. Stewart resided in Fort Wayne, 
Indiana, from the time of his marriage un- 
til January. 1873. when he came to Danville 
and was made foreman of the machine de- 
partment of what is now the Chicage & 
Eastern Illinois Railroad at this place. 



866 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Tliree years later he resigned his position 
to enter upon an independent business 
career, purchasing an interest in the Rey- 
nolds foundry, which was then a small con- 
cern. Not long after he bought out Mr. 
Reynolds' interest. In 1878 a disastrous 
fire occurred and Mr. Stewart lost much 
that he had previously saved, but with 
stout heart and strong determination he set 
to work to retrieve his lost possessions. 
The name of the enterprise was changed 
to the Stewart Foundry & Machine Com- 
pany and in 1891 the business was incor- 
porated under the name of the Danville 
Foundry & Machine Company, the stock- 
holders being A\'illiam Stewart and L. A. 
Chesley. l/mlcr the capable management 
of Mr. Stewart the business i)rospered until 
it became the leading industrial concern of 
this city, furnishing employment to many 
workmen. The i)Iant was continually en- 
larged until it covered four acres and the 
annual outcome is now very extensive, the 
products being sold throughout the length 
and breath of the land. 

Many other enterprises of importance 
in the business development and prosperity 
of Danville received the co-operation, en- 
couragement and direct assistance of Mr. 
Stewart. He was interested in the Danville 
Street Car Company, the Danville Electric 
Light Company and was one of the stock- 
holders in the Danville Fair Association. 
He had \aluable real-estate holdings here 
and nuR-b farm land in Indiana. The ex- 
tent and im]>ortance of his investiuents indi- 
cate in a measure the degree of his success. 
His prosperity came as the reward of a life 
of industry, guided by sound judgment and 
absolute fidelity to the ethics of commercial 
transactions. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stewart was born 
one child, Helen B. S., the wife of L. .\. 



Chesley. They also had a niece and ailopted 
daughter. Elizabeth !■'. Mr. Stewart was 
a prominent Mason, being made a member 
of the order soon after his arrival in Dan- 
ville, while in Chicago he received the con- 
sistory degrees. He also belonged to the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he 
atihliated v.ilb the I'resl)yterian church. A 
Republican in his political faith, he stanchly 
endorsed the party and for three terms he 
served as a niemlier of the city council of 
Danville, although the aid which he ren- 
dered to the city was usually unofficial. 
Local progress was a cause most dear to 
him and he rejoiced heartily in the sub- 
stantial improvement of Danville and con- 
tributed in very large measure to its up- 
building, being for many years associated 
with almost e\cry inii)rovement here made. 
He was connectetl with the opera house, the 
city hall and other public buildings, and the 
public library found in him a warm friend. 
He was largely instrumental in securing the 
estalilislnncnt of the Soldiers' Home here 
ami his aid was never sought in vain when 
the object was the betterment of public con- 
ditions here. He was a man of deep and 
earnest nature, of steadfast purpose and un- 
faltering fi(lelit\- to what he knew to be 
right. He made no loutl professions of his 
religious faith, but he believed and trusted 
in the supremacy of God and frequently re- 
peated the first fifteen verses of the four- 
teenth cha])ter of Jt)l) in a Scotch paraphrase, 
te;icbing of man's niortalitv and sin, ruid 
that bis body would arise again and he 
wtjuld appear before God. Of him it might be 
said as it was of Goldsmith's "\illage preach- 
er" that "e'en his failings leaned to \-irtue's 
side, " for be was charitable almost to a 
fault and although his was a most active 
business life he always had time to listen 
patientlv and sxinpathelically to a tale of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



867 



i-eal distress. In his giving. lio\ve\-er, he 
was unostentatious, nor did he heHeve in 
indiscriminate g'iving which often fosters 
vagrancy. His donations reheved genuine 
cHstress and many times were of marked 
vahie in enabhng a man to gain a start in 
the business world. He was ahvays glad 
of an opportunity to recognize and reward 
faithfulness on the part of his employes, by 
whom he was held in the greatest admira- 
tion and respect. 

Mr. Stewart passed away at eight 
o'clock on Wednesday morning. IMay 29, 
1901, and on Friday afternoon he was laid 
to rest in Spring Hill cemetery of Danville. 
His life record covered sixty-one years. He 
had used well the talents which had been 
entrusted to him and had accomplished 
much in his earthly pilgrimage of three 
score years. Viewed from any standpoint 
his life might well be called successful. He 
amassed a splendid fortune, but he ne\'er 
allowed the accumulation of wealth to in 
any way warp his kindly and g'enial nature 
and the sterling rectitude of his character 
won him the honor and esteem of men. 



THOMAS B. CASTLEMAN. 

In the promotion and advancement of 
the world in all the normal lines of human 
progress and civilization there is no factor 
which has exercised a more potent influence 
than the press, which is both the director and 
the mirror of public opinion. Vermilion 
county has been signally favored in the char- 
acter of its newspapers which have been vi- 
tal, enthusiastic and progressive, ever aim- 
ing to advance the interests of this favored 
section of the country and aiding in laying 
fast and sure the foundations of an enlight- 



ened commonwealth, to further the ends of 
justice and to uphold the banner of Illinois. 
In all of these matters the Danville Press has 
been among the foremost papers of the 
county and Thomas B. Castleman, its mana- 
ger, is a well known factor in journalistic 
circles. 

Mr. Castleman was born in Clark coun- 
ty, Virginia, a son of William A. and Ann 
R. (Isler) Castleman, who were also natives 
of the Old Dominion. The father was a 
farmer and merchant of Clark county, Vir- 
ginia, and also served as judge. He died in 
1884 at the age of seventy-four years, but 
the mother of our subject is still living. 
They became the parents of eleven children 
who reached manhood or womanhood and 
of this number seven are yet living, Thomas 
B. being the third in order of birth. 

In Berryville Academy, of Virginia, 
Thomas B. Castleman pursued his educa- 
tion, completing his school course in 1867. 
He afterward engaged in farming in his na- 
tive state until 1870 when he came to the 
west, establishing his home in Danville in 
that year. Here he entered the employ of 
William Hessey as bookkeeper and subse- 
quently accepted a similar position with the 
firm of ^Villiam Mann & Company with 
whom he continued for se\'en years. Later 
he engaged in dealing in men's furnishing 
goods for three years, after which he entered 
the postoffice as mail clerk, capably serving 
in that capacity for four years. The year 
1888 was spent as city editor of the Dan- 
ville Press and he then became bookkeeper 
for the Kellyville Coal Company. In the 
year 1891 he acted as clerk in the state legis- 
lature and in 1894 he was assistant postmas- 
ter of Danville, acting in that capacity under 
John Beard until 1897, when he became sec- 
retary, solicitor and local manager for the 
Danville Press, a position which he 



868 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



now holds. In June, 1901, he also 
became a member of the board of 
review of Vermilion county, and is 
now acting in that position. In his political 
affiliations he is an old school Democrat. 
He is not bitterl}' partisan, and in fact is 
liloeral on political matters believing it policy 
to maintain favorable conditions rather than 
to inaugurate changes. In the year 1889 he 
was elected city treasurer of Danville. 

^Ar. Castleman holds membership in 
Olive Branch Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M., 
of which he is a past master, and he also be- 
longs to the Benevolent and Protective Or- 
der of Elks. In 1875 he married Harriet 
Du Puy, of Flemingsburg, Kentucky, and 
untu them have been born three children, 
William D., Estelle -M. and Irene A. 



JOHX WILLIAMS. 

Jdlm Williams, now deceased, was a 
man respected for his sterling traits of 
character and at his death the community 
lost a valued citizen. He was born in Har- 
rison county, (Jhio, September 29, 1832, a 
son 1)1 Xathan and Sarah (^Hooi>es) Will- 
iams, who in the spring of 1854 came to 
Vermilion county. They belonged to the 
Society of Friends and the father was a 
preacher of that denomination. 

John Williams was a young man of 
twenty-two years when he arrived in Ver- 
milion county to face pioneer conditions 
and assist in the development of this region 
from a frontier district to an advanced state 
of civilizalidu. He engaged in breaking 
l)rairie and in fanning and during the tliinl 
year after his arrival he entered three hun- 
dred and twenty acres of land on section 12, 
Prairie Green township, Iroquois county. 



There he lived for seventeen years. For 
several years he was engaged in the grocery 
business and then removed to his farm 
south of Hoopeston, carrying on agricult- 
ural pursuits until, on account of ill health 
he retired from business life and purchased 
a home in Hoopeston, where he spent his 
remaining days. 

On the 13th of October, 1858, Mr. Will- 
iams was united in marriage to Elnora 
Shankland, who was born in 1841 and died 
February 23. 1864. They had three chil- 
dren, but all had passed away before Mr. 
-Williams was a second time married. On 
the 1 2th of August, 1867, Jennie M. Har- 
wood became his wife. She was born April 
7, 1844. They had two children who died 
in infancy and there are two who now sur- 
vive; Xe'lie, the wife of J. E. Whitcomb, of 
Hoopeston, and Josephine, the wife of 
Mont ^Volverton. Mrs. Williams was bom 
in East Rupert, \'ermont, in 1844 and came 
alone to Illinois, l)eing married in Watseka 
in 1867. 

I'or man_\- years Mr. Williams was a 
member of the Christian church and thruugh 
a long period served as one of its elders. 
He took a very active interest in church and 
Sunday-schot)l work antl his widow now 
attends the Christian church, although she 
is a member of the Congregational church. 
For some years prior to his death Mr. Will- 
iams was an invalid and at length passcil 
away at his home in FIooi)eston on the 27th 
of January, 1902, his remains being inter- 
red in Moral Hill cemetery. His life was 
ever honorable antl ui)riglit and all wliu knew 
him respected him for his genuine worth. 
He served as assessor of Prairie Green 
towiishii) fur four or h\-e consecuti\'e years 
and in all life's relations he was found true 
to the trusts reposed in him and to prin- 
ciples of upright manhood. Mrs. Williams 




r/,^?^ /'::^M^^L<<^'^:>^^!>^ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



871 



now owns a farm in Indiana and her pleas- 
ant home in Hoopeston, so that she is com- 
fortably situated in life. An earnest Chris- 
tian woman her influence is always on the 
side of improvement, progress, truth and 
the right. She belongs to the Women's 
Christian Temperance Union and is well 
known in temperance and church circles. 



ISAAC M. REES. 



Isaac M. Rees, who is engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits on section 26, Elwood 
township, near Ridgefarm, was born near 
Vermilion Grove in this county. November 
28, 1840. his parents being John and Sus- 
annah (Dillon) Rees. In the year 1830 his 
parents arrived in Vermilion county and 
were married here. They came with twaity- 
two others who were members of the Society 
of Friends or Quakers and to that faith they 
always adhered. The father was a farmer 
by occupation and carried on agricultural 
pursuits near Ridgefarm, thus providing for 
his family, which numbered seven children. 
These are, Thomas C, now deceased ; Mrs. 
Bethany Hiatt, who resides in Terre Haute, 
Indiana; Mrs. Jane Wallace, of Carthage, 
Missouri; James S., of Newburg, Oregon; 
Mrs. Ella S. Weeks, of Sapulpa, Indian Ter- 
ritory; and Mrs. Mary Gulick. of Gushing, 
Oklahoma. The father died in the year 
1854, and was survived by the mother for 
thirty-seven years. 

In taking up the personal history of 
Isaac M. Rees, we present to our readers one 
who has a wide acquaintance in Vermilion 
county. He pursued his education in the 
public schools and was reared in the usual 
manner of farmer boys, assisting materially 
in the development of his mother's lanil after 
his father's death. On the loth of Decem- 



ber, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss 
Araminta Mills, a daughter of William and 
Hannah Mills. She was born about a mile 
and a half west of Vermilion Grove and is a 
representative of the prominent and well 
known Mills family that was established in 
Vermilion county at a very early day in its 
history, when the Indians were far more 
numerous than the white settlers in this por- 
tion of the state. Unto the parents of Mrs. 
Rees were born twelve children, nine of 
whom reached years of maturity and are still 
li\-ing', being useful and representative citi- 
zens of the community. Like her husband 
Mrs. Rees was educated in the public schools 
and by her marriage she has become the 
mother of fi\'e children. Emory J. was mar- 
ried December 28, 1898, to Deborah Gor- 
man, and they went as missionaries to Jo- 
hannasburg, Africa. William A., who is 
living at Vermilion Grove, married Adella 
A. Commons. Mrs. Olive Walthall is the 
wife of A. J. Walthall, a farmer of Quaker, 
Indiana, and they have two children. Milo 
E. is a student in Penn College at Oskaloosa, 
Iowa; and Anna vS., who completes the fam- 
ily, is still at home. 

Mr. and JNIrs. Rees began their domestic 
life in the vicinity of Ridgefarm. where they 
lived for five years or more, and then re- 
mo\'ed to Champaign county, where they re- 
mained for nineteen years. On the expira- 
tion of that period they came to their present 
home on section 26, Elwood township. Here 
they now live happily and comfortably, our 
subject devoting his energies to general ag- 
ricultural pursuits with the result that he is 
annually adding to his capital. He is a pro- 
gressive agricu.lturist, a quiet, unassuming 
man, and a citizen of value. He manifested- 
his loyalty to his country at the time of the 
Civil war by putting aside all business and 
personal considerations and offering his aid 



872 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



to the Union. He enlisted on the 22(1 of 
July, 1862, as a member of Company A, 
Seventy-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
and lie afterward served with Compan_\- 11, 
of the First United States Veteran Volun- 
teer Engineers, continuing with that com- 
mand until mu.stered out, about the close of 
the war on the 27th of June, 1865. When 
the war was o\'er and the country no longer 
required his services, he received an honor- 
able discharge and returned to his home to 
again take up the work of the farm which he 
has since followed. He has taken an active 
interest in education and for many years 
ser\ed as a school director. He belongs to 
the Society of h'riends, and in his political 
faith is a Prohibitionist, having long been an 
ardent advocate of the cause of temperance. 
In fact his life has e\er been one in harmony 
v.'ith upright princijiles and he has fa\ored 
every measure and movement calculated to 
uplift his fellow men and advance the cause 
of morality in the community where he 
makes his home and beliexes that in severing 
his connection with the Republican party in 
1888 he cninpnimiscd none of the original 
principles of that \n\rt\ as a party of prog- 
ress and reform. 



JUDGE JACOB \V. WILKIX. 

The name of Judge Jacob \\'. Wilkin is 
inseparably associated with the history of 
jurisprutlence in Illinois and no man has 
been more respected in the state and none 
more highly deserved the honor that has 
been l>estowed upon him. He is now serv- 
ing as one of the supreme judges of the com- 
monwealth and his abilit}- makes him one of 
the most cai)abie jurists that ever graced the 
court of last resort. The Judge was born in 



Licking county. Ohio, in June, 1837, and is 
a son of Isaac and Sarah (Burner) Wilkin, 
natives of Virginia. Soon after their mar- 
riage they removed to Ohio, settling in Lick- 
ing county, and in 1845 they Ijecame resi- 
dents of Crawford county, Illinois, where the 
father engaged in farming. Prior to his ar- 
ri\-al in this state, howe\er, he had followed 
contracting rmd building. His life record 
covered eighty-one years, while his wife 
passed away at the advanced age of eighty- 
five, both dying in Marshall, Clark county, 
where they were living retired. In their 
family were nine children, six sons and three 
daughters, of whom four are yet living, but 
the Judge is the only one who resides in 
IJanxille. One brother and a sister are liv- 
ing in Robertson, Crawford county, and 
this brother, H. O. Wilkin, is filling the posi- 
tion of circuit clerk there. The sister. Mrs. 
]\lary M. Coulter, is a widow. The other 
brother. Rev. M. T. Wilkin, is a minister of 
the Methodist church, now preaching in L'r- 
bana, Illinois. 

When a lad of eight years Judge Wilkin 
was brougiit to Illinois by his parents and at- 
tended school in Crawford county. He aft- 
erward became a student in McKendree 
College in St. Clair county, Illinois, and was 
thus pursuing his literary educatiim when 
the Civil war broke out. Deeply interested 
in the questions which involved the country 
in the struggle and most loyal to the Union 
cause, he offered his services to the govern- 
ment, enlisting in Marshall, Clark county, as 
a mcmiier of Company K, One Hundred and 
Thirtieth HHnois X'ohinteer lnl'antr\-. under 
Colonel Xathaniel I'. Miles, the regiment 
being assigned t(j the Thirteenth Army 
Corps. With his command the Judge par- 
ticijjated in tiie battles ])rcccding the siege of 
A'icksburg and in the campaign which was 
followed bv the surrender of that southern 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



873 



strongliold. He was 011 detached service at 
General Grant's headquarters for sometime 
during the siege and he was also in the Red 
River campaign, during which he partici- 
pated in the battle of Sabine Cross Roads 
and other engagements. He also aided in 
the siege of Spanish B^ort, in the campaign 
against Fort Blakely and in other move- 
ments of the army in that district of the 
south. He had enlisted in the spring of 
1862, was mustered in in August of the same 
year and in the fall of 1865 he received an 
honorable dischharge, having been in the 
army for more than three years. He joined 
his company as a private but was soon aft- 
erward commissioned its captain and when 
mustered out hekl the rank of major of the 
One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois Regi- 
ment, which was a consolidation of the old 
One Hundred and Thirtieth and the Sev- 
enty-seventh Regiments. With his com- 
mand he was mustered out at Mobile and re- 
ceived his chscharge at Spring-field, Illinois. 
Following his return to civil life Judge 
Wilkin took up the study of law under the 
direction of Judge Scholfield, a distin- 
guished member of the Illinois bar and a 
jurist of prominence. In 1866 he was ad- 
mitted to the bar and he began practice in 
Marshall, Clark county. As a partner of his 
former preceptor he practiced from 1867 un- 
til 1873, and in the latter year the dissolution 
of the business relationship was brought 
about by the election of Judge Scholfield to 
the supreme bench. Judge Wilkin w^as then 
alone in practice until 1879, when he was 
elected circuit judge of the fourth circuit, 
comprising the counties of Clark, Edgar, 
Coles, Vermilion. Douglas, Moultrie, Ma- 
con, Piatt and Ch.ampaigii. Fie continued to 
reside in ^.larshall. Illinois, until 1885, when 
he was re-elected circuit judge and was as- 



signed to the appellate court of the fourth 
district, at which time he removed to Dan- 
ville. In June, 1S88, he was elected to the 
supreme bench, succeeding Judge John M. 
Scott, of McFean county, and in 1897 was 
re-elected so that he is now a member of the 
court of last resort. \Vhen first elected he 
became an associate of his former preceptor, 
Judge Scholfield, who was also upon the 
bench and continued a member of the su- 
preme court until his death, which occurred 
in February, 1893. A man of unimpeacha- 
ble character, of imusual intellectual endow- 
ments, with a thorough understanding of 
the law, patience, urbanity and industry, 
Judge ^Vilkin took to the bench the very 
highest qualifications for this most respon- 
sible ofiice in the system of the state govern- 
ment; and his record as a judge has been in 
harmon)- with his record as a man and law- 
yer, distinguished by unswerving integrity 
and a masterful grasp of every problem that 
has presented itself for solution. The Judge 
has great respect for the dignity of judicial 
place and power, and no man ever presided 
in a court with more respect for his environ- 
ments than does Judge Wilkin. As a result 
of that personal characteristic the proceed- 
ings are always orderly upon the part of 
every one — audience, bar and the officers 
from the highest to the lowest. His opin- 
ions are fine specimens of judicial thought, 
always clear, logical, and as brief as the 
character of the case will permit. He never 
enlarges beyond tb.e necessities of the legal 
thought in order to indulge in the drapery of 
literature. His mind, during the entire per- 
iod of his course at the bar and on the bench, 
has been directed in the line of his profession 
and his duty. .Vsitle from the practice of 
law and the performance of his judicial du- 
ties. Judge Wilkin has to some extent been 



874 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



interested in otlier Inisiness enterprises, hav- 
ing furmerl\- been the president of the Ori- 
ental I'louring Company of Danville. 

In September, 1865. was celebrated the 
marriage of Judge Wilkin and Miss .Alice 
E. Constable, a daughter of Judge Charles 
H. Constable, and unto them were born four 
children, of whom one died in infancy. The 
others are : Harry O., John Scholfield and 
Jessie B. The sons are both in Oregon. In 
the early spring of 1883 Mrs. Wilkin tlied, 
her remains interred in Marshall cemetery. 
In the fall of 1885 the Judge was again mar- 
ried, his second union being with Sarah E. 
Archer, a daughter of Judge William C. 
Whitlock, of Marshall, Illinois. By her iirst 
marriage she had one son, W^illiam Archer, 
who is now a practicing attorney of Chicago. 

The Judge is a member of the First 
Methodist Episcopal church of Danville and 
is serving as one of its trustees. In politics 
lie is a Democrat. h"ormcri_\- he was a Re- 
publican and served as a (iraiil elector in 
J 872. To a man of broad mind who has 
made a close study of social and economic 
questions as well as of the political history 
of his country, the subject of education is 
always a matter of interest and for many 
years Judge Wilkin served as a trustee of the 
Southern Illinois Normal School. Fratern- 
ally he is a prominent Mason, belonging to 
the lodge, chapter and commandery of Dan- 
ville and (jf the consistory and shrine oi Chi- 
cago. He is also identiiied with the Grand 
Army of the Republic and with the Loyal 
Legion of Chicago. A gentleman of pleas- 
ing and coiu'teiius manner he is not less es- 
teemed for his social worth than his profes- 
sional al)ility and he is to-day numl)ered 
among the distinguished residents of the 
state because of his well rounded character, 
his evenly balanced mind and spleuflid in- 
tellectual attainments. 



JAMES SLOAX. 

James Sloan, who is now so efficiently 
serving as sheriff of \'ermilion county, is 
a native of Illinois, his birth having occur- 
red in Joliet, Will county, on the 31st of 
March, 185 1. His parents, Samuel and 
Mary (Campbell) Sloan, were both born 
in Canada and are now deceased. During 
his early life the father followed farming 
in the Dominion, but his last days were 
spent in Joliet, Illinois. Of his nine chil- 
dren si.K are still li\ing but our subject is 
the only member of the family residing in 
this county. 

Mr. Sloan is inbebted to the public 
schools of Joliet for his early school privi- 
eges, but at the age of fifteen years his edu- 
cation was completed as far as attending 
school was concerned, and he then started 
out in life for himself, at first working as a 
farm hand in Will county. On the 3d of 
May, 1868, he accepted a position with the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad as water boy, 
and remained in the railroad service for a 
cpiarter of a ccntiu'_\', being gradually pro- 
moted — first to laborer and later to section 
foreman, road master and general road mas- 
ter. He only remained with the Chicago & 
Alton a short time, however, being em- 
ployed on the construction of their ilouble 
tracks, and on the 24th of November, 1868, 
left their omi)l(iy and was connected with 
the constructitMi of the Peoria, Pekin & 
Jacksonville Railroad until June 23, 1869, 
He was ne.xt with the Indiana, Blooming- 
ton & Western roatl, now a part of the Big 
hour system, entering their employ June 
23, i86q, on construction work, and re- 
maining with them until the completion of 
the road December 19, 1S70, when he took 
charge of a section as foreman and served 
as such until October 3, 1875. He was then 




JAMES SLOAN. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



S77 



promoted to road master in charge of the 
Peoria division and filled that position until 
the 15th of November. 1878, when he was 
given charge of the Chicago & Eastern Illi- 
nois Railroad as general road master, with 
office in Danville. He remained with that 
road until March 31, 1890, when he re- 
signed and took charge of the Clover Leaf 
Railroad with offices in East St. Louis, but 
remained with that company only until the 
3rd of May, 1890, when he resigned and 
accepted a sinfilar position with the Lake 
Erie & Western Railroad between La- 
fayette, Indiana, and Peoria, Illinois, with 
head-quarters at Paxton. 

On the 17th of September, 1873, Mr. 
Sloan was united in marriage to Miss Lu- 
cinda Stone, a native of Pekin, Tazewell 
county Illinois, and to them have been born 
eight children, as folhnvs : Lucinda, the oldest 
child, who died in infancy ; Minnie, now the 
wife of O. D. Ehlicher, a druggist of Pekin, 
Illinois ; James, who married Frances Mc- 



Revno 



of Danville, and is now assisting 



his father in the duties of his office; Ellen: 
Henry, who married Esther Tobby, and is 
engaged in the confectionery business in 
Danville; Will, Lulu and Florence, all at 
home. 

The Republican partv has always found 
in Mr. Sloan a stanch supporter of its prin- 
ciples and he has taken a very prominent 
and influential part in public affairs. Dur- 
ing his early residence in Danville, in 1S84, 
he was elected and served as alderman from 
the second ward for two terms and in 1887 
was elected mayor of the city, while serving 
his second term as alderman, and that office 
he filled with credit to himself and to the 
entire satisfaction of his constituents for two 
years. In April, 1893, while living in Pax- 
ton, Illinois, he was again elected mayor of 
Danx'ille. and returned to this citv to enter 



upon the duties of the office, again serving 
one term. On December 5, 1894, he accept- 
ed the position of deputy sheriff and served 
in that capacity for four years, continuing 
after his term as mayor expired, and was 
elected sheriff' in the fall of 1898. He 
proved a most capable and trust- 
worthy officer, serving until Decem- 
ber I, 1902, and in all the relations 
of life has been found true and faithful to 
any trust reposed in him. Socially Mr. 
Sloan is a prominent Mason, belonging to 
the blue lodge, chapter and commandery of 
Danville, and the consistory and Mystic 
Shrine of Chicago. He is also connected 
with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and 
the Roadmaster's Association of America, 
in which he served as vice-president for three 
or four terms. He is now a director of the 
Vermilion Building Association, and as a 
public-spirited citizen he takes a commend- 
al)le interest in all mo\"ements calculated to 
pro\'e of public benefit. 



JOHN SPROULS. 



John Sprouls. a pronfinent and enter- 
])rising farn.ier, is the owner of two hundred 
and seventy-five acres of rich land in 
Georgetown township and the neat appear- 
ance of his place with its excellent improve- 
ments and modern equipments is an indica- 
tion of the careful supervision which he 
gives to his property and to his farm work 
in its various departments. His birth oc- 
curred upon this farm. February 26, 1845, 
and he belongs to one of the old and honored 
pioneer families of the county. His father, 
James Sprouls. was born in Pennsyl\-ania 
and in earlv life went from that state to 



8/8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Oliio. where lie l)ecanie acquainted with 
Miss Mary Hathaway. He sought and won 
her hand in marriage and they began their 
domestic life in Ohio, which was her native 
state, there living until 1837, when they 
started westward, taking up their abode in 
Vermilion county, Illinois. Here ^Ir. 
Sprouls entered one hundred and sixty acres 
of land fr(_ini the government, becom- 
ing the owner of a quarter section, a part 
of the farm iq)on which his son John now 
resides. With characteristic energy he be- 
gan improving the land, turned the first fur- 
rows in the fields and carried on the task of 
plowing and planting until his fields were 
under a high slate of cultivation, in fact, he 
continued farm work there throughout his 
remaining days. On the nth of March, 
J 845, while riding a horse, he was thrown 
and killed. In her later years the mother 
lived among her children in this county and 
reached the very ad\anceil age of ninety- 
three. L'litii Mr. and .Mrs. Sprouls had been 
burn thirteen children, five of whom now 
sur\i\e, while most of the others died in 
early childhood. Andrew married America 
Pribble and is engaged in farming in \'er- 
milion county. Indiana. George wedded 
Hannah J. Davis and follows agricultural 
pursuits on a part of the old homestead. 
Elizabeth is the wife of William Rubv and 
resides in Newport, Indiana. Hannah is the 
widow of Sanslmry Holdaway and resides 
in Eugene. Indiana. 

John Sprouls. of this review, the young- 
est member of the family, was but an in- 
fant at the time of his father's death. His 
educational privileges were ulitained in the 
common schools. Throughout his youth he 
remained at home assisting his mother in the 
work of the home farm aiKl assuming its 
management as he attained an age that qual- 
ified him for such a task. He sought as a 



companion and helpmate for life's journey 
Miss Sarah Ann Hearst, their marriage be- 
ing celebrated here. The lady was born in 
X'ermilion county, Imliana, where her fa- 
ther carried on farming, but afterward he 
removed to Missouri and there died. The 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Sprouls has been 
blessed with nine children: Etta, the wife 
of John Brown, a resident farmer of George- 
town townshii); Amos B., who married Bes- 
sie Sollars and is a farmer of Cieorgetown 
townsbiij; .Mice, the wife of Hanson Nut- 
cher, who is living in \'ermilion county, 
Indiana: and Leonard, Clara, Laura, Grover 
and Gertie, all at home ; and Doha, who died 
in infancN'. 

After his marriage Mr. Sprouls and his 
brother George took charge of the home 
place, ecjtially dividing the property, our sub- 
ject becoming the owner of the south half 
and there he has since resided. He has, 
however, extended, the boundaries of his 
jjlace by additional purchases until he now 
owns two hundred and seventy-fi\-e acres of 
rich and arable land, on which he has made 
many nice improvements, where he carries 
on general farming. His attention is chiefly 
gi\'en to stock-raising and he makes a spe- 
cialty of fine cattle. He has found this a 
good source of income and has Ijecome well 
known as a stock-dealer throughout this 
part of the stale. .\s the years have passed 
by his success has increasctl and yet he owes 
his linancial ad\ancement not to any outside 
aid or influence l)ut to earnest work, sup- 
])!emented by sound business judgment. He 
has always votetl with the Democracy and 
belie\-es firmly in the principles of the ])arty. 
r>otb he and his wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church of Georgetown 
townshi]) and are earnest Christian people, 
whose lives are in harmony with their faith 
and professions. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



879 



C. D. HEXTOX, M. D. 

Tlie fitting reward of a well spent life is 
an honorable retirement in which to enjoy 
the fruits of former toil and a period of rest 
from labor. This has been vouchsafed to 
Dr. Henton as the reward of his energy and 
2)erseverance in former years. He was one 
of the first practicing physicians of Ver- 
milinn county, having located here in 1853. 
His death occurred in Hillsboro, Ohio, Au- 
gust 3, 1 83 1, his parents being Evan and 
Maria (Inskeep) Henton, both of whom 
were natives of Ohio and during the greater 
part of their li\-es they were residents of the 
vicinity of Hillsboro. The father was a 
farmer by occupation and always carrietl on 
that pursuit in order to provide for the sup- 
port of his family. 

The Doctor obtained his early education 
in his native state, supplementing his com- 
mon-school privileges by study in the acad- 
emy at Hillsboro, Ohio. He was the only 
member of the family that ever came to 
Vermilion county, the year 1853 witness- 
ing his arrival here and he took up his 
abode near Myersville, where he began prac- 
ticing. While living there he was married to 
Miss Susan Gundy, thus securing a faithful 
companion and helpmate for life's journey. 
She was born near ]\[yersville, June 6, 1833, 
a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Davidson ) 
Gundy, both of Columbus, Ohio, whence 
they came to Vermilion county at a very 
early epoch in the history of this portion of 
the state. Her father purchased a tract of 
land near Myersville and was there engaged 
in general farming and stock-raising, suc- 
cessfully carrying on business until his 
death. The Doctor and his wife have one 
daughter. Hattie ]\Iay. 

In i860 Dr. Henton entered Rush Medi- 
cal College of Chicago, in which he was 



graduated with the class of 1861 and given 
a certificate to practice. He then returned 
to ilyersville, where he soon secured a 
liberal patronage and gained thorough ex- 
perience as a medical practitioner. He con- 
tinued at that placfe until 1872, when desir- 
ing a wider field of labor he came to Danville 
and opened an ofiice on Vermilion street. 
He was not long in winning the public con- 
fidence by reason of his skill and ability and 
he continued in active practice until 1897, 
when on account of failing health he laid 
aside his professional duties and has since 
li\-ed retired. He was very successful in his 
chosen field of labor and his career was one 
of progression for his was a nature that 
could not l)e content with mediocrity and he 
steadily advanced until he won a foremost 
i)!ace among the capable physicians of Ver- 
milion county. 

Wv. Henton has never held nor sought 
ofiice, yet he has ever been a stanch advocate 
of Republican principles and has kept well 
informed on the issues and cjuestions of the 
day. He is an exemplary representative of 
the Masonic fraternity of Danville and both 
he and his wife are members of the Kimber 
Methodist Episcopal church of this city. He 
owns a beautiful home at Xo. 519 West 
Madison street, where he is now living with 
his wife and daughter. Hospitality reigns 
supreme there and unto the Doctor and his 
family is freely accorded in turn the hospi- 
tality of many of the best homes of the citv. 



JESSE LAXE. 



For sixty-seven years Jesse Lane has re- 
sided in Illinois. He is now living retired in 
Potomac, but was for many years one of the 
active business men of the town and a thrifty 



83o 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



farmer of the county. He was born near 
Lafayette, Indiana, Januarj- 27, 1831, and is 
a son of William Lane, whose birth occurred 
in North Carolina about 1796. About 1815 
he removed with his parents to Ohio, the 
family becoming early settlers of that state. 
William Lane was three times married, his 
third union being with Nancy Lacy, who 
was a native of Georgia but was reared in 
Ohio. It was she who became the mother 
of the subject of this re\iew. Mr. Lane re- 
moved from Ohio to Indiana and lived in 
different counties of that state until 1835, 
when he came to Vermilion county, Illinois, 
settling in IVkjuui township. There he en- 
tered land and opened up a farm which con- 
tinued to be his place of residence until his 
death, which occurred in 1884, when he had 
reached the advanced age of eighty-eight 
years. 

It was u])()n this farm that Jesse spent 
the (la\-s of bis boyhood and youth, work- 
ing in the fields and meadows through the 
summer while in the winter season he at- 
tended school to a limited extent, but his 
knowledge has been largely acquired in the 
sclu)ol of experience, and through observa- 
tion and reading he has grained much practi- 
cal knowledge. In early life he began farm 
work on his own account. His father gave 
him ninety-live acres of raw land in what 
is now .Middlefork township. L'])on this 
he turned the tirst furrows and also m:ule 
the rails to fence his tract. With the work 
of plowing, planting and harvesting he was 
actively engaged and in later years as his 
financial resources increased be addetl to his 
projjcrty from time to time until he had three 
hundred and se\'enty-hve acres, lie erected 
a good residence, substantial barns and out- 
buildings and ])lanted three orchards. He 
also adorned bis place by shade trees, tiled 
his land and made substantial improvements 



which transformed his farm into a valuable 
place. In the barnyard were found good 
grades of stock and he both raised and fed 
stock for the market. About 1875 he rented 
his farm and removed to Potomac, where 
he purchased residence property. He also 
bought a lumber yard and became connected 
with the commercial interests of the place. 
For ten vears he engaged in dealing in lum- 
ber and coal. He has also made imx'stments 
in more land and is to-day the owner of two 
valuable farms in the county, the rental from 
which returns to him an excellent income. 
He has purchased the old Lane iiomestead 
of two linndred and seventy-five acres on 
the Dan\-ille road, eight miles northwest of 
the city. 

Mr. Lane was married in this county 
March 3, 1853, to Delilah Smith, a native of 
Ohio, although reared in X'ermilion county 
where her father, John Smith, located at an 
earlv day. Mr. 1 .ane was called upon to 
mourn the loss of his wife about 1864. She 
left four children: Clara B. is the wife of 
John Davis, of Arizona; Effie is the wife of 
William Warren, of Tcrre Haute, Indiana, 
and lias two children, William and Daisy; 
Mary Elizabeth and Amanda, the third and 
fourth children, lived to be married and both 
are now deceased. In 1867 'Sh. Lane was 
married to Emaline I-'ouch, who was born 
and reared in Ohio. There she married 
.Simjison b'ouch ;ind later came to Illinois. 
Mrs. Lane has a son by her first marriage, 
\\'illiam O. Fouchs. of Oregon, who is mar- 
ried and has a family. Mr. Lane has another 
grandchild. Alta Holth, the wife of John 
Holth, and a son of .\manda Lane, \\ho 
married Francis Shain. 

Politically Mr. Lane is a Jeffersonian 
Democrat, having always supported the party 
since casting his first presidential ballot for 
James Buchanan in 1856. The only excep- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



88i 



tioii whicli he lias made was in 1872. He 
has served as one of the town board, aided 
in organizing the town and has frequently 
been a member of the school board. He 
has also served as a delegate to the county 
' conventions of his party and has ever been 
deeply interested in its growth and success. 
He and his wife are members of the United 
Brethren church of Potomac and he is one of 
its trustees. Through almost seven decades 
Mr. Lane has resided in Vermilion county 
and is therefore to-day one of its honored 
pioneers and has witnessed almost its entire 
growth and development as it has emerged 
from primiti\-e conditions to take its place 
among the best counties of this great state. 
The deer and wolves which li\-ed in the forest 
and roamed over the prairies have all dis- 
appeared and in their place are seen fine 
grades of stock. The primitive frontier 
homes have been replaced by substantial farm 
residences and attractive city homes. Roads 
liave been constructed, farms improved and 
industrial and commercial activity has 
transformed the cities. Everything indi- 
cates improvement and progress, in all of 
which Mr. Lane has taken a keen and active 
interest, bearing his part in the work of de- 
velopment as he has found opportunity. He 
is to-day an honored resident of the com- 
munity and it is with pleasure that we pre- 
sent the record of his life to our readers. 



EXOS COOK. 



No state in the Lnion can boast of a more 
heroic band of pioneers than Illinois in their 
intelligence, capability and genius. They 
ranked with the pioneers of the east, and 
their hardships, privations and earnest labors 
have resulted in establishinsr one of the fore- 



most commonwealths of America, the possi- 
bilities of which are greater than any of those 
possessed by her sister states. Among the 
early settlers of Vermilion county was Enos 
Cook, who for thirty-five years maintained 
his residence here, dying September 11, 1877. 
He was born in Union county, Indiana, No- 
vember 14, 1 81 7, and came of Quaker an- 
'cestry. 

The ancestral line can be traced back to 
Peter Cook, a native of Chestershire, Eng- 
land, who started for America in 171 3 but 
died on the voyage. The next in direct line 
was Peter Cook, Jr., who was the father of 
Thomas Cook. The latter was born in Ches- 
tershire, England, in 1704, a son of Peter 
and Elinor (Norman) Cook, who settled in 
Pennsylvania in 1713, and in Chester county, 
that state, Thomas Cook wedded Alary Un- 
derwood. In 1742 they removed to War- 
rington, York county, Pennsylvania, where 
Thomas Cook died between 1749 and 1752. 
His son Isaac was the great-grandfather of 
oiu' subject. He was probably born in 1743, 
as the records show that he died at Caesar's 
Creek, Ohio, in 1820, at the age of seventy- 
seven years. His wife was Charity Cook, a 
gifted woman among the Quakers, who took 
a very acti\'e and prominent part in the work 
of the society. She was a daughter of John 
and Rachel (Wells) Wright. Her son, 
Thomas Cook, was born in South Carolina, 
January 3, 1770, and was married Septem- 
ber 5, 1792, to Keziah Henderson, a daugh- 
ter of Nathaniel and Rebecca Henderson 
Emigrating westward in 1824, Thomas 
Cook took up his abode in Vermilion county, 
Illinois, \\here he resided until his death. 
Throughout the greater part of bis life he 
was a leading member of the Society of 
Friends and was noted for his many social 
and Christian virtues. His son, Zimri Cook, 
the father of our subject, was also a native 



882 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



of South Carolina and in youth 1)ccame a 
resident of Oliio. settling near Dayton. He 
afterward removed to Union county. In- 
(hana. and fmni there came to VenniUon 
county. Illinois. \\'hile in Ohio he married 
Elizaljeth l"homton, by whom he had six 
children, five sons and one daughter. They 
all died in this county. They were Enos, 
Henderson, Evarts, Thomas, Joshua and 
Ellen, the wife of .Arthur Jackson, a noted 
Methodist minister, who resided here for 
many years. 

Enos Cook was reared in the place of his 
nati\'ity until about nineteen years of age. 
Erom 1836 until 183S he lived in the coun- 
ties of Eayette, Henr\' and Wayne, Indiana, 
and then went to Iowa, spending several 
months in tra\-eling over that state. Later 
he returned to Wayne county, Indiana, 
where he followed the saddler's trade and af- 
terward carried on a similar business in 
Henry county. The fall of 1841 witnessed 
his arri\al in Vermilion county. Illinois, 
where he resided continuously until his 
death. He turned his attention to farming, 
which he fdllowed in connection with work 
at his trade for several years. In 1858. how- 
ever, he took up his abode in Georgetowai 
and there engaged in the saddlery liusiness 
throughout the ])eriod of the Civil war. In 
1868 he established a hotel in Georgetown, 
which he conducted until his death. It is 
the only hotel in the jjlace and was well 
patronized, because of the earnest efifort 
which he made to prt)vide for the comfort 
of his guests. 

Mr. Cook was married in Louisville, 
Henry county. Indiana, on the 3d of July, 
1839. to Melinda, daughter of Robert Har- 
ris. Unto them were torn three children : 
Benjamin F.. whose sketcli follows this; 
Sylvester J., who is living retired in George- 
town : and Emma, who died at an early age. 



her death being deeply deplored by all who 
knew her, because of her beautiful character. 
Hoth sons served as soldiers in the Union 
army, enlisting at the same time in Com- 
jianx' A, Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, in 
which the younger served out his time, while 
the elder brother was in active field service 
until \v(iunded at the battle of Nashville, 
on the 1 ith of December, 1864, after which 
he was detached and appointed judge 
advocate of court martial at Nashville, 
filling that position until 1866. The fa- 
ther was a strong supi)orter of the Union 
cause and the go\-ernment policy throughotit 
the i)eriod of the Civil war and cheerfully 
gave his only sons to the Union cause. He 
led a hfe of industry and of honor and. al- 
though he did not acquire wealth, he gained 
a comf(jrt;il)le cimipetence and maintained a 
rejiutation for straightforward dealing and 
for upright manhood, which is above wealth. 



BENJAMIN F. COOK. 

For more than a quarter of a century Ben- 
jannn F. Cook has been a representative of 
the legal profession at the Damille bar and 
has lung m.'iintained a place in the foremost 
ranks of this calling. With a nature that 
ciiuld never content itself with mediocrity 
and with a realization of the fact that at the 
bar ad\'ancement is had only through in- 
dividual merit, he has worked his way up- 
ward, haxing long since passed the many 
to stand among the successful few. 

Mr. Cook was born on the 3d of Febru- 
ary, 184!, in Greensboro, Indiana, and in 
his first year was brought by his parents, 
Mr. and Mrs. Enos Cook, to Vermilion 
county, the family settling in Georgetown. 
The father's sketch is piven alwve. At the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



883 



usual age Mr. Cook began his education, 
attending the pubHc schools and in early life 
he also learned the harness maker's trade 
with his father, but after the country had 
become involved in Civil war, arising 
through the tlitiferences of opinion brought 
on by the slavery cfuestion and the attempt 
of the south at secession, he put aside his 
business cares and personal interests that 
he might perform his dtity as a loyal son of 
the Union. Enlisting, he became a mem- 
ber of Company A, Twenty-fifth Illinois In- 
fantry, in 1863 and he participated in a 
number of important engagements, includ- 
ing the battle of Pea Ridge, Perryville. Stone 
River and Corinth. He was also in the bat- 
tle of Naslnille, on the nth of September, 
1864, at which time he was wovmded in the 
shoulder. In the meantime he had been ap- 
pointed by President Lincoln to the position 
of first lieutenant in the Twelfth L'nited 
States Colored troops and it was with that 
command that he went forth to take part in 
the engagement at Nashville. His injuries 
disabled him from further field service and 
he was thereupon detailed for court martial 
duty, being appointed the judge advocate, 
and until the close of the war he prosecuted 
claims and cases for the government before 
the several miJitarv' courts in the city of 
Nashville and that vicinity, being thus en- 
gaged until honorably discharged on the 
i6th of January, 1866. Mr. Cook remained 
in Nashville until the fall of 1869 and in 
the meantime he was there admitted to the 
bar, successfully passing an examination be- 
fore the judge of the circuit, the chancery 
and the criminal courts. In 1867 he was 
elected prosecuting attorney of Nashville 
and discharged his duties with such ability 
that he was re-elected, serving for two terms. 
He then determined to return to the north 
and in 1869 left Nashville. On the 17th of 



March, 1875, '^^ came to Danville and has 
since been an active representative of the 
legal profession in this place. The clientage 
accorded to him has been of an important 
and re])resentative character. He has made 
a specialty of acting as pension attorney and 
has presented many claims against the gov- 
ernment for his clients from Maine to Cali- 
fornia, being successful in a large number of 
these. Mr. Cook has also been connected 
with real estate dealing,. Ijuying and selling 
property, and has handled considerable valu- 
al)le realty here, wherein' he has materially 
increased his income. 

On the 2(1 of September, 1872, was per- 
formed the marriage ceremony of Benjamin 
F. Cook and Laura M. Lawrence, a daugh- 
ter of John and Eliza Lawrence, of George- 
town, Illinois. The hospitality of many of 
the best homes of this city is extended to 
them and they have a large circle of friends 
here. They belong to the Methodist Epis- 
copal church and Mr. Cook is identified with 
the Grand Army Post. In politics he is 
a Republican, but he has preferred to ab- 
stain from active part in political work in 
order to devote his entire attention to his 
professional duties. ' 



MRS. LINEA E. GOODNER. 

Mrs. Linea Elizabeth Goodner is well 
known in Ridgefarm, having for a consider- 
able period been a resident of this portion 
of \^ermilion comity. She was born Octo- 
ber I, 1866. in Jasper, Illinois, a daughter 
of George W. and Nancy (Gregson) Sand- 
ers, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, 
whence they removed to Jasper county, Illi- 
nois, soon after their marirage. There they 
remained for a number of vears and then 



884 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



came to X'eniiilion county, settling on a 
farm near Georgetown. Here the father 
died in 1875 and the mother afterward took 
iip her alxxle in Ridgefarm, wiiere her deatli 
occurred in 1SS5. Mrs. Goodner had four 
sisters : X'anetta ]^IcCorkle, who died leav- 
ing two children; ]\Irs. Rebecca Foster, of 
Danville, who has two children ; Mrs. Mary 
Gtiodner. of Ridgefarm, who has two chil- 
dren; and Airs. Alaggie Carson, of Ridge- 
farm, who has four children. 

Mrs. Goodner, whose name introduces 
this record, spent her girlhood days under 
the ])arental roof and. obtained her education 
in the public schools. She lived with her 
parents until she gave her li.and in marriage 
to John (joodner on the 13th of December, 
1887, when about twenty-one years of age. 
He was born near Georgetown in this county 
and his parents were natives of Germany, 
whence they came to America, settling in 
\'erniilion county at an early day. His 
familv became prominent in the community 
and Mr. Goodner was ever respected for 
his genuine worth. For a year after their 
marriage the young couple resided on the 
home farm and then removed to the \illage 
of Ridgefarm, where they lived happily until 
the 31st of May, 1891, when Mr. Goodner 
was called to his final rest, passing away 
from heart trouble. His remains were in- 
terred in J'ieasant Mound cemetery at 
Georgetown, and his death was the occasion 
of deep regret throughout the community. 
Mrs. Gootlner was thus left alone with the 
care of her two children, Charles Wesley 
and Cassius, aged respectively twelve and 
se\en years. . They are still with their 
mother, who is devoted to their welfare and 
happiness. }klr^. Goodner is an active and 
earnest member of the Christian church, 
takes a leading part in the Christian En- 
dea\-or Socictv and in Sunda\--school work. 



Her influence is ever on the side of moral 
progress and throughout the community 
where she has now resided for some vears 
she is held in the highest esteem. 



A. L. JOHNSON. 

A. L. Johnson is one of the progressive 
and wide-awake farmers and stock-raisers 
of Ross township, living on section 4, where 
he owns and operates two hundred and six- 
ty acres of valuable land, well improved with 
modern equipments. He was born in \'in- 
ton county, Ohio, January 21, 1844, and his 
father, Aliraham Johnson, was also a native 
of that locality, born in 1816. He came of 
German ancestry and wedded Matilda Pew- 
thers, a lady of Scotch descent, who was also 
a native of Ohio. To provide for his family 
he followed farming in Vinton county and 
there spent his entire life, his death result- 
ing from an accident in 1876. His wife had 
previotisly passed away, having been called 
to her final rest in 1873. In their family 
of five sons and two daughters A. L. John- 
son was the second in order of birth. The 
sons and one of the daughters are yet living 
in Ohio with the exception of him whose 
name iiitrciduces this review. 

A. L. Johnson was reared in the usual 
manner of farmer lads of the period. In 
the summer months he worked in field and 
meadow and during the winter seasons pur- 
sued his education in the common schools. 
After he was grown he began buying and 
shipi)ing stock and followed that pursuit for 
fifteen years. Later he engaged in the culti- 
vation of the old home farm and ultimately 
he determined to establish his residence in 
Illinois, coming to Vermilion county in 1879. 
He then purchased the farm upon which he 




A. L. JOHNSON. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



887 



now resides, took up his abode there and 
began to improve the place in 1883. He has 
since erected a large and substantial farm 
residence, good barns and other necessary 
outbuildings, has planted an orchard, has set 
out shade and ornamental trees, lias tiled 
and fenced his fields and has added all mod- 
ern machinery and equipments. He has a 
windmill and waterworks upon his place 
and the substantial improvements which are 
ever found upon a model farm. He has 
been engaged in raising and feeding stock 
\\hich he fattens for the market, shipping 
about three car-loads of cattle and two of 
hogs each year. 

On the 31st of May, 1866, in Vinton 
county, Ohio, Air. Johnson wedded Maiy 
Craig, a native of that county, and a daug'h- 
ter of William Craig. They had three chil- 
dren, but Addie C, the first born, died in 
her ninth year and Sophia died in 1894, at 
the age of twenty-two years. Clara M. is 
therefore the only surviving member of the 
family and lives with her parents on the 
home place in Ross township. The mother 
of these children died in 1893, and on the 
14th of Alay, 1895, ^Ii"- Johnson married 
Phebe Craig. 

Mr. Johnson cast his first presidential 
vote for General Hancock in 1868 and has 
since supported each candidate of the De- 
mocrac}^ for the office of chief executive of 
the nation. At local elections he votes in- 
dependently, regarding only the capability 
of the nominees. He has never been an 
office seeker himself, but was elected com- 
missioner of highways, by his fellow towns- 
men, who recognized his worth and loyalty. 
Ever a warm friend of education, he be- 
lieves in securing good schools and com- 
petent teachers, and for twelve years he did 
effective service in this direction. While 
acting as a member of the school board he 
35 



served as its secretary. He has served as 
a delegate to the numerous county and state 
conventions of his party. He and his wife 
and daughter are members of the Christian 
church of Pleasantview. He served for five 
years on the Ohio Christian conference as 
president, and after coming to Illinois he 
was elected without his knowledge as presi- 
dent of the Central Illinois Christian confer- 
ence, ha\ing served for nine years in thnt 
capacity. His life has been upright, his art- 
ions manly, sincere and unaffected, and his 
salient characteristics have been such as to 
win for him the confidence and good will of 
those with whom he has been associated. 



O. C. BENSON. 



O. C. Benson is the owner of a mill and 
elevator in Fairmount and is now conduct- 
ing an extensive and profitable business. He 
is one of the citizens of foreign birth who, 
believing that the new world offered superior 
advantages, came to America and utilizing 
the opportunities which have come to them, 
now occupy creditable and honorable posi- 
tions as leading representatives of the com- 
munities with which they have become iden- 
tified. Mr. Benson was born in Sweden, 
October 23, 1848. His father, Benjamin 
Olson, was likewise a native of that country, 
as was the mother of our subject who bore 
the maiden name of Kama Nelson. . They 
were married in Sweden and the father was 
well known there because of his musical 
skill, being a good performer on many in- 
struments and a leader of one of the national 
bands. He died in 1851 and his wife, long- 
surviving him, passed away in 1901. In 
their family were five children, of whom four 
are yet li\-ing, but Eleanor died in Sweden. 



888 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



The otiiers are: Johanna, tlie wife of Nelse 
Hanson, of Sweden ; Bengta, the wife of 
John Chrislianson, of Fairmount; O. C, of 
this review; and Mary, who is married and 
resides in Sweden. 

O. C. Benson attended school to a limited 
extent in his native country, but at the age 
of fourteen he put aside his text books and 
began earning his own living. He lost his 
father when only three years of age, and it 
was therefore necessary that he provide for 
his support in early youth. He first secured 
employment in a mill at Molmer, Sweden, 
where he remained until he was twenty-five 
years of age, in the meantime winning pro- 
juotion until he had become head miller and 
manager. In the year 1873 he crossed the 
Atlantic to America, landing in \ew York, 
Init he did not tarry long in the eastern 
metropolis, making his way at once to Dan- 
ville, Illinois, in company with a companion, 
Andrew Anderson, wdio had been visiting 
in Sweden and had induced our subject to 
seek a home in the United States. He be- 
gan working for I\I. M. Wright, and his 
close ajiplication and his capability caused 
him to be retained in Mr. Wright's service 
for five years. In 1883 he came to Fair- 
mount where he purchased the John Dough- 
ertv flour mill. This he conducted until 
1896 when it was destroyed by fire, but with 
characteristic energy he erected his present 
mill. His elevator was not burned, and he has 
both the mill and elevator at this place, also 
a mill and elevator in Catlin, Illinois. Both 
are large plants and his business is fast 
reaching mammoth proportions. He han- 
dles a large amount of grain annually and 
also conducts an extensive milling business, 
his products finding a ready sale upon the 
market because of the excellence of the 
quality. 

In the citv of Danville Mr. Benson was 



united in marriage to Miss Matilda Ellison, 
who was born in Sweden, October 15, 1846. 
Her parents lived and died in that country 
and she has one sister who is yet living in 
Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Benson have 
three children still living: Alvina, born 
June 22, 1879; Fnfily, February 5, 1882; 
and Lilly, September 24, 1885. Clarence, 
born August 10, 1887, died when four- 
teen months old. ^Ir. Benson owns a 
g<xjd home ami other city property in Fair- 
nmunt. In politics he is independent, with- 
out partisan bias, his support being given to 
the measures which he believes are best cal- 
culated to promote the public welfare and 
to advance local progress. He holds mem- 
bership relations with the Modem Wood- 
men of America and he is a member of the 
Baptist church. Mr. Benson has never had 
occasion to regret his determination to come 
to America, for, utilizing the opportunities 
of the new world he has progressed in busi- 
ness until he is now the possessor of a very 
handsome competence, and he has, moreover, 
gained a good home and the regard of many 
friends. 



AUGUSTINE R. CLAPL. 

The history of Vermilion county would 
not be complete without mention of Augus- 
tine Clapp, Sr., one of its few remaining early 
pioneer settlers, now residing on the old 
homestead on section 9, Newell township. 
Mr. Clapp was born in (luilford county, 
North Carolina, September 28, 1S14, in the 
Clapp neighborhood, close to Greensboro and 
about one mile from the old Clapp church, 
which is a brick structure. He is a son of 
Isaac and Catherine Clapp, the latter in her 
maidenhood having also borne the name of 
Clapp. They were both of German extrac- 
tion and natives of North Carolina. Angus- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD" 



889 



tine Clapp is tlie eldest of a family of nine 
children, the others li\'ing- being : Manuel, a 
resident of North Carolina; Isaac, who re- 
sides in Cherryvale, Kansas; and George A, 
Clapp, of Nebraska, and Catherine in North 
Carolina. 

Augustine Clapp with his wife and 
two children came from North Carolina to 
Illinois in a covered wagon drawn by a 
span of gray horses which he prized xevy 
much. He started on his journey April 13, 
1 84 1, and was on the road until May 10, 
arriving and settling in Newell township, 
where Newell station now stands. ?Ie set- 
tled upon the south forty acres of that loca- 
tion. On arriving" there he purchased seven- 
ty acres of land, that was partly broken, from 
the heirs of an estate, paying them forty dol- 
lars each for their interests. He later pur- 
chased his present place, a farm of eighty 
acres which he bought at six dollars per 
acre, and immediately began the work of 
improvement, placing the tract under a high 
state of cultivation. Like many of the early 
settlers he found the country new and wild. 
Prairie wolves were numerous and wild 
game of all kinds was plentiful. Hunting 
in those days was, to use his own expression, 
"a treat." The deer ran through the corn- 
fields of the place and geese, brant, ducks, 
prairie chickens and plover were within easy 
reach of the marksman. Danville was the 
nearest trading point. ■ Besides being en- 
gaged in farming Mr. Clapp learned the car- 
penter's trade which he followed for years. 
He has seen the wonderful transformation 
which has taken place in Vermilion county 
and has helped to build the churches and 
schools of his district. He was united in 
marriage to Elizabeth Clapp, who in mar- 
riage did not change her jrame. She was 
born in Orange county, North Carolina, No- 
^•emlJer 24, 1809, and is now deceased. She 



was a daughter of John and Catherine 
(Starr) Clapp, of North Carolina. She died 
Iea\-ing a family of nine children and a hus- 
band to mourn her loss. The family record 
is as follows : John Clapp, a minister of the 
gospel, resides in Newell township. For his 
first wife he chose Emily Knox, and after 
her death he was married to Mrs. Cox, a 
widow, and a daughter of Joseph Blair, of 
Vermilion county. The second member of 
the family, Catherine E., died April 5. 1842. 
Alfred died August 8, 184S. George A. 
resides in Crawford county, Illinois. He 
married Mattie Cox and they have four chil- 
dren. Isaac S. married Mary Knott and re- 
sides in Newell township. They are the 
parents of ten children, five of whom are 
yet living. Augustine R. is the sixth mem- 
ber of the family. Barbara Jane married 
C. B. Williamson and departed this life leav- 
ing one child, Minta, who lives with her 
father, in Ohio. She had one sister. Bertha, 
who died previous to the death of her 
mother. Mr. and Mrs. Clapp were mem- 
bers of the Christian church of which he 
has been a trustee. He helped build the 
church known as Pleasantview. In his 
political views he was first a Whig and after 
the organization of the Republican party he 
became a stanch advocate of its principles 
and is very proud to be numbered as a 
member of the party which he thinks 
embraces the best form of government. 
He has been a voter for many years, be- 
ing now eighty-eight years of age. He 
has taken an active part in public affairs, 
having filled the oftices of school and dis- 
trict treasurer, township trustee and town- 
ship supervisor. He also served as town 
clerk for a number of years and one year as 
assessor. His life has ever Ijeen worthy of 
the respect and confidence of his fellow citi- 
zens, which he has enjoyed in a high degree. 



890 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Augustine R. Clapp is the sixth in order 
of birth in his fallier's family. He was Ijorn 
on the old home place in Xewell township, 
December 23. 1849. He received his early 
education in the district schools, working on 
the home farm in the summer seasons and 
attending school during the winter. He, 
too, has been an active factor in the growth 
and development of this county, and to his 
efforts is largely due the present high state 
of cultivation of the farm which he occupies. 
He and his f;ither ha\e labored together to 
make their farm producti\e and attractive, 
and from all care and labor on the place. 
He now relieves his worthy and honored 
father who retains his faculties in a remark- 
able degree. 

On the 22d of October, 1874, Augustine 
R. Clapp was united in marriage to Miss 
Phoebe Seymour, who was Ijorn in Vermil- 
ion county, November 2, 1855. She is a 
daughter of Hutton and Eveline (Allen) 
Sejmour. This marriage has been blessed 
with two children, Edward and Elizabeth 
Eveline, both living at home. Edward as- 
sists his father in the work of the farm, 
which is \ery valuable and yields about 
thirty-five bushels of corn and thirty bushels 
of oats to the acre. Augustine R. Clapp is, 
like his father, a stanch Republican and has 
long been recognized as one of the standard 
bearers of the party. He has long been as- 
sociated with the progress and improvement 
made in the county, and is very proud of its 
material, moral and intellectual ad\ancement 
toward which he has ablv contributed. 



JOHX \V, O'HAVER, ^I. D, 

Eor twenty years Dr. (J'llaxcr has prac- 
ticed his profession in Danxille with marked 
success and to-day he has a very large pat- 
ronage, which indicates his high standing in 



the ranks of the medical profession. He was 
born near Pleasantville, Indiana, February 
1 1, 1859, and comes of a family of German 
lineage, the ancestry being traced back to a 
\ery early date. About 1728 Christopher 
Joseph Hifer was born in Prussia. He was 
of the great industrial and professional class 
of the f;itherl;ind and he and his brother 
Cornelius pursued a seven years' course, in 
medicine and surgery, after which they went 
to Ireland, where they won such success and 
distinction that the prefi.K "O" was placed 
before their names and they were then called 
O'Hifer. When the Catholic persecution 
began they went to England, but not liking 
that country returned to Germany, where 
both pursued another seven years' course in 
medicine and surgery. They then emigrat- 
ed to the new world, settling in Virginia, 
where they were married. Dr. Christopher 
J. O'Hifer became a resident of Tennessee 
in 1760, and there Joseph O'Haver, the 
grandfather of our subject, \\as born in 
1766. liy a happy turn of affairs Joseph 
O'Haver married the daughter of a sister of 
Frederick the Great. She was a wonderful 
singer, possessing musical talent of the high- 
est order. 

When the brothers came to America the 
family name of O'Hifer was changed to 
O'Haver, and that spelling has since been 
retained. The great-grandfather was very 
celebrated in his profession and cured every 
case of cancer and other tumorous disease 
that was brought to him. His patients came 
fr(jm many states, over a railius of hundreds 
of miles. Among his de.scendents are many 
who have gained distinction in professional 
lines, including physicians, teachers and min- 
isters of the gospel. 

Pleasant Miller O'Haver, the father of 
Dr. O'Haver, of Danville, became a resi- 
dent of Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1819, 




JOHN W. O'HAVER. M. D. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



893 



and there as the resuh of his industry and 
enterprise 1:iecame the owner of fifteen hun- 
dred acres of land. He also huilt the hest 
flouring mill which had heen erected in the 
county up to that date. In puhlic aft'airs 
he was very prominent and influential. He 
served as justice of the peace, was a leader 
in church and Sunday-school work, served 
as a trustee in the church and as a leader 
in the Sunday-school. By his first 
marriage he had twelve children, of whom 
ten are living. His eldest son. Rev. W. P. 
O'Haver, is an elder in the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. For his second wife P. M. 
O'Haver married Cynthia Ann Hinkle, and 
of this marriage the Doctor and seven other 
children were born. Her father was Philip 
Hinkle and her grandfather Wondall Hin- 
kle, one of the pioneers of Indiana. In the 
Hinkle family were also many worthy 
preachers and teachers. P. M. O'Haver fol- 
lowed farming in Indiana until called to his 
final rest. He is survived by two children 
of the first marriage, Rev. \V. P. O'Haver, 
of Bloomfield, Indiana ; and Mrs. Harriet 
S. Edwards, a resident of Freelandsville. In- 
diana. The children born of the second mar- 
riage are: Thomas B., of Pleasantville; 
Martha M., the wife of Jesse H. Fleming, 
of Marco, Indiana; Charles J., a resident of 
Keuka. Florida; R. S., of Lyons, Indiana; 
and Grace, the widow of Shannon Ogg, and 
a resident of Bloomington, Indiana. 

Dr. O'Haver pursued his early educa- 
tion in Greene and Sullivan counties of In- 
diana, leaving the district schools at an early 
age. He then began work with his father 
in the mill and gained much practical knowl- 
edge of both engineering and agricultural 
pursuits. For a few years he had full charge 
of the machinery of the mill, serving as en- 
gineer for four or five years. This occupa- 
tion continued to claim his attention until 



1879, when, desiring to become a member 
of the medical profession, he de\-oted three 
years to the mastery of the principles of the 
science and was graduated with high honors 
in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and 
Surgery in the spring of 1882. He also re- 
ceived a fine set of instruments as the first 
prize for winning the highest scholarship in 
the college on the diseases of women and 
children, and his great skill along those lines 
and in other branches of his profession has 
always enabled him to maintain a foremost 
place in the ranks of the medical fraternity 
in Danxille. Opening an ofiice in Dan\'ille 
his practice has steadily grown until it has 
reached extensi\e proportions, covering a 
large part of the county. He belongs to the 
Tri-County Medical Society and the Vermil- 
ion County Medical Society, the State Med- 
ical .Society, and the National Medical So- 
ciety, and has been on the staff of both of 
the hospitals of Danville for a number of 
years. He was also one of the founders of 
the training school for nurses and served on 
its staff for five years. \\'hile he engages in 
general practice 'he makes a specialty of the 
diseases of women and children and in this 
branch has been extremely successful. 

Dr. O'Haver first wedded Mary M. Mc- 
Connell, a native of Indiana, and a daughter 
of William McConnell, who was of Irish de- 
scent, and of Sarah (Dyer) jMcConnell, a 
native of Owen county, Indiana. Mrs. 
O'Haver died August 3, 1899, She was a 
devout Christian woman, holding mem- 
bership in the Kimber Methodist Epis- 
copal church, and she belonged to the 
Court of Plonor and the Home Forum. On 
the 1 2th of November, 1902, the Doctor 
married Miss Peninah Ann Jones, a native of 
this county, and a daughter of C. E. Jones, 
who was a pioneer of the county and now a 
farmer of Vance township, living near Fair- 



894 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



mount. Mrs. O'Haver is a member of the 
Baptist cliurcli of Fairmount. 

The Doctor is medical examiner for a 
number of insurance societies and for a num- 
ber of fraternal organizations, including the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the 
Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal 
Circle and the Court of Honor. In all of 
these he holds membership and is likewise 
a member of the Kimber Methodist Episco- 
jjal church, with which he lias been identi- 
fied since 1882, while his membership rela- 
tion with the denomination dates from the 
time \\ hen he was fourteen years of age. He 
views political questions from a Republican 
standpoint, haxing always given his support 
to that ])arty, and in 1900 he was elected in 
the fourth ward to the city council and re- 
elected in 1902 for another term of two 
years. He has served on some of the most 
important committees, is chairman of the 
committee on health, and a meml)er of the 
ordinance and sewer committees. The 
council is now preparing to build the Car- 
negie library, which will be a handsome 
structure, erected at a cost of forty thou- 
sand dollars, the city furnishing the site. 
The Doctor is a man whose prominence is 
not the less the result of an irre])ri)acliable 
private life than of professional skill and 
ability. The world instinctively pays defer- 
ence to the man whose success has been 
worthil\- achiexx'd and Ijecausc of this Dr. 
O'Haver is occupying an enviable position 
in tlie regard of those by whom he is known. 



GEORGE F. MEXIG. 

T'rominent as a representative of in- 
dustrial interests of Danville stands George 
F. Menig, the superintendent and secretary 
of the Danville Woolen Mills. This is an 



enterprise of importance, contributing in no 
snvill degree to the commercial prosperity 
of the city. It has been said that the man 
who each week pays a large force of w(jrk- 
men over his counter is more deserving of 
the gratitude of his race than is the general 
who leads his hosts forth to battle, lor he 
.supplies h.is fellow men with the means of 
preserving life instead of destroying it and 
enables them to become self-supporting, 
self-reliant and self-respecting citizens. Mr. 
Menig may tlierefore be classed among the 
important factors in business life in Danville 
where from his boyhood days he has lived a 
life of industry and enterprise that has found 
its culmination in the successful control of 
an important industry. 

A nati\-e of Edgerton, Ohio, he was born 
August 6, 1870, and is a son of Ferdinand 
Menig, a native of Germany. His paternal 
grandfather, George F. Menig, spent his en- 
tire life in tiermany, but the father of our 
subject came to America in 1852, crossing 
the Atlantic to Xew York city, where he 
tirst located. There he learned the baker's 
trade and followed that })ursuit tVir several 
years or until the Ci\-il war l)roke out, when, 
loyal to his adopted land, he joined the Union 
army and ser\-cd throughout the period of 
hostilities, .\fter the war was over he went 
to Edgerton, (jhio, where he engaged in the 
manufacture of barrel staves, shipping his 
])roduct to Cleveland. Subsec|uently he 
turned his attention to general merchandis- 
ing, which he followed in Edgerton for a 
few years. He afterward entered into part- 
nership with George Kerr, in the establish- 
ment of a woolen mill and continued in that 
business for five years or until I'ebruary, 
1878, when lie came to D.'uuille and fiuinded 
the Danxille Woolen Mills, which have since 
l)een conducted with success, the scope of 
their business being continually increased. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



895 



while the output of the factory grows from 
year to year. 

Mr. Menig was united in marriage to 
Miss ]\Iary Shean, of Worcester, Massachu- 
setts, and unto them liave been born eleven 
children, as follows : Margaret, who is now 
in the convent in Notre Dame, Indiana; 
Mary, the wife of Thomas Brown, who is 
employed as a bookkeeper in the Second Na- 
tional Bank, of Danville ; George F., of this 
review ; Gertrude, the wife of William Hoot- 
en, of Danville; Ursula, who is a bookkeeper 
in the Danville Woolen Mills and in the 
merchandise stores owned by her father and 
brother; Frank, who is employed as a clerk 
in a grocery store owned by the firm ; Nellie, 
who is clerking in the dry-goods depart- 
ment ; Gustavus, who is also acting as a 
clerk; Bertha, at home; and two who died 
in childhood. 

The children were provided with good 
educational privileges in the schools of Dan- 
ville and of Loretta, Ohio. Mr. ]\Ienig of 
this review was but eight years of age when 
brought by his parents to Danville. Here 
he studied in the public schools for a time 
and afterward entered a college of Notre 
Dame, Indiana. On completing his educa- 
tion he joined his father in business and is 
to-day the superintendent and secretary of 
the Danville Woolen Mills, incorporated. 
The plant is located at No. 220 Log'an 
avenue and is one of the largest manufactur- 
ing plants of the city. They make all kinds 
of woolen goods. The mill was erected 
about 1850 and was conducted by the firm 
of Hobson & Ellsworth. It was then an 
old frame structure, operated by water 
power. That firm continued as owners for 
several years and then sold out to Ferdinand 
Hanke, who also conducted the business for 
several years. The next owner was S. H. 
Riggs, who continued in charge for some 



time, when Ferdinand J\lenig purchased a 
half interest in the business, entering into 
partnership with Mr. Riggs, in a business 
connection that maintained for about eight 
or ten years, when Mr. Menig purchased 
his partner's interest and became the sole 
owner. In 1890 the business was incor- 
porated with Ferdinand Menig as the presi- 
dent of the company and George F. Menig 
as Ihe superintendent and secretary. They 
now employ about one hundred hands and 
manufacture all kinds of woolen goods 
mostly for the eastern trade. They also do 
a great deal of work for the government, 
making woolen cloths of different kinds. In 
connection with the woolen mills the firm 
also owns and conducts a grocery store and 
dry-goods store, located on Logan avenue 
near the mills, handling everything in this 
line and en ji tying a large trade, which has 
now assumed profitable proportions. Both 
father and siin de\oted their entire time to 
the business, which makes heavy demands 
upon their attention, owing to the volume 
of their trade in both the manufacturing and 
mercantile departments. Neither have held 
offices in the city or county, nor have they 
desired political preferment of any kind. 
They are recognized as reliable and enter- 
prising business men, accurate in trade trans- 
actions and with business sagacity which 
enables them to recognize possibilities. The 
father owns a beautiful residence at No. 222 
Logan avenue located near the stores and 
mill. 

George F. Menig was united in marriage 
to Miss Lucy T- ^lathias, of Chicago, and 
thev now have an interesting little daughter, 
Lucile. Their home is at No. 422 Oak 
street, where they have a nice residence. Mr. 
Menig votes with the Republican party and 
socially is identified with the Elks Lodge at 
Danville. He and his familv are all con- 



896 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



nected with St. Patrick's Catholic church of 
this cit\'. Mr. Menig is a man of enterprise, 
positive character, indomitaljle energv. strict 
integrity and liheral \ie\vs and has been fully 
identified with the growth and prosperity 
<<\ the city of liis adoption, while at the same 
time he has ciintrollcd ini]jnrtanl business 
interests. In the world of trade the name 
of Menig is well known and through the 
marked industry and enterprise of the own- 
ers of the Danville Woolen Mills they ha\e 
become men of affluence in this citv. 



J. L. MXLEY, M. D. 

Among the }-oung men of \'ermi!ion 
county who have attained distinction in busi- 
ness and professional ranks is Dr. J. L. Fin- 
ley, who, although not yet thirty years of 
age, has gained success as a member of the 
medical fraternity that many an older physi- 
cian might well envy. He was the second 
and only son in a family of three children. 
His parents were natives of New England 
and from \'ermont removed to southern In- 
diana, where they are still living, the father 
devoting his attention to the practice of 
medicine. He is a capable and successful 
physician and is widely and favorably known 
in the localit}- where he resides. 

Tlie Doctor was liorn in 1874 and early 
in life enjoyed good educational privileges 
which he improved until he had completed 
the high school course by graduation when 
seventeen years of age. Then thinking to 
follow in the professional footsteps of his 
father, he read medicine with him and later 
became a student of the University of Ken- 
tucky, at Louisxille, completing the course 
in the medical (le]>artment with the class of 
1896 and ranking high among his ninety- 
six classmates. 



In the previous year the Doctor was 
united in marriage to Miss Nannie Richards, 
of Fredericksburg, Indiana, and after his 
graduation he removed to Collington, Illi- 
nois, where he began i)ractice, quickly gain- 
ing a fair patronage. He has the confidence 
of the public by reason of his thorough and 
accurate understanding of the principles of 
medical science and his correct application 
thereof to the needs of suffering humanitv. 
He reads broadly, thinks deeply, works 
earnestly, and thus is meeting with success. 

L'nto Dr. and J^Jrs. Finley has been Ijorn 
one son, j. Keith, three years of age. So- 
cially the Doctor is connected through mem- 
Ijersliip relations with the Odd Fellows, the 
Knights of Pythias and the Modem Wood- 
men of America and in tliese he has held 
many offices. He belongs to the Methodist 
church and in his political views is a strong 
Republican, but has ne\er sought or desired 
office, preferring to give his entire time and 
attention to his professional duties. He be- 
longs to the County and State Medical So- 
cieties and is also a member of the American 
Medical Association. 



PROSPER LESEURE. 

Few men were as widely known or as sin- 
cerely mourned as Prosper Leseure. who 
I)assed away November 23, 1897, while vis- 
iting his children in Danville. He was born 
on the 26th of May, 1820. in Xancy, iM-ance, 
a son of Pierre and .\nne Eeseure, also na- 
tives of the same place. When Prosper Le- 
seure had reached the age of ten years his 
father, accompanied by the family, emi- 
grated to America, locating in Phila(leli)hia, 
where he remained for a short time. Later 
he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and subse- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



S97 



quently to an estate in soutliern Indiana, 
where he hved the life of a country gentle- 
man. It was on this estate that the children 
grew to manhood or womanhood and ac- 
quired their English education. \Mien yet 
a young man Prosper Leseure came to Dan- 
ville, soon to be joined by his brother, and 
together, under the firm name of V. & P. 
Leseure, they established a large general 
mercantile store, which they carried on for 
many years with niarkeil success, theirs be- 
coming one of the leading enterprises of the 
kind in the city. In 1867, howex'er, this 
partnership was dissolved, and for a time 
Prosper Leseure was not engaged in any 
business. Later, in connection with George 
Yeomans, he operated a large lumber busi- 
ness but eventually disposed of his interests 
to his son-in-law, J. G. Shedd. In 1883 
Mr. Leseure, together with several others, 
organized the State Bank, of which he was 
vice president for a number of years, retir- 
ing from active business in 1889. In the 
spring of 1892 he removed to California, 
living retired in 'Los Angeles. 

Prosper Leseure was twice married. To 
the first union three chiklren were born, of 
whom two are yet living: Helen L., the 
widow of J. G. Shedd, who was the superin- 
tendent of schools in Danville for many 
years : and Oscar, who is a prominent sur- 
geon of Detroit, Michigan. His wife hav- 
ing died in 1858, Mr. Leseure w'as again 
married, in 1863, to Miss Harriet Crane, of 
Danville. One child was born to them, 
Ernest X. Leseure, the president of the Dan- 
ville National Bank. 

As a politician Prosper Leseure was little 
known, but in charitable and philanthropic 
work many have cause to remember him. 
He was unostentatious in his giving and it 
could be truthfully said of him that his right 
hand knew not what his left hand did. An 



earnest Christian worker, he was for a long 
period a moving spirit in the Presbyterian 
church. He died leaving to his children a 
precious legacy — the heritage of a good 
name. 



WALTER R. WTLSON, M. D. 

Dr. Walter R. Wilson, of Hoopeston, is 
a natix-e of Oneida county. New York, born 
on the 20th of February, 1852, and comes 
of an old New England family. His father, 
Otis E. Wilson, was a native of Massachu- 
setts, while the mother, who bore the maiden 
name of Mary Matthews, was born in New 
^'ork and in the Empire state they were 
married. The father was a farmer in early 
life ixn\ later devoted his attention to gen- 
eral merchandising in East Lynn, Illinois. 
There he died in 1894, but his wife still sur- 
\ives and is now a resident of Hoopeston. 
in th'^u- family were the following children: 
Mrs. Hattie Elliott, of Hoopeston; Mrs. Dr. 
Fallis, of Danville; Mrs. Frank Hall, of 
Hoopeston ; and the Doctor. 

When only two years of age Dr. Wil- 
son was taken by his parents to Kendall 
county, Illinois, and thence the family 
removed to Kankakee county about 1858. 
He was reared upon the home farm 
until nineteen years of age, making his 
home in Kankakee county until his re- 
moval whh his parents to Hoopeston, in 
1877. His early education was acquired in 
the public schools and for six months he was 
a student in Kankakee Seminary. Later he 
went to Chicago, Illinois, and entered upon 
;. course of study that could prepare him for 
the practice of medicine and after the com- 
pletion of the regular course he was gradu- 
ated in Flahnemann Medical College with 
the class of 1877. He had previously studied 



898 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



with Dr. Campbell, of Wilming^ton, Illinois. 
AVel! equipped for his cliDsen work, he 
located in Hoopeston, in I'ebruary, 1877, on 
leaving Hahnemann College, and has since 
made his home here. He received an hon- 
orary degree from the Chicago Homeopathic 
College in 1878. As a general practitioner 
of medicine and surgery he has displayed 
marked ability, showing that he is well 
equipped to successfully cope with the in- 
tricate problems which continually face the 
physician. He has a thorough knowledge of 
analomy and keen insight into the ravages 
made by disease or cast upon people as a 
legacy by progenitors. In the administra- 
tion of remedial agencies he has been most 
successful and to-day he stands among the 
leading representatives of a profession which 
by many is given the highest rank among 
all the lines of activity to which man can 
de\()te his energies. The Doctor has recent- 
ly added an X-ray machine to his office. He 
has all of the modern appliances for the suc- 
cessful treatment of disease and for surgical 
work. His ])racticc extends over a wide 
territory and comes from many of the best 
families in this portion of the state, but al- 
though it makes heavy demands upon his 
time he is also C(jntrolling and superintend- 
ing his valuable farm of two hundred acres 
in Iroquois county. This farm is well 
stocked and is now the home of his son. In 
addition to his labor the Doctor hires farm 
bands to assist in the w'ork of the place. 
For about twelve years he was in the drug 
business which he carried on in connection 
with his practice. In this enterprise he was 
associated with S. A. Kennedy and W. H. 
Elliott, but about 1896 he disposed of his 
drug interests. 

In Floopeston, in October, 1877, was cel- 
ebrated the marriage of Dr. Wilson and Miss 
Anna C. Muirhead, a daughter of Rev. 



James ]\I. ^Fuiriiead, who was a minister 
of the Methodist i'^piscopal church, largely 
preaching in central Illinois. He died in the 
year 1892, but the influence of his noble 
life remain as a blessed benediction to those 
who knew him. His wife, who in her mai- 
denhood was Mary Blackstock. is now liv- 
ing in Champaign county, Illinois. L'nto 
the Doctor and his wife have been born two 
sons and a daughter, the latter being .Mice 
May, the wife of Ernest Bishop, of Hoopes- 
ton. Illinois. Robert E. is a graduate of the 
Chicago Homeopathic College, of the class 
of 190J, \\hile Clarence J. is an enterprising 
farmer. The elder .son was a member of 
Battery A, of Danville, during the Spanish- 
American war and served at Porto Rico. 
Clarence resides in Iroquois county, Illinois, 
operating his father's farm of two hundred 
acres. The Doctor is quite prominent in 
Masonry, belonging to the blue lodge and 
chapter, and in the latter he has served as 
a high priest for several years. He belongs 
to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, to the 
Modern Woodmen of .\merica and the 
Royal Circle, and in the last two he is the 
medical e.xaniiner. He was reared in the 
faith of the Methodist church and has long 
been one of its earnest members. Formerly 
he ser\'ed as its Sunday-school superintend- 
ent. He has taken quite an active interest in 
its work, contributing most lihcr.nlly to its 
support. In his political affiliations the 
Doctor is a Republican and for two years he 
served as mayor of Hooj)eston, while for 
si.x years he was one of the aldermen of the 
city. He owns a two-story brick building in 
this town, the lower fToor being occupied by 
Elliott's drug store, while the upper story 
is occupied as a residence by the Doctor and 
his family. He is a memljcr of the State 
Homeopathic Association and reading, 
study and iiu'estigation are continually 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



899 



broadening his knowledge to an extent that 
makes liim one of the best informed mem- 
bers of the medical fraternity in this part 
of the state. His practice has assumed ex- 
tensive and profitable proportions and this 
success is merited because of his close appli- 
cation and his deep interest in the work. 



THEODORE B. REDMOND, M. D. 

On the roll of physicians in Vermilion 
county appears the name of Dr. Theodore 
B. Redmond, who has attained considerable 
distinction in his chosen field of labor. He 
resides in Vermilion Heights, a suburb of 
Danville, where he has a large practice, and 
moreover he is not only entitled to distinc- 
tion of mention in this volume as a repre- 
sentative of professional life but also as a 
representative of a prominent pioneer family 
of the county. 

He was born in Salem, Washington 
county, Indiana, November i, 1846, and is 
a son of William H. and Elizabeth (Boul- 
ton) Redmond. The father was born in 
Floyd county, Indiana, about 1820, and his 
wife was born near Louisville, Kentucky, 
about 3,824. She was there reared and edu- 
cated, havii/g good school privileges, and in 
Washington county, Indiana, she gave her 
hand in marriage to Mr. Redmond. During 
the early part of his life the father resided 
near New Albany, Indiana, where he learned 
and followed the tailor's trade, carrying on 
business there until 1848, when he came to 
Vermilion county, Illinois, settling at 
Georgetown. At an early day he served as 
postmaster there and was a well known and 
influential citizen. He worked at the tailor's 
trade until his death, which occurred in 
1877, and his wife passed away upon a farm 



in Danville township, in 1885. She was a 
lady of superior culture and of literary taste 
and ability. She read Iiroadly, became ex- 
tremely well informed and was justly re- 
garded as the most literary woman of 
Georgetown. Writing was. to her a pleasure 
and in an early day she was the correspond- 
ent from Georgetown to all the leading 
papers of this part of the state. She also 
possessed considerable poetical talent and 
contributed a number of poems as well as 
prose productions to periodicals, including 
both newspapers and magazines. She wrote 
for the papers under the non de plume of 
Lizzie and her productions were eagerly 
reatl. She had a very wide acquaintance not 
onl}- in this county but also in eastern Illi- 
nois and Indiana and the public passed 
favorable judgment upon her literary and 
poetical powers. She is survived by two 
sons, the Doctor and John G., who resides 
upon a farm near Catlin. 

In the public schools near his home Dr. 
Redmond obtained his preliminary educa- 
tion, which was supplemented by study in 
the Georgetown Seminary, at Georgetown, 
this county, after which he spent one term 
as a student in the State University at Nor- 
mal, Illinois. Returning to Vermilion coun- 
tv he then began teaching in the countiy 
schools near Georgetown. In 1868 he went 
to that place and took up the study of medi- 
cine in the office and under the direction of 
Dr. Kimbrough, with whom he studied for 
two years. He then began practice in Paler- 
mo, Illinois, where he continued for a year, 
going thence to Parke county, Indiana, 
where he practiced for three years. Feeling 
that his medical education was not complete, 
howe\'er, he next went to Indianapolis and 
matriculated in the Indiana Medical College 
in which he was graduated with the class of 
1875. receiving his diploma. At the gradua- 



900 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



tion exercises he delivered an essay upon 
zymosis and was accorded the first prize. 
] le rctiuMied tiien U) I'arke counly. wlicre he 
remained in practice until 1882. co\ering a 
period oi ten years altogether in that county. 

On the 26th of December, 1872, the 
Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
Ellen KichnKind. a native of Parke county, 
and a daughter of Return J. and Mary (Mil- 
ler) Richmdud, hut the latter is now de- 
ceased. Her father, however, is still living. 
He was an extensive farmer of Parke coun- 
ty, but has now retired from business cares 
and fur the past eighteen years has resided 
with his daughter and the Doctor. j\lrs. 
Redmond is one of a large family and has 
three brothers and one sister yet living. All 
have married and have families of their own. 
and are now residents of Indiana. Mrs. 
Redmond was educated in her native county 
and is a most estimable lady. She belongs 
to the Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union of Danville and her influence is ever 
given in behalf of measures intended for the 
uplifting of humanity. By her marriage she 
Liecame the mother of one child : Idelle, who 
is the wife of Harry Gilliland. a contractor 
and builder, who resides at Vermilion 
Heights and is actively connected with the 
improvement of that portion of Danville. 
They lia\-e two children, Rosalie and a baby 
boy. 

In' the year 1882 Dr. Redmond returned 
with his family from Indiana to Vermilion 
count)- and ])urchased a small farm in Dan- 
ville township, whereon he took up his resi- 
<lence. and while supervising its im])rove- 
ment he also continued in the practice of 
medicine. There he remained until Decem- 
ber, 1900, when he removed to the city, es- 
tablishing his home at Vermilion Heights, 
where he erected a nice residence and office 
at the corner of Second street and \\'arring- 



ton avenue. He has been very successful, 
in fact his professional duties make such 
!iea\y demands upon his time th;it it leaves 
him little ojiportunily for social enjoyment. 
He is, however, a zealous student who has 
a deep interest in his profession from the 
scientific and from the humanitarian stand- 
point. His capability in coping with disease 
in its many intricate 'forms has been the 
means of gaining for him a very large pat- 
ronage a:id in consequence a good annual in- 
come. Jn early life the Doctor was an advo- 
cate of the Democracy but is now a stanch 
Republican, believing firmly in the principles 
of the latter party. He belongs to the Odd 
Fellows Lodge at Danville and both he and 
his wife are members of the Christian 

church. 

• ' » 

ClIAULLS E. ELLSWORTH. 

.\lthough comparatively a young man 
at the time of his death Charles E. Ells- 
worth had already attained a prominent pos- 
ition in public affairs and was a recognized 
leader in ])oIitical and social circles of \^er- 
milion county. His business relations 
brought him in connection with many of 
the citizens of Danville and the surrounding 
districts, all of whom respected him for his 
genuine worth, for his loyaltv in citizenship 
and his fidelity to every trust reposed in 
him. 

Mr. Ellsworth was born near Spring- 
field, in Clark county. Ohio. June 11, 1868, 
and was a son of Jacob and Sarah J. (Bire- 
ley) Ellsworth, who were also natives of the 
Buckeye state. On the paternal side he was 
descended from an old New England fam- 
ily, his great-grandfather, Jacob Ellsworth, 
having been born in New England. His 
grandfather was Willi;un hlllswortli. who 




C. E. ELLSWORTH. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



903 



resided in Ohio for many years. The ma- 
ternal grandfather of our subject was Lewis 
Bireley, who Hved and died in Ohio, passing 
away at the advanced age of eighty-five 
years. His wife bore the maiden name of 
Sarah Shank. The Shanks were originahy 
from Pennsylvania but the branch of the 
family to which she belonged lived in Mary- 
land. Jacob Ellsworth, the father of our 
subject, spent his entire life in Ohio and fol- 
lowed the profession of teaching, thus aid- 
ing largely in the intellectual development 
of the various communities with which he 
was connected. At the time of the Civil 
war he joined the Union army, becoming a 
member of Company G, Ninety-fourth Ohio 
Infantry. His widow still survives him. 

In the common schools near his boy- 
hood home Charles E. Ellsworth obtained 
his early education and at the age of sixteen 
was granted a teacher's certificate. After 
teacing for two terms in Ohio, he came to 
Danville, Illinois, and attended the high 
school here for a time. Later he resumed 
teaching, which he followed until twenty- 
two years of age, and in 1890 turned his at- 
tention to the work of surveying, entering 
the service of Alexander Bowman, then 
county surveyor of Vermilion county. Two 
years later Mr. Ellsworth was elected to that 
office on the Republican ticket and discharged 
the duties of the position so acceptably and 
creditably that he was re-elected in 1896 and 
was chosen for a third term in 1900, being 
the incumbent at the time of his 
death, which occurred March 19, 1903. 
Many of the new additions to the city of 
Danville were surveyed by him. He was 
also civil engineer in connection with the 
construction of a large portion of the streets 
of Hoopeston and made the surveys for the 
interurban lines of railroad connecting 
Danville with outside places. He made and 



published a map of Hoopeston in 1890 and 
of Danville in 1892. He laid out the towns 
known as Vermilion Heights and Oak Lawn 
and in 1897 he made the topographical outr 
line which was used in making all the ar- 
rangements by the LTnited States govern- 
ment for the National Soldiers' Home in 
Danville. In the following winter he as- 
sisted the United States geological engineers 
in making the topographical survey of the 
country around Danville, covering fifteen 
miles square. Mr. Ellsworth thoroughly 
mastered his profession, which he under- 
stood in principle and detail and his accurate 
workmanship, his systematic labors and his 
fidelity to trusts reposed in him made him 
a most commendable and acceptable officer. 

On the 29th of December, 1892, Mr. 
Ellsworth was united in marriage to Miss 
Julia Madden, an adopted daughter of Mr. 
and Mrs. Micha_el Madden, of Catlin, and to 
them were born three children : Helen Eliz- 
abeth, Esther Mary and Grace Jane. 

Mr. Ellsworth was a member of the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Tribe 
of Ben liur, and the Court of Honor. He 
took an active part in the work of organiz- 
ing many of the societies of the Sons of 
Veterans of Illinois and was captain of 
Kearney Camp at Danville for four years. 
He was also in charge of the mustering of- 
fice of the Illinois division for four years 
and during that time he instituted one hun- 
dred and twenty-five camps. In 1899 he 
became junior vice commander of the Illi- 
nois Division and perhaps to no other resi- 
dent of this part of the state did the or- 
ganization owe so much of its advancement 
and substantial progress. He was president 
of the Danville Poultry Association and one 
of the promoters of the Vermilion County 
Poultry Association. With the second meet- 
ing of the State Poultry Association under 



904 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



the new appropriation by tlie legislature he 
was placed on the executive board. Five 
years ago when the joint meeting of the 
state and county associations was held, he 
was secretary of the latter association and 
assisted the state secretary. His work for 
the official was so thorough that he was 
chosen to that office, and in January, 1903, 
he was elected state president. In politics 
Mr. Ellsworth was a prominent and active 
Republican and was one of the promoters of 
the Joseph Cannon campaign club. He was 
a typical American citizen, wide-awake and 
progressive, who entered heartily and en- 
thusiastically into any movement which re- 
ceived his indorsement. 



W^ILLIAM BEVER, SR. 

William Bea\er, Sr., who is now enjoy- 
ing the fruits of his former toil, li\-ing a 
retired life in Potomac, was born in Foun- 
tain county, Indiana, October 23, 1831. 
His father, John Bever, was a native of Ken- 
tucky, in which slate the grandfather, Mich- 
ael Be\'er, had located at a \-ery early day. 
Later the family remo\'ed to Ohio anil about 
1825 jMichael Bever became a resident of 
Fountain county, Indiana, establishing a 
home there in pioneer times. He had a 
family of nine sons and two daughters, 
among whom was John Bever. The father 
of our subject spent the days of his child- 
hood and youth in Adams county, Ohio, and 
was married there to Jane Pemberton. He 
and his wife then established their home 
upon a farm in Ohio, where they lived for a 
number of years. When his father removed 
to Indiana he also took his family to that 
state, traveling with a six horse team. He 
settled in Fountain county in 1825, among 
the early residents who had established 



homes there. The grandfather and his sons 
each entered land from the government, 
cleared their respective tracts and developed 
good farms. John Bever owned two hun- 
dred acres of good land which he trans- 
formed into a nice farm and upon which he 
spent his remaining days, there rearing his 
fami!}-. 

In taking up the personal history of Will- 
iam Bever, Sr., we present to our readers the 
life recortl of one who is widely and favor- 
ably known in Potomac and throughout the 
surrounding district. In retrospect we can 
see him as a young boy, assisting in clearing 
his father's farm, in planting the fields and 
cultivating the crops until after the harvests 
were garnered in the autumn. To some ex- 
tent he attended the public schools, but his 
educational privileges were limited to some 
degree. In early life he engaged in teaching 
for one term. He was married in Fountain 
county, Indiana, January 18, 1852, to 
Lydia Jane Keller, a native of Tennessee, 
born in Greene county. His attention 
was then given to agricultural pur- 
suits in Fountain county until 1880, the year 
of his arrival in Vermilion county. Illinois. 
Here he located on a farm a half mile east 
of Potomac, becoming the owner of two 
hundred acres of land which he continued to 
cultixatc successfully for nine years, when 
he remo\ ed to Potomac, although he carried 
on farm v/ork for a year thereafter. In con- 
nection with his son, William A., he pur- 
chased a steam thresher — the Huber ma- 
chine, — which they have together operated 
during the harvesting season for a number 
of years and the son is still successfully en- 
gaged in threshing grain in the county. 

L^ito Mr. and I\Irs. Bever have been bom 
four children who are yet living : Rebecca, 
the wife of William Blackford, a farmer of 
Middlefork township ; Sarah, at home ; Will- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



905 



jam A., who is married and resides in Po- 
tomac; and Ella, the wife of Asa Felmley, 
of Potomac. Thej' also lost three children. 
The eldest daughter, Minerva, grew to 
womanhood and married Charles Davis, of 
Fountain county, Indiana. She died in that 
county about 1878. Mary became the wife 
of J. Blackford, of Fountain county, after- 
ward came to Vermilion county and died in 
Middlefork township. Franklin died at the 
age of eighteen months. 

Mr. Bever's study of the political ques- 
tions of the day has led him to give an earn- 
est support to the Republican party, with 
which he has been allied from the time of its 
organization, casting his first ballot for its 
first presidential candidate, John C. Fremont, 
and for each presidential nominee of the Re- 
publican party since that time with the ex- 
ception of the year 1880, when he lost his 
vote ]jy reason of his removal from Indiana 
■to Illinois. He has been elected assessor 
and re-elected until he has now served for 
five consecuti\e terms and has been elected 
for the sixth term, having made five assess- 
ments of the town and township. He has 
likewise been a member of the town board 
and has ever been found loyal and efficient 
in every position of public trust to which he 
has been appointed. All who know him es- 
teem him for his genuine worth and for his 
fidelity to duty in both public and private 

life. 

♦-•-♦ 

W. W. DYE. 

Progression might well be termed the 
watchword of the newly organized firm of 
Miller & Dye, dealers in marble in Danville. 
There is nothing of fearful conservatism to 
be seen in their business methods, but on the 
other hand ad\ancement and on-going are 



the elements which have already placed this 
firm in the vanguard of the business enter- 
prises of the city, where but a comparatively 
few months ago it was entirely unknown — ■ 
the business having not then been estab- 
lished. 

W. W. Dye is a western man by birth, 
training and preference and possesses the 
enterprising spirit of this section of the 
country. He was born near Riola, Illi- 
nois, August 20, 1871, and is a son of C. 
T. and Elizabeth (Shaver) Dye. On the 
paternal side the ancestry can be traced back 
to William Dye, who was a soldier under the 
command of George Washington in the Rev- 
olutionary war and participated in the cam- 
paign of New Jersey and the memorable 
winter at Valley Forge. He died in New 
Jersey in 1784. liis son, Kenneth Dye, of 
Mason county, Kentucky, died in 181 7 and 
he was the father of Peter Dye, the great- 
grandfather of our subject. Peter Dye, also 
lived in Mason county, Kentucky, and died 
in 1822. John Dye, the grandfather, became 
a private of Company C, Seventy-third Illi- 
nois Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil 
war and was killed at the battle of Stone 
River. It was his son, C. T. Dye, who mar- 
ried Elizabeth Shaver and became the fa- 
ther of our subject. Mrs. Dye was the eld- 
est daughter of Captain David Shaver, of 
Danville, and a descendant of Zachary 
Taylor, president of the United States. Still 
further back can the ancestry be traced. 
His great-grandfather, John Allen Taylor, 
was a son of Harrison Taylor, a cousin of 
the president of the United States. Peter 
Shaver, also a great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, 
in 1790, and served in the war of 1812. x\f- 
ter his marriage C. T. Dye began farming 
and throughout his entire life followed agri- 
cultural pursuits. 



906 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



W. W. Dye, wliose name introduces tliis 
record, was reared tjy liis parents, wlio ga\e 
liim a sure foundation upon wliicli to build 
character as well as business success, for 
he was trained to habits of industry and 
economy. After attending the common 
schools he pursued a ncjrmal course in the 
Kansas Normal College at Fort Scott, Kan- 
sas, but did not graduate. For ten years he 
engaged in teaching school and was a suc- 
cessful educator. He afterward went upun 
the road as a traveling salesman, represent- 
ing a monumental business and w as extreme- 
ly successful in that line, h'or three years 
he was upon the road and then embarked 
in business on his own account. Jt was early 
in his business career that he entered the em- 
ploy of the lirm of C. X. Clark &Compan_\', 
of L'rbana, Illinois, dealers in cemetery work 
of all kinds. Having mastered the business 
in all its departments he became their lead- 
ing man and then ambitious to engage in 
business on his own account he entered into 
partnership with J. \V. Miller, who was the 
chief designer for the firm of Knox, Miller 
& Company, of Danville, of which he was 
also a partner. On the 15th of July, 1902, 
the firm of Miller & Dye opened an office at 
No. 22. South \'crmiiion street and have 
since conducted business with constantly 
growing success. 'J'hey make a specialty of 
work in American and imported marbles 
or granites, and from their establishment 
are sent out some of the finest specimens 
of the scul])tor's art to be found anywhere. 
They carry a large stock of granite and mar- 
ble and arc prejjared to do work of all 
classes from the smallest headstone to the 
most elaborate mausoleuiu. Both men are 
fully ([ualificd to superintend the business 
in any department and splendid success has 
attended their efforts, in fact, their business 
lias far exceeded their expectations, many 



veA- large and imjwrtant contracts being 
awarded them until the output brings to 
them a very gratifying financial return. En- 
terprise and energy, a knowledge of the 
trade and the desires of the public, and busi- 
ness methods, which neither seek nor re- 
(juire disguise — in these are found the secret 
of their success. 

On the 24th of August. 1893, ^^''- l^yc 
was united in marriage to Miss Emily Alice 
Church, of Callin, lllinnis. Jler parents 
were born and reared in the city of London 
and after attaining mature years came to 
America. Mr. antl Mrs. Dye now have 
four children: (Gladys, Francis, Walter C. 
and \'ida. Socially Mr. Dye is connected 
with the Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fel- 
lows Society, the Modern Woodmen of 
men of .\nierica and the Court of Honor. 



DORMAN R. DOUCLASS. 

Dorman B. Douglass is the owner of one 
of the finest farms of Catlin township, hav- 
ing three hundred and sixty acres of valu- 
able land on sections i and 2, his broad acres 
being under a high state of cultivation, 
while substantial buildings ha\-e been erect- 
ed and the place is rendered still more at- 
tractive by numerous shade and fruit trees 
with which he has adorned the grounds. 
Concrete walks have been laid and all mod- 
ern equipments, improvements and conven- 
iences ha\-e l)een added until the Douglass 
farm is now one of the finest and most val- 
uable in this section of the county. 

Its well known and progressive owner 
was born October 11, 1827, in Danville 
township, Vermilion county, and is there- 
fore one of its oldest native sons. Its his- 
tory from pioneer times down to the present 




D. B. DOUGLASS. 




MRS. DORMAN B. DOUGLASS. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



911 



is familiar to him, liis memory forming a 
connecting liniv between the days when this 
section of the country was a frontier dis- 
trict to the present period of progressive- 
ness and prosperity. ;\Ir. Douglass comes 
of New England ancestry and is the second 
in order of birth of the children of Cyrus 
and Ruby (Bloss) Douglass. The father 
was born in Vermont and the mother's birth 
occurred in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, she 
being a representative of one of the worthy 
families of the Keystone state. They were 
married about three miles north of Danville 
at a place called Denmark, and soon after- 
ward they took up their abode about three 
miles south of Danville. The father was a 
hatter by trade, having learned the business 
in New York, and on emigrating westward 
he brought with him considerable material 
with which to engage in business in St. 
Louis, Missouri. There he remained for a 
time, afterward removing to Brown county, 
Indiana, but in that locality he remained for 
but a short period. It was in the year 1824 
that he arrived in Vermilion county, first 
settling east of Georgetown near Eugene, 
where he entered some land from the gov- 
ernment, the grant being made by President 
James Monroe. He afterward lived at But- 
ler's Point and it was while residing in that 
locality that he was married. Subsequently 
he entered other tracts of land and became 
the owner of a valuable farm. He was 
numbered among the founders of the coun- 
ty, aiding in laying broad and deep the foun- 
dation upon which has been builded the 
present improvement and prosperity of this 
portion of the state. Indians were very 
numerous during the early days of his resi- 
dence here. The forests stood in their 
primeval strength and were not only the 
haunt of the red men but also were the lair 
of many wild animals. From the time of his 

36 



marriage imtil his retirement to private life 
Cyrus Douglass carried on agricultural pur- 
suits and his labors resulted in making his 
farm very productive. In 1865, however, 
he removed to Fairmount and there his wife 
died on the 15th of December, 1866. Mr. 
Douglass survived her for fourteen years, 
passing away December 20, 1880, and thus 
the county lost one who had been very active 
in advancing its interests from an early 
epoch in its history. Mr. Douglass served 
under Captain Morgan L. Payne in the 
Black Hawk war of 1831-2, and was most 
helpful in reclaiming this portion of the 
state for the uses of the white man. In his 
famil}' were thirteen children, nine sons and 
four daughters, all of whom reached years 
of maturity with the exception of one son, 
who died at the age of nine years. 

Those things which are to most of the 
residents of Vermilion county matters of 
history are to Mr. Douglass things of ex- 
perience. It is hardly possible for the vis- 
itor of to-day to realize that a half century 
ago all this rich region was wild and un- 
improved, and yet Mr. Douglass can well 
remember the stretches of forest and of un- 
broken prairie, the log cabin homes, the lit- 
tle villages which stood upon the site of now 
flourishing towns and cities. He can re- 
member Danville when it contained but 
three stores, and during the period of his 
boyhood many of the towns of the county 
were not founded. He pursued his educa- 
tion in a log schoolhuse, which was heated 
with an immense fireplace that extended 
across one entire end of the room. Like the 
other scholars he sat upon the slab benches 
and he conned his lessons from schoolbooks 
of a primitive character in institutions of 
learning were the motto of "spare the rod 
and spoil the child" was one that was closely 
followed. It was only through the winter 



912 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



season that he had the privilege of attending 
school, for during the summer montlis his 
services were needed upon the home farm. 
As soon as old enough to handle the plow- 
he took his place in the fields and was there- 
after always Ijusily engaged in the work of 
cultixating the crops until after the harvests 
of late fall. The first plow which lie used 
was a wooden mold hoard and he drove w-ith 
a single line harness made of rope. He ilid 
his harvesting with a reap hook, which later 
was superceded hy a cradle. After turning 
the furrows the girls of the family would 
drop corn l)y hand. At length, however, 
Mr. Douglass left home and spent three 
years in the gold regions of southern Ore- 
gon and also of California, heing located 
principally upon the little fork of the Feath- 
er river. He resided in California from 
185 1 until 1853, during which time he was 
engaged in mining, and then retimiing home 
by way of the ocean and Nicaraugiia route 
to New York, crossing the country then to 
Vermilion county, Illinois. Again in 1864 
Mr. Douglass made that long trip to the 
Pacific coast, crossing the plains to Idaho 
and IMontana, where he remained for about 
two and one-hrdf years. In that period he 
engaged in minig and different occupations. 
After iiis trip to California he returned to 
his farm of two hundred acres, which was 
partially im]ir(ivc(l, and at once began its 
further de\-elopment and cultivation. In his 
agricultural pursuits he has ever displayed 
industry and enterprise, combined with ex- 
cellent business judgment, and thus through 
his own labors he has steadily advanced to 
a position of affluence, being now the pos- 
sessor of a very valuable farm i)niprety. 
When he was a boy Chicago was the trad- 
ing point for the family and long trips were 
made by wagon to that city. Mr. Douglass 
can also rememljer when the people largely 



attended church by walking the entire dis- 
tance, seeing whole families go two or three 
miles in this way. Frequently they made 
the journey on horseljack, the wife sitting 
behintl her husband on the same horse. Camp 
meetings were held out of doors and candles 
were fastened to the bushes in order to af- 
fortl light. Mr. Douglass remembers quite 
well the first matches which he ever saw, 
and pre\iiius to that time fires were built 
by using Hint and tow. also punk, which was 
pickeil up in the timber. The clothing was 
largely made from flax spun in the house- 
hold, the women doing the carding and 
spinning, the cleaning and weaving, utiliz- 
ing indigo for coloring. E\-en the congress- 
men went to Washington in the home made 
clothing, and few indeed were the tailor- 
made suits seen in \'ermilion countv during 
that epoch. It was cpiite ditiicult to obtain 
leather for shoes, and the individual had 
only about one pair a }ear. On Sundays 
the girls would carry their shoes until they 
were near the church, when they would put 
them on, removing them after the service 
was over and returning home barefootd. 

In 1855 Mr. Douglass was unitetl in mar- 
riage to Miss .\nna Downing, in Danville 
township, the lady being a daughter of Ellis 
and Louise (Hathaway) Downing, who 
were natives of \'irginia anil Kentucky, re- 
spectixeh'. Her jtarents began their domes- 
tic life in the latter state, and afterward be- 
came pioneer settlers of Logansport. Indi- 
ana, where the father died. Sub.sequently the 
muther rame to Catlin township, ^'ernlilion 
county, where she remained uiitil her death. 
l-"our children were born of their union, of 
whom Mrs. Douglass is the eldest. She was 
b(irn near Washington, in Mason county, 
Kentucky, December 25, 1825, accompanied 
her parents to Indiana and with her mother 
came to Illinois. By her marriage she had 




MRS. CYRUS DOUGLASS. 





CYRUS DOUGLASS. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



917 



five cliildren : Sanuiel, who is now living 
at home; Ehza, the wife of G. W. Cook; 
Allen, who married Maggie Byerly ; Belle 
B., the wife of Charles Lucas; and George 
W., who married Miss Cord, and lives on 
the old homestead. Mr. Douglass also has 
twelve grandchildren. In 1902 he was called 
upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who 
died on the i6th of June of that year. They 
had traveled life's journey together for more 
than forty-six years, sharing with each 
other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and 
prosperitv'. They had been most happy in 
their home life and the loss of the wife 
comes as a very great blow to the husband. 
She had been an invalid for about fifteen 
or sixteen years, but bore her illness uncom- 
plainingly, without a murmur. 

Mr. Douglass has indeed seen many 
changes in Vermilion count)'. He himself 
has made trips down the Mississippi river 
to New Orleans, going upon a flatboat made 
at Olmsted Mill. Twice he has crossed the 
plains to the Pacific ocean, making the trips 
with ox teams. To-day when he travels he 
finds it possible to speed over the country in 
a palace car in which one can enjoy almost 
all the comforts and conveniences of a mod- 
ern home. He takes a deep interest in what 
has been accomplished in Vermilion county 
and he has ever borne his part in the work 
of development and improvement. For over 
thirty years he has been an honored mem- 
ber of Catlin Lodge, No. 285, F. & A. M., 
has passed throtigh all of the chairs and that 
he is one of the valued representatives of 
the craft is shown by the fact that his pic- 
ture hangs upon the wall of the lodge room. 
Fifty-four times has he exercised his right 
of franchise, being a Democrat of the Jack- 
sonian type and one of the standard bearers 
of the party. A number of times has he at- 
tended congressional and county con\'ention 



tended county and congressional con- 
ventions and has put forth very earnest 
elYort in behalf of the party and its success. 
He owns three hundred and sixty acres of 
the best farm land in the county and his 
home farm, all of which is well tiled and 
fenced and under a very high state of cul- 
tivation, is the visible evidence, of his life 
of industry and toil. He also has other 
farm property which he leases. Coal under- 
lies his home place and at any time he could 
command one hundred and fifty dollars per 
acre for his land. His property is the re- 
ward of his labor and well does he merit 
the comfortable competence which now pro- 
vides him with all of the necessities and 
many of the luxuries of life. 



AUSTIN M. SONGER. 

Austin M. Songer, who is one of the 
prosperous business men of Vermilion coun- 
ty, having been actively and honorably 
engaged in merchandising in Alvin, has 
been a resident of this portion of the 
state since August, 1868. He was born 
in \\'arren county, Indiana, August 17, 
1850, and his father, Lewis Songer, was 
a native of Virginia. When a young man 
he came to Illinois, settling in Vermilion 
county, and later remo\'ed to Warren coun- 
ty, Indiana. He married Catherine Daniels, 
also a native of the Old Dominion and both 
were of German ancestry. It was during 
the pioneer epoch of W^arren county that 
Mr. Songer located there and he often took 
a flatboat down the W^abash and Mississippi 
rivers to New Orleans, thus transporting his 
products to the southern market. In 1868 
he came to Vermilion county, settling in 
Ross township. 



918 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Austin M. Songer, who accompanied his 
parents, was tlien a young man of eighteen 
years. He iiad acquired good school privi- 
leges in Indiana and had assi'^ted his father 
in the more arduous task of developing and 
clearing ilie home farm. Here he also bore 
his part in the farm work until after he had 
attained his majority, when he started out 
in life on his own account, working by the 
month as a farm hand for a few years. He 
also chopped wood and made railroad ties 
during the winter, while during the sum- 
mer months he devoted his energies to agri- 
cultural pursuits. His labor and economy 
at length brought to him capital sufficient 
to enable him to make a purchase of land 
and he became the owner of- forty acres of 
timber land near Alvin. From this he 
cleared the trees and in course of time trans- 
formed the tract into a richly cultivated 
field. He successfully carried on farming 
until 1884, when he came to Alvin and pur- 
chased an interest in a mercantile enterprise 
here. Later the stock was divided and Mr. 
Songer has since carried on the business 
alone, increasing his stock to meet the grow- 
ing demands of his trade. He now carries 
a large line of general merchandise and has 
a very liberal patronage, owing to the repu- 
tation which he has gained for handling a 
high grade of goods and fair dealing. He 
has qualities wdiich make liim a popular mer- 
chant. 1)eing genial, approachable and oblig- 
ing, and through his trade transactions he 
has gained manv warm friends. He pur- 
chased a lot in the town and has erected 
thereon a large brick residence, which is one 
of the attractive homes here. He also owns 
other toun i)r()i)erly and a good farm near 
Alvin and has a l)usiness block in .Mvin 
aside from the one which is occupied by his 
own store. 

While his agricultural and commercial 



interests have made hea\y demands upon his 
time Mr. Songer has yet found time to take 
an active interest in political affairs, as 
every true .American citizen should do 
who has the welfare of his country at 
heart. He has long been a Democrat, 
sujjpurting the men and measures of 
the party and he was appointed by Presi- 
dent Cleveland to the office of postmaster 
of Alvin, serving for four years. He has 
also been president of the town board for 
a number of terms, has been president of the 
school l)oard for two terms and has fre- 
(juently been a delegate to the county con- 
ventions of his party, his opinions carrying 
weight and influence in its councils. He 
has been elected a member of the county 
board of supervisors from Ross township, 
although he is living in a strong Republican 
district and on the board is serving as a 
members of a number of important commit- 
tees, including th.ose on public buildings and 
grounds. He and his wife are members of 
the ]\letb.odist Episcopal church, in which 
he is serving as trustee. 

Mr. Songer was married in Ross town- 
ship, September 26, 1871, to Amanda E. 
Biteler, a natixe of Indiana and a daughter 
of William and ]\Iary Biteler, who were 
pioneer settlers of \^ermilion county, coming 
to this state from Indiana. They are still 
living here numbered among the honored 
early settlers of the community. Mrs. Son- 
ger has spent the greater part of her life in 
\'ermilion county and by her marriage has 
become the mother of three children : Will- 
iam L., who assists his father in the store; 
Effie May, the wife of Fred Pasmas, of Al- 
vin : ;uid Audulion Cleveland. The family 
ha\e a very attractive and pleasant home in 
.\l\in. noted for its gracious hospitality, and 
the members of the household occupy an en- 
viable position in social circles where true 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



919 



worth and intelligence are received as pass- 
ports into good societ}'. The record of Mr. 
Songer is one which the American citizens 
hold in highest regard for it proves the pos- 
sibilities that this country affords to her 
residents. He has by strong purpose, sup- 
plemented by industry and clear business 
judgnnent advanced to a very creditable posi- 
tion in commercial circles and now possesses 
a handsome competence which is the direct 
reward of his own labors. 



ABRAHAM L. FOX, M. D. 

Centuries ago the sage Epicharmus gave 
expression to the adage "Earn thy reward ; 
the gods give naught to sloth," and through- 
out the ages which have run their course 
since that time the truth of this admonition 
has been verilied. It is as manifest in pro- 
fessional life as in industrial work and the 
men who gain advancement and success are 
those who apply themselves earnestly to 
their chosen calling, making it always the 
first consideration. Because of close appli- 
cation, broad learning and capability Dr. 
Abraham L. Fox has become well known as 
a successful physician of Danville. He was 
born at Oakwood, Vermilion county, Octo- 
ber 30, 1838, and is a son of George A. and 
Margaret Oakwood Fox, the former a na- 
tive of Greene county, Pennsylvania, and the 
latter of Kentuck}'. His parents were mar- 
ried in this county, the mother belonging to 
the old and prominent Oakwood family 
which is represented elsewhere in this work. 
George A. Fox came to Vermilion county 
when a young man of twenty-three years, 
driving one thousand head of sheep across 
the country from Pennsylvania. He settled 
in Oakwood township, where he purchased 



came the possessor of extensive property in- 
terests. Unto him and his wife were born 
six children, all of whom are yet living, the 
daughter being the fourth in order of birth. 
The father died October 14, 1900, and his 
wife passed away in July, 1898, their re- 
mains being interred in the Oakwood cem- 
etery. 

Dr. Fox of this review began his educa- 
tion in the district schools of Oakwood 
township and afterward entered the semin- 
ary at Danville, pursuing a course in ad- 
vanced studies. Subsequently he engaged in 
teaching for three years in Catlin, Oakwood 
and Pilot townships of Vermilion county, 
but he regarded this as a preliminary step 
to other professional labor. At the end of 
that time he entered Rush iNIedical College 
in 1879 and was graduated with the class of 
1882 upon the completion of a thorough 
course. He then returned to Oakwood and 
entered upon practice, remaining there for 
four years, since which time he has lived in 
Danville. He has never had a partner, but 
has made his way unaided and has gained a 
creditable standing in professional circles 
as one whose knowledge and ability en- 
titles him to the patronage of the 
public. In 1893 he was elected health 
commissioner of Danville and served for 
two years. In 1899 he was again chosen 
for that office and in 1901 he was re-elected, 
his second term expiring on the 30th of 
April, 1903. From 1890 until 1894 Dr. 
Fox ser\'ed as local surgeon of this division 
of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad. 
He is examining physician for several insur- 
ance companies, including the Metropolitan 
of Xew York, the Pacific Mutual of Califor- 
nia, the Western Mutual Life Association of 
Chicago, the Security Trust & Life Insur- 
ance Company of Philadelphia and the Chi- 
cago Guarantee Life Fund of Chicago. He 



920 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



belongs to tlie \"ermilion County Medical 
Society, the Tri-County ^ledical Society, the 
Illinois State Medical Society and the Amer- 
ican Medical Association, thus keeping in 
touch with the advanced thought of the pro- 
fession as it is continually broadening its 
field of usefulness. 

In March, 1882, the Doctor was united 
in marriage to Miss Lida Shean, of Danville, 
and to them were born two children. Ma- 
belle Clare and Gertrude G. On the 6th of 
August. 1889. the Doctor was again mar- 
ried, his second union Ijeing with Miss Eva 
G. Gibbs, of Dan\ille. I'olitically he is a 
Republican with firm faith in the principles 
of the party, yet without desire for official 
honors as a reward for party fealty. Fra- 
ternally he is connected with Damascus 
Lodge, Xo. 84, K. P.. the Benevolent Pro- 
tective Order of Elks of Danville and the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows in which 
he is a jjast grand. He is also connected 
with ;i numljcr of insurance orders. His 
genial nature makes him a favorite in social 
as well as professional life yet his first con- 
sideration is always his professional duty 
to which he is e\er faithful. 



NOAH D. SOWERS. 

Noah D. Sowers was for many }-ears a 
progressive farmer of \'crmilion county, 
Illinois, and, recognized as a \alued citizen, 
bis loss was deeply deplored by many friends. 
He was born in Fountain county, Indiana, 
February 5, 1843, '^ son of Michael and 
Sarah (Rachard) Sowers, who were natives 
of Daxidson county, North Carolina, where 
Ihey were married in 1835. Four jears 
later the)' removed to Fountain county. In- 



diana, where the father engaged in farming 
initil his death, which occurred .August 15, 
J 845, when he was fifty-two years of age. 
The mother afterward married a Mr. Mor- 
gan, who has since tlieil, and she passed 
away on the 21st of November, 1881, at the 
age of seventy-one years. Our subject's fa- 
ther was a Democrat in his political views 
and was identified with the Lutheran church. 
Jn his family were three children : Louis, 
who resides in Fairmount, Illinois; I'hebe, 
the wife of Thomas Gooding, a resident of 
l-'cjuntain county, Indiana ; and Noah D. 

In the district schools of his native state 
the subject of this review pursued his educa- 
tion until sixteen years of age. His advant- 
ages in that direction, however, were some- 
what limited because during the months of 
summer his ser\ices were needed upon the 
home farm. He remained upon the farm, 
assisting his stepfather in its cultivation until 
he was twenty-one years of age. In 1867 he 
arrixed in Illinois, taking up his abode in 
Vermilion county, where he engaged in 
farming with his brother for ten years. Dur- 
ing that time he saved his earnings and w ilh 
the capital thus acquired he purchased eigh- 
ty acres of land in Vance tt)wnsliip. Upon 
this he erected a good house and substantial 
barns and continued the cultivation of his 
fields with gootl success for a number of 
years. 

On the 17th of February. 1881. Mr. 
Sowers was united in marriage in Washing- 
ton county, Pennsylvania, \n Miss Cinder- 
ella Conklin, who was born in that county. 
March 21, 1847. Her parents, William and 
Catherine (Ross) Conklin, were both na- 
tives of the Keystone state and were mar- 
ried in Greene county, Pennsylwuiia. after 
which tliev located on the farm near Pros- 
perity, Washington county. They Ii\ed 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



921 



there until the father died on the ist of June, 
1879, and the mother stih makes her home 
on the old farm. He was a Democrat and 
held a number of township offices, including 
that of justice of the peace. He belonged 
to the Methodist Episcopal church, and his 
life was in consistent harmony with his re- 
ligious faith. Mrs. Sowers was one of a 
family of nine children, six of whom are 
now living: William A., who resides 
upon the old homestead ; Cinderella, the 
widow of our subject; Phebe Jane, the 
wife of Cephus Meeks, who is living 
near W'aynesburg, Greene county, Pennsyl- 
vania; Ophelia, the wife of Ross McLain, 
of Greene county, Pennsylvania; Iva G., the 
widow of George ]\Iann, and a resident of 
Washington county, Pennsylvania ; and 
Ross M., who makes his home in Portland, 
Oregon. 

At the time of their marriage Mr. Sow- 
ers took his bride to his home farm and there 
they resided continuously until 1899, when 
they removed to Fairmount. He was quite 
successful in his agricultural work and was 
the owner of one hundred antl twenty acres 
of valuable land. His death occurred June 
2^, 1900, and he was laid to rest in the 
Fairmount cemetery. A stanch Democrat 
in his political views he always refused to 
hold office, but in other ways rendered his 
party what services he could. He belonged 
to the Cnniberland Presbyterian church and 
his life was a busy, useful and upright one 
characterized by qualities which in every 
land and every clime command esteem and 
good will. In 1901 Mrs. Sowers built a 
commodious home in Fairmount and she 
also owns an acre of ground here on which 
are some good residences, which she rents. 
She is an estimable lady and is widely and 
favoraljly known in this portion of \'ermil- 
ion county. 



ERNEST X. LESEURE. 

E. X. Leseure, the president of the Dan- 
ville National Bank, was born in Danville, 
March 24, 1864, a son of Prosper and Har- 
riet T. Leseure. In the common and high 
schools of this city he obtained his English 
education and in 1882 he went to Europe, 
spending two years in travel and study in 
France and Germany. Upon returning to 
Danville he at once entered upon his busi- 
ness career, in the State Bank. He entered 
the bank as bookkeeper in order to become 
familiar with all the details of the business, 
and a little later became its assistant cashier. 
In due course he became the cashier of the 
institution, with which he remained until the 
1st of January, 1891, when he entered the 
Second National Bank of this city as assist- 
ant cashier. He acted in that capacity until 
1894, when he left the bank and became 
general manager of the Danville Street Rail- 
w.-ty & Light Company, with which he was 
connected until the fall of 1900, when the 
plant was sold to eastern parties. Mr. Le- 
seure tlien purchased the interest of R. D. 
McDonald and J. S. McFerren, in the State 
Bank of Danville, and on the ist of Decem- 
ber, 1900, assumed the presidency of the 
bank. Six months later the State Bank 
was converted into the present Danville 
National Bank, of whidi Mr. Leseure is the 
president and the principal stockholder. 

In 1 89 1 Mr. Leseure was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Mable F. Cannon, a daughter 
of Hon. Joseph G. Cannon, a sketch of 
whom appears elsewhere in this work. They 
now have two daughters, Virginia and 
Helen. In his political views Mr. Leseure 
is a Republican. He is thoroughly convers- 
ant with the banking business in all its de- 
partments and to it gives the major part of 
his attention with the result that the Danville 



922 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Naional Bank lias Ijecume one of the strong- 
est financial institutions in tliis part of tlie 
state. 



W] LI JAM n. PRICE. 

Nature seems tu liave intended tliat man 
sliall spend tlie latter years of life in retire- 
ment from labor. In youth he is ambitious, 
enerjjetic and resolute and the future lures 
iiim I in with bright hopes. As manhood ad- 
\-anccs mature judgment is added to the 
qualities of younger years and results in the 
careful conduct of business affairs. Later, 
one's physical powers are not so great and it 
is thus evident that man was intended to 
labor less strenuously in his declining years. 
To y\r. J 'rice has been \'ouchsafed a well- 
earned retirement from work. He was long 
associated with agricultural interests and at 
one time he owned and operated twelve hun- 
dreil acres of land, thus carr\ing on farming 
on an extensive scale. Now he is li\ing 
quietly at his pleasant home at No. 408 
Robinson street, Danville, leaving the more 
actixc duties of a business life to others. He 
was Ijorn in Pike county, Ohio, July 4, 1827, 
and since December, 1830, has been a resi- 
dent of \'ermilii)n count)-, Illinois. His 
father, Rol)crt G. Price, born July 27, 17S8, 
was a native of Iventucky and was there 
rearetl. During the war of 181 2 he loyally 
ser\-ed his country as a soldier under Gen- 
eral William Henry Harrison. When a 
young man he went to Pike county, Ohio, 
where he was married to Nancy Howard, 
born February 27, 1793, a native of the 
Buckeye state. He took his bride to his farm 
home and in Pike count)' carried on agri- 
cultural pursuits until 1830, when he 
brought his family to \'ermilion county, Illi- 
nois. Here he entered from the trovernment 



eighty acres of land, which was locatetl near 
the city of Danville. He cleared this, as it 
was timber, turning the hrst furrow on many 
a fiekl. There he carried on farm work for 
some time and later sold that place and set- 
tled near the state line, where he was living 
at the time of his death, which occurred in 
January, 1856. His wife had passed away 
about 1844. 

yir. Price is the youngest of five chil- 
dren, and the only survivor. He was only 
about three years of age when brought by his 
pru'ents to Vermilion county, and he lived 
near Danville until sixteen years of age. His 
educational privileges were very limited and 
the knowledge that he has gained has been 
largely won in the hard school of experi- 
ence. He remained with his father until 
he had reached the age of sixteen, when 
he started out in life for himself, working 
as a farm hand by the day and month for 
two or three years. The first land which he 
ever owned he entered from the govern- 
ment, securing twn hundred and forty acres 
in Pilot township, about 1845. This he 
broke and improved, transforming it into a 
good farm, the well tilled fields returning 
to him rich harvests. There he remained 
until 1891. The property has never been 
transferred and has nc\er had a mortgage 
upon it. Though he left that farm it has 
still continued in his jiossession. He bought 
more land, however, from time to time, until 
his possessions aggregated twelve hundred 
acres, with two hundred and forty acres in 
the home farm and the remainder ne;u" by. 
Mr. Price erected a good residence, two 
large barns, and made other improvements. 
He planted a large orcliard and set out 
shade and ornamental trees, which 
added much to the .attractive api)carance 
and value oi' his ]M-operty. As the 
years jiassed he added all modern e(|uip- 




W. H. PRICE. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



925 



ments, including the latest improved ma- 
chinery, which aided him in carrj'ing on the 
work of the farm. 

On the 30th of January, 1850, in this 
county, Mr. Price was united in marriage 
to JNIary J. Cazott, who was born July 4, 
1833, in Vermilion county, a daughter of 
Henry Cazott, who was one of the first set- 
tlers here, coming from Kentucky. Mrs. 
Price spent her girlhood days here and at 
length gave her hand in marriage to the 
subject of this review, with whom she trav- 
eled life's journey for about forty-one years. 
She was then called todier final rest in 1891, 
her remains being interred in the Ember}' 
Chapel cemetery. After the death of his 
wife Mr. Price retired from the farm and 
came to Danville, residing with a daughter 
for a year or two. He was then married 
in this city September 5, 1892, to Mrs. 
Sarah J. Ellsworth, a widow, who was born 
in Clark county, Ohio, j\Iay 2t,, 1841. There 
she spent her early life and gave her hand in 
marriage to Jacob H. Ellsworth, who died 
in the Buckeye state. Mrs. Ellsworth af- 
terward came to Illinois, joining her son, 
Charles E., the late county surveyor of 
A^ermilion county. Mr. Price had five chil- 
dren by his first marriage : Jerusha J. is 
the widow of Henry Helmick, and resides in 
Pilot township. She has two sons, Charles 
and William Helmick. The former is mar- 
ried and has one daughter. Lloyd H., born 
December 2, 1852, married Mary Snider, 
and follows farming in Vernon county, Mis- 
souri. Emily M., born March 2, 1855, is the 
wife of Guy C. Howard, of Armstrong, Illi- 
nois. Charles R., born January 30, 1857, 
married Delia Hatfield, and is a farmer of 
Pilot township, and has two children, Ev- 
erett L. and Elsie M. Alice N., born May 
2, 1859, is the wife of Asbury Duncan, of 
Potomac, Illinois, and has one child, Lola. 



Since retiring from farm life Mr. Price has 
given to his children over eight hundred 
acres of land. After removing to this city 
he purchased eighty acres near the town and 
this is well improved, constituting a valua- 
ble tract. He also owns two hundred and 
eighty acres, which includes the old home 
place of two hundred and forty acres that 
he entered from the government. In Dan- 
ville he purchased a lot and built thereon 
a neat residence, which is yet his home. 

In early life Mr. Price was an old line 
Whig and later he assisted in the organiza- 
tion of the Republican party and has sup- 
ported each of its presidential nominees 
since he voted for its first candidate, John 
C. Eremont. He has never missed a town- 
ship or a presidential election. \Miile on 
the farm he served as a commissioner for 
twelve years, although he has never been 
a politician in the sense of office seeking, 
preferring to give his time and attention to 
his business interests. He holds member- 
ship in the Methodist Episcopal church of 
Danville and belongs to the Masonic fra- 
ternity. During seventy-tw^o years he has 
lived in Vermilion county. Few indeed of 
its residents have so long been identified 
with its growth or have been eye witnesses 
of its progress and development. He has 
seen the county emerge from the wilderness 
to take its place among the leading counties 
of the great commonwealth. He has watched 
it as it has kept abreast of the progress and 
improvement of other counties, for its citi- 
zens have been of a progressive class who 
are e\er ready to adopt any methods for 
improvement. He can remember Danville 
when it w-as a mere village, giving little 
promise of its future metropolitan growth. 
In the early days he suffered manj^ hard- 
ships and privations incident to pioneer 
times, but he persevereil in his work of 



926 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



farming until his labors brought to him very 
gratifying success. He is truly a self-made 
man, for at the early age of sixteen he 
started out to make his own way in the 
world. He had no money, but he possessed 
determination and force of character and 
gradually he acquired not only a good liv- 
ing but extensive landed possessions that 
enabled him to provide handsomely for his 
children and at the same time retain a very 
gratifying competence for his later years. 
His life has been quietly passed and his his- 
tory is commendable because he has always 
been true to his duties of citizenship, honor- 
able in his relations with his fell(_iw men and 
true to every dut_\- that has devolved upon 
him. 



NATHAN M. ARNOLD. 

Nathan .M. Arnold is the efticient post- 
master of blast L}nn, which position he has 
occupied for a number of years. Almost 
five decades have passed since his arrival in 
Illinois and for more than a third of a cen- 
tury he has li\ed in X'ermilion county. 
Thoroughly imbued with the spirit of enter- 
])rise and progress which has ever dominated 
llic west he has stendih' worketl his way up- 
ward, winning not only financial success but 
also the good will and confidence of those 
with whom he has been associated. 

A native of Li\-ingston county, New- 
York, he was born on the T2th of May, 
1831. His father, William .\niold, was 
bom in Cayuga county. New "S'ork, and was 
a son of Elijah .\rnold, likewise a native of 
the Empire state. The family is of English 
origin and was founded in America at the 
time wlien llie carh' Pilgrims sought refuge 
in the new world. The father of our sub- 
ject was reared to manhood in the county of 



his nativity and was there married to Laura 
Merritt, a native of Connecticut, who was 
reared in Cayuga county and was a daughter 
of Nathan Merritt. In order to provide for 
his family Mr. Arnold followed his trade of 
wagonmaking. Removing from Cayuga 
county to Livingston county, he established 
a shop at Mount Morris, which he conduct- 
ed successfully for some time. There he 
reared his family and spent his last days, 
passing away when only thirty-one years of 
age. his death resulting from an accident. 
His wife survived him and cared for their 
children. Later she remo\ed to Spring 
\\'ater in Livingston county, taking up her 
abode upon a farm. 

It was upon his father's farm that Nath- 
an Arnold was reared and entering the com- 
mon schools near his home he pursued his 
education. When he had arrived at years 
of maturity he began farming on his ow^n 
account in Livingston county, representing 
agricultural interests there for some time. 
As a companion and helpmate for life's 
journey he chose Miss }vlaria Redmond, 
their wedding being celebrated Octoljer 23, 
1850. The lady was born and reared in 
Livingston county and was a daughter of 
Richmond Redmond, one of the early set- 
tlers of that part of the state. 

In 1864 the subject of this review left 
the Empire state and took advantage of the 
business opportmiity of the growing west. 
He located in Creene countv. Illinois, upon a 
farm of three tliousand acres, belonging to 
the firm of Gregory Brothers, bankers of 
'\\'hitehall. He was made their foreman 
and occupied that position for eleven years, 
successfully controlling their extensive agri- 
cultural interests. In 187.2 he came to \'er- 
niilion countv and purchased a tract of raw 
land in Butler township. Soon the plow 
had turned the furrows in the hitherto un- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



927 



cultivated fields and, breaking and fencing 
his land, he soon placed it under a high state 
of cultivation, thus developing an excellent 
property of two hundred and forty acres. 
He carried on his farm work there with ex- 
cellent success until about 1889, when under 
President Benjamin Harrison he was ap- 
pointed postmaster of East Lynn, acting in 
that capacity for about five years. Again 
he was appointed by President McKinley in 
1896 and 1900, and is now serving in his 
sixth year, his incumbency in this ofifice al- 
together covering ele\en years. He was 
afterwards elected justice of the peace of his 
township, in which capacity he has served 
for sixteen years, and for about ten or 
twehe years he has been a .township trustee, 
and to wliate\'er positions of honor and trust 
he has been called he has ever been found 
loyal. He has been a resident of East Lynn 
since first appointed postmaster here and 
the interests of the village have been largely 
advanced through his efforts. 

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have a family of 
four children: William, of East Lynn; 
Edella, the wife of Wheeler Insley, a resi- 
dent farmer of Iroquois county ; Frank, who 
is engaged in the livery business in East 
Lynn; and ]Myrtle, the wife of W. S. 
Flick, who is the station agent and tele- 
graph operator at East Lynn. In 1900 
the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold 
was celebrated and over a hundred guests 
were ])resent, friends attending from Dan- 
ville, Indianapolis, Indiana, and various 
other places. 

Politically Mr. Arnold was in early life 
an old line Whig and in 1856 he voted for 
John C. Fremont, the first presidential candi- 
date of the Republican party. Since that 
time he has never failed to support the men 
whose names have headed the ticket and in 
all matters of citizenship he is equally loyal 



and faithful. For thirty-eight years he has 
lieen a resident of Illinois and for thirty 
years has li\'ed in Vermilion county. He 
has seen the swamps and sloughs drained, 
the prairies broken and farms developed 
until this is one of the richest agricultural 
sections of this great state. He has aided 
materially in opening up and improving Ver- 
milion count}- and has been identified largely 
with its development and prosperity. He is 
well known in Hoopeston and in the northern 
part of the county and is a man of tried in- 
tegrity and worth. Both he and his estim- 
ai)le wife are held in high regard and are 
well deserving of mention in the history of 
the Past and Present of Vermilion county. 



G. M. SCOTT. 



G. M. Scott owns and operates one hun- 
dred and eleven acres of land on section 19, 
Pilot township. He was born a mile and a 
half southwest of his present home on the 
30th of September, 1854, and is a son of 
George C. and Margaret (Hubbard) Scott, 
the former a native of Maryland and the 
latter of Ohio. They were married, how- 
e\'er, in Oakwood township, Vermilion coun- 
ty, having emigrated westward when the 
Indians still roamed over the plains and 
pitched their tents in the forests. The father 
died in the year 1847 and the mother, long 
surviving him, passed away in 1892. There 
were ten children in this family of whom the 
suljject of this review is the ninth in order 
of birth. The family record is as follows : 
Willis, a resident of De Witt county, Illinois ; 
Elizabeth, the wife of Hedge Thompson, of 
Pilot township; Jane, the deceased wife of 
John Stump, of Pilot township; \'ictoria, 
the wife of Lawrence Jones, of Ross town- 



928 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ship; Louisa, at home; CaroHne, the wife 
of James Creamer, of Oakwood townshii) ; 
George \\'., of \V' hite county, Indiana ; 2ilar- 
cus \\'., wlio is hving in Blount township; 
G. M., of this review; and John T., who is 
a resident of Pulaski county, Indiana. 

The educational privileges which G. M. 
Scott enjoyed were those afforded by the 
district schools of his locality. Throughout 
his entire life he has followed farming, and 
in boyhood days he became familiar with 
the duties and labors which fall to the lot 
of the agriculturist in connectiijn with the 
raising of grain and stock. At the time of 
his marriage he started out upon an indei)en- 
dent business career with about two hundred 
dollars in money. He has always lived up- 
on the farm which is yet his home and which 
he purchased about tifteen years ago. becnm- 
ing" the owner of one hundred and eleven 
acres. Here he carries on general farming 
and stockraising and the well tilled fields 
return tn him a golden tribute fur the care 
and labor he Ijestows upon them. Every- 
thing about his place is neat and attractive 
in appearance and the presistent efforts of 
Air. Scott have formed the foundation upon 
which he has builded his success. 

in 1875 occurred the marriage of our 
subject and Miss Sarah Jane Trimmell. who 
was born in Pilot township in 1855, and is 
a daughter of James and Hepzibah (Davis) 
Trimmell. Pier parents were natives of 
Ohio. l)ut were married in Illinois. March 
25. 1832. and from that time until called to 
their final rest they resided in Pilot township. 
The father died in 1875. ^^ ^^'^^ a veteran 
of the Civil war, having served for four 
years as a loyal defender of the Union, dur- 
ing which time his meritorious conduct on 
the field of brutle won him promotion from 
the position of private to the rank of cai)tain. 
In his familv were fi\e children, but onlv 



two are now living, ^Irs. Scott and James 
Trimmell. The marriage of our suljject and 
his wife has been blessed with four children: 
Xora. the wife of George Lee, of Blount 
township, by whom she has one child, Janet ; 
Otie, the wife of Ernest Seymour Moore, 
of Pilot township, by whom she has a daugh- 
ter. Lillian : and Etta and Edwartl, who are 
still under the paternal roof. 

]\Ir. Scott belongs to the Alodern Wood- 
men Camp at Collison, and he exercises his 
right of franchise in support of the men and 
measures of the Republican party. He is 
now serving as road commissioner and for 
twelve years he has filled the office of school 
director the cause of education finding in 
him a warm friend who does all in his power 
to advance its interests. Bv perseverance, 
determination and lionoral)le effort he has 
overthrown all obstacles which have barred 
his path to success, and his geiuiine worth 
and public spirit have made him a valued 
representative of Pilot township. 



EUGENE H. WHITHAM. 

When ambition is satisfied and every ul- 
timate aim acci>mplished, then effort ceases 
and energy gives way to inactivity. The mo- 
tive power of the world is ambition, and to 
this every community owes its upbuilding. 
Eugene H. W'bitham. who stands to-day as 
one of the leading men f)f his portion of \'er- 
milion county, has been actuated by a spirit 
of ambition for personal success, for public 
progress and for an advanced citizenship 
and to this end he has directed his labors 
with the result that he has become a pros- 
])erous resident of Rankin and has contrib- 
uted in an a])precial)le manner to the upbuild- 
ing and substantial impro\ement of this 




(P.//ti^^7^rL^^. 



f ^ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



931 



locality. He has long been identified with the 
banking and grain interests of Rankin, and 
the latter branch of his business furnishes an 
excellent market for grain producers and 
the former provides a necessary medium of 
financial exchange, at the same time bring- 
ing to Mr. Whitham a very desirable return 
for his labor and investment. 

Mr. \Vhitham was born in Canal Fulton, 
Fulton county, Ohio, November 8, 1847, a 
son of John De Ment and Caroline (Far- 
well) Whitham. The father was bom in 
Ohio county. West Virginia, March 22, 
181 5, and died in Olympia, Washington, 
January 14, 1897. His parents were Jos- 
eph Rider and Sarah (De Ment) Whitham, 
and he was of English, Irish, Holland and 
FVench extraction. His parents were mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian church and he unit- 
ed with tliat denomination before he was 
twenty years of age. Under the direction 
of his pastor, Rev. John McCloskey, he pre- 
pared for college and was graduated in 
Washington College, of Pennsylvania, with 
the class of 1835. For two years he en- 
gag'ed in teaching in the academy at West 
Nottingham, ]\Iarjdand, after which he en- 
tered Princeton College and was graduated 
in 1840. On the 25th of May, of that year, 
he was licensed to preach, and was ordained 
October 12, 1841. He had three pastorates 
in the Presbyterian church — Unity and 
Wolf Run, Pennsylvania, and at Keene and 
Canal Fulton, Ohio ; two pastorates in the 
Free Presbyterian church — Mount Jackson, 
Pennsylvania, and Low-ell, Ohio, together, 
and Paint Valley, Ohio ; and two pastorates 
in the United Presbyterian church — Sugar 
Branch, Illinois, and Fairfax and Florence, 
Iowa. He continued to preach occasionally 
until he liad passed the eightieth mile-stone 
on life's journev, and he accomplished much 
good for the cause of humanity and the 



church. He was a very ardent Abolitionist 
and assisted many a slave on his way to 
freedom, his home being one of the stations 
on the "underground railroad." 

Rev. Whitham was married twice. On 
the 2d of November, 1841, he w'edded Chris- 
tina B. Gray, who died August 2, 1843, 
leaving a daughter, who grew to maturity 
and married. On the 25th of September, 
1844, Rev. Whitham wedded Caroline Far- 
well, a native of New Hampshire, and unto 
them were born four children : Eugene 
H. ; Robert Farwell, a government survey- 
or and civil engineer, residing in Seattle, 
W^ashington ; George Louis, an attorney of 
Seattle; and Charles Sumner, a real-estate 
agent of Randolph, Nebraska. The mother 
survived her husband about two years, pass- 
ing away March 18, 1899, wdien she was 
laid by his side in the cemetery of Rankin. 
Rev. WHiitham was a most liberal man, both 
with his time and money and ne\-er hesi- 
tated in the performance of any dut}'. He 
was practically the builder of the Olympia 
United Presbyterian church and he labored 
untiringly for the advancement of the cause 
of Christianity and for the uplifting of his 
fellow men. There were, moreo\'er. as 
dominant traits in his character, an abiding 
sympathy and charity wdiich won him the 
confidence and lo\'e of his fellow men. 

Eugene H. Whitham received his pri- 
mary education near Millersburg, in Holmes 
county, Ohio, and afterward attended the 
State Normal, at Normal, Illinois. He had 
come to Illinois at the age of eighteen years, 
settling in Rankin, of which he is one of 
the founders and promoters. He first worked 
upon his father's farm near the town but in 
1872 entered the grain business in the em- 
ploy of Mr. Rankin, for whom the town was 
named. With him he remained until 1875, 
when the private bank of Rankin, Whit- 



932 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ham & Company was formed, and Mr. 
W'hitliam became tlie owner of a half in- 
terest and has since l)een its cashier and 
manager. His partners are W. A. Rankin 
and 1j. 1\. Durliam, botli prominent and re- 
hablc !)usiness men, Ijiit tlie success of tlie 
institution is practically due to the enter- 
prise and business ability of Mr. W'hitham, 
who from the first has controlled its affairs 
and placed it upon a paying Ijasis. In addi- 
tion to their bank the company owns 
ten huntlred and forty acres in IrtKiUois 
county, just across the Vermilion county 
line; and four thousand acres of grain 
land in Chariton county, Missouri. ^Ir. 
Whitham has also been identified with 
the grain business since coming to Ran- 
kin, being a partner in the Rankin Grain 
Company, which is incorporated, and in 
addition to his business interests here, he 
has three hundred acres of valuable land ad- 
joining the town, and an interest in five hun- 
dred and forty acres of good farm land in 
Indiana. 

On the 1st of January, 1879, Mr. Whit- 
ham was married to Elizabeth George, a 
daughter of Rol)ert George, one of the early 
settlers of Ford county, Illinois, who is now 
deceased. Mrs. George, however, is living 
with Air. and Mrs. Whitham, at the age of 
ninety-three years. She was the mother of 
six children, four of whom are living. Unto 
Mr. and Airs. W'hitham have been born two 
children: Glenn Howard, born Octol)er 11, 
1882, and now in the bank with his father; 
and Gladys Eugenia, born October 8. 1888. 
The parents are prominent members and act- 
ive workers in the Presbyterian church at 
Rankin and Mr. W'hitham is serving as one 
of its elders. 

He has always taken an active inter- 
est in politics as a supporter of the Re- 
publican pru"ty, has been a member of the 



county central committee, and yet has never 
consented to become a candidate for office. 
His best service to the public has been given 
as a ])rivate citizen and his work in behalf 
of his locality has been far-reaching and 
bcneticial. Ho is a leader in many move- 
ments for the benefit of the town, and his 
active co-operation is given to all measures 
tending toward pul)lic progress and im- 
provement. 1 here has been nothing sensa- 
tional in his business career, for his advance- 
ment has not been secured through specula- 
tion l)ut through earnest labor, careful in- 
vestment and sound practical judgment in 
the guidance of his affairs. His prosperity has 
followed his efforts as a logical seciuence and 
there has come with it the good name that 
is ever enjoyed by those who do not take 
advantage of the necessities of their fellow 
men in business transactions. 



GEORGE W. MILLER. 

Li\ing on section 16, Ross township, 
George W'. Miller owns and operates a farm 
of four hundred acres. Almost six decades 
ha\e passed since he came to this county 
;m(l the changes which have occurred during 
this jieriod are well known to him for he 
lias been a witness of the growth and im- 
I)rovement of this section of the state. He 
claims Indiana as the state of his nativity, 
his birth having occurred in Vermilion coun- 
ty, there, November .26, 1841. He repre- 
sents an old family that has been prominent 
in the development of districts in Ohio and 
Mississippi river valleys through many 
years. His great-grandfather became an 
early settler of Ohio and was captured and 
killed by the Indians during the warfare 
with the red men. Cornelius Miller, the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



933 



grandfather of our subject, was said to be 
the first male child born in Hamilton county, 
Ohio, where the city of Cincinnati now 
stands. He became one of the pioneer set- 
tlers of Kentucky and afterward removed to 
Indiana, casting in his lot with the early 
settlers of Vermilion county, that state. 
Andrew J. Miller was born in Kentucky in 
1814 and by his parents was taken to Indi- 
ana, where he was reared. He wedded 
Catherine Moyer, a native of Ohio, and 
afterward engaged in agricultural pursuits 
in Indiana for a number of years. Three of 
iiis children were born there and about i8-)4 
he came with his family to Illinois, settling 
in Ross township, Vermilion county, among 
the first settlers to reclaim the wild land for 
purposes of civilization. From the govern- 
ment he entered a tract of land and after- 
ward bought other property until he was the 
owner of sixteen hundred acres. He de- 
A'eloped the farm adjoining that on which, 
his son George W., now resides and became 
a prominent agriculturist of his locality, 
carrying on his work in such a manner that 
his progressive ideas and unfaltering dili- 
gence made him a progressive farmer. He 
died in 1873, at the age of fifty-eight years 
and his wife, still surviving him, now resides 
on the old home place with one of her sons. 
George W. Miller of this review be- 
longed to a family of five sons and seven 
daughters, and of this number four sons and 
four daughters reached years of maturity, 
while three sons and two daughters are yet 
living. No event of special importance oc- 
curred to vary the routine of farm life for 
our subject in his youth. He was only three 
years of age when brought to Vermilion 
county, Illinois. Here he attended the com- 
mon school during a few months each year, 
but from the time of early spring planting 
until the harvests were gathered in the au- 



tumn he worked in the fields. He is almost 
wholly a self-educated as well as a self-made 
man. He remained with his father until 
thirty years of age and in the meantime 
took charge of and carried on the home 
farm. During this time he had purchased 
one hundred and sixty acres of his present 
farm and in 1872 he took up his abode there- 
on, since which time he has placed the land 
under a high state of cultivation. He has re- 
modeled the buildings, built others and now 
has a substantial residence and commodious 
barns and sheds for the shelter of grain and 
stock. An orchard which he planted now 
bears its fruit in season and forest trees 
throw their shade over the lawn and protect 
the home from the hot rays of the sunnner 
sun. A valuable and well improved farm is 
that now owned by George W. Miller, who 
from time to time has added to his property 
until his landed possessions now aggregate 
four hundred and fifteen acres, all of which 
is under a high state of cultivation. In ad- 
dition to the raising of grain he makes a 
business of feeding and shipping cattle and 
hogs for the market. 

The home life of ]\Ir. Miller has been 
very pleasant. He was happily married in 
Ross township, February 13, 1872, to Miss 
Vienna C. Hass, a native of Pennsylvania 
and a daughter of Daniel Hass, who was 
born in the Keystone state and came to Ver- 
milion county in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Miller 
were parents of nine children : Andrew 
D., who is married and follows farming in 
this county: Samuel I., who is married and 
also carries on agricultural pursuits in this 
county; George and Gar\er C, who assist 
in the cultivation of the home farm ; Louisa, 
the wife of Jesse Landown, a farmer of Ver- 
milion county ; iVIary Ellen, Elsie Maude 
and Pearl, all yet under the paternal roof. 
Thev also lost an infant son, lohn. 



934 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Tlie political work of Mr. Miller has been 
directed in l)ehalt of Democracy when state 
and national issues are involved, but at local 
elections votes independently of party ties. 
He served for three consecutive years as 
commissioner of highways and for a number 
of years as a member of the school board, 
but has never been active in seeking public 
ofifice, as his attention has been largely 
claimed by his business affairs. His wife 
is a member of the Christian church. 
Throughout the greater part of his life 
George W. Miller has resided in X'ermilion 
county :ind those who lia\e known him from 
boyhood as well as his acquaintances of later 
years give to him their friendship, a fact 
which indicates that his has been an honor- 
able and u])right career. 



RE\'. W. H. WEBSTER. 

Among the men who are well known 
not i.mly in \'ermilion county but in central 
Illinois because of their various activities is 
Rev. William H. Webster, D. D., of Dan- 
ville. Dr. Webster was born in Schoharie 
county, Xew \\)rk, in 1835. Before he was 
ten years old both of his parents died. He 
came to Danville in 1848 with his sister, 
who was the wife of a Methodist minister. 
As the sister dieil a few months after com- 
ing here and her husband moved away in 
a short time, he was left when about fourteen 
years old to make his own way in the world 
as best he coulil. This he did by working 
at whatever came at hand. He sawed wood, 
worked in a li\ery barn, painted wagons, 
plows, buggies and houses, besides other 
work. For a time he made all of the putty 
sold in the stores in Danville. He relates 
that he took care of the fires for a lumber 



kiln where the lumber was dried for many 
of the houses then being built in Danville. 
This kiln >vas at the corner of Vermilion 
and North streets, where the Illinois Print- 
ing Company building now stands. Of the 
lumber there dried some was used for the 
new residence on Hazel and North streets 
erected by William Lamm, which was then 
the pride of the town, and some for the 
Methodist Seminary. Across the street 
south from the lumber kiln was the little 
frame Methodist church in which preaching 
was held on Sundays, and on week days a 
school, that developed into Danville Sem- 
inary, was kept by the Rev. O. S. Mun- 
sell and his wife. A't a recess some of the 
attendants of the school came to where Mr. 
Webster was at work and spoke of their 
studies in a way that e.xcited his interest. He 
determined that he, too, would know some- 
thing of those wonderful studies. So the 
ne.xt fall he was enrolled as a scholar. He 
worked nights and mornings and Saturdays 
to pay expenses. Some times he was out 
of school sc\'eral weeks while he earned 
money to pay his bills. In this way work- 
ing, going to school and teaching he at- 
tended the seminary in Danville, then As- 
bury L'niversity of Indiana, ami linally the 
Ohio W'esleyan University, where he grad- 
uated in the classical course in 1859. He 
began teaching school before he was eigh- 
teen years of age. His first school was at 
what was called the Rickart schoolhouse, 
about eight miles northwest of Danville. 
]le afterward taught where Potomac is 
now located and at Kygers Mill, now Grape 
Creek, Mann's Chapel and other places and 
in Shelbyville Seminary. He joined the 
Methodist church at a camp meeting held 
near Danville. He was licensed as a local 
preacher while teaching at Shelbyville. Af- 
ter teaching during the week he often rode 




REV. W. H. WEBSTER. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



937 



miles into the country to till his Sunday ap- 
pointments. In the winter of 1858-9 he 
was appointed as assistant preacher on the 
circuit that embraced the north half of Ver- 
milion county. He traveled over this cir- 
cuit on horseback, preaching an a\erage of 
once a day. He preached in private houses, 
schoolhouses, barns," groves and in the few 
churches, and wherever a small congrega- 
tion could be gathered. Besides preaching 
he furnished Bibles and religious books to 
the people and kept up his college studies. 
Some times in crossing the sloughs and 
streams his jaded horse would refuse to pro- 
ceed and he was compelled to alight and 
lead the horse and wade through the mud 
and water. 

Becoming a member of the Illinois con- 
ference at its session in Danville in 1859 his 
work since that time has been connected with 
that body. For his first year's work in the 
conference he was paid ninety dollars and 
he paid his board in part out of that sum. 
For a time he taught school to pay expenses 
while he served as pastor of a church. His 
salary, however, increased until it reached 
two thousand dollars per year. Mr. Web- 
ster has served as pastor of churches at Ur- 
bana, Champaign, Bloomington, Quincy, 
Jacksonville, Spring-field and Decatur, and 
as presiding elder of Jacksonville, Spring- 
field and Danville districts. He has been 
a member of four general conferences of his 
denomination and has taken an active part 
in shaping its polity. In the long struggle 
which ended in the admission of women to 
the law making body of the church he was 
from the first actively in favor of their ad- 
mission. He was in favor of laymen being 
represented with ministers in the councils of 
the church and has seen this measure also 
succeed. He was for years a trustee of Illi- 
nois Women's College at Jacksonville and 
37 



of Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloom- 
ington. He was a member of the committee 
to oversee the great publishing interest of 
his church when the new publishing house 
in New York, costing a million dollars, was 
built, and when the Epworth Herald, the 
paper having the largest circulation of any 
paper of the denomination, was published. 

At the close of his term as presiding 
elder of the Danville district Mr. Webster 
took the work of superintendent of the Do- 
mestic Missionary Society, which he had 
helped to organize. In its interests he trav- 
eled over a large part of central Illinois, 
raising funds, establishing missions and aid- 
ing w^eak churches. For this service, con- 
tinued during ten years, he refused to ac- 
cept compensation abo\'e his actual travel- 
ing e.xpenses. He is now acting as financial 
secretary for the superannuated relief fund, 
a fund intended to aid those veterans in the 
ministry who, having devoted their lives to 
the work, are now in need. For many years 
he has been the treasurer of the board of 
trustees of his conference. In* that capac- 
ity he has annually had charge of thousands 
of dollars of church funds, of which he 
gives a strict account at each session of the 
conference. 

Early in the ministry Mr. Webster 
formed the opinion that for a minister to at- 
tempt to make no financial provision for 
himself was wrong and often injurious to 
his usefulness. He believes that while a 
minister should not turn aside to make 
money yet that for him to give some thought 
to business and thus provide for himself in 
age will render him a better preacher as 
well as enable him to be useful where other- 
W'ise he could not be. So in early life he in- 
vested his small savings with the result that 
now he is in comfortable circumstances. He 
believes that churches ought not onlv to 



938 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



give tlieir pastors a support but should en- 
courage and assist them in making provision 
for themselves in old age. 

Before his majority Mr. Webster be- 
came active in behalf of the then newly 
formed Republican party. He made politi- 
cal speeches in the exciting campaign be- 
tween I'^remont and Buchanan in 1856. He 
advocated the election of Lincoln in i860. 
During the war of the rebellion he assisted 
in raising a company but failed to get into 
the service. He let it be known that his 
church stood for the Union and that dis- 
loyal persons were not wanted as members. 
While he still counts himself a Republican, 
he claims the right and duty to vote for 
any men or measures that will promote the 
best interest of the people. While not allied 
with the Prohibition party he has often aided 
in securing anti-license laws in the cities 
wliere he has been pastor. Lor several years 
Mr. \\'ebster was president of the Danville 
school board and gave much time to ad- 
vancing the interests of the schools. Dur- 
ing his ministrv he has seen many hundreds 
converted and brought into the church. He 
has Ijeen successful in building churches, 
paying church debts, aiding missions and 
while loyal t(^ his own church he has stood 
for brotherhood among all Christians. 

The history of the changes in Danville 
and \'ermilion county since Air. Webster 
came here, if written, would read like a ro- 
mance. Then Danville was a frontier vil- 
lage of a few hundred people with many log 
houses and few conveniences. The wildest 
fancy could not then predict the splendid 
city it is to-day. Communication with the 
outside world then was had only by stage 
coach. The streets were often impassable 
with mud and were dark at night. The 
Methodist church which Mr. Webster at- 
tended was lighted like most of the dwell- 



ingr V, ith t;iIlo\\ dips or candles, from 
which the tallow often dropped down on the 
worshippers who sat nc;ir them. The church 
was seated with wooden benches and the wo- 
men sat on one side of the church and the 
men on the other. Men and women were 
not allowed to sit together. In the county 
the few settlers lived mostly either in the 
timber or along the edge of the prairie and 
usually in log cabins. The prairies were 
covered to a large e.vtent by sloughs and tall 
grasses and were inhabitetl by rattle' snakes, 
deer and wolves and cranes. The woods 
abounded with wild turkeys and game. Land 
that now is worth more than one hundred 
dollars per acre could then be bought at 
less than a dollar an acre, and was thought 
1)\- manv to be worthless. When Air. Web- 
ster UH>ks back to his youth and notes the 
vast strides made since then to the present 
time he feels that he has lived in the most 
wonderful period of the world's history. 
From the Danville as he first saw it to the 
Danville of to-day with its splendid churches 
and ])ul)lic buildings, magniticent streets, its 
business houses, parks and public utilities, 
in any other age woukl represent the prog- 
ress of a thousand years. Mr. \\'ebster feels 
that he has been favored liy living and try- 
ing to do his part in such an age. 

Mr. Webster was united in the holy 
bonds of matrimony to Miss Augusta Rob- 
insi)!!. a tlaughter of William Robinson, and 
one of a family of five children. She was 
bom October 3, 1867. and by her marriage 
has become the mother of several children, 
of whom onlv one son, John Wesley Web- 
ster, is lixing. He is now an attorney of 
Danville. He was graduated at DePauw: 
I'niversity of Indiana, became a law stu- 
dent in the State Lhiiversity of Illinois, and 
then entered the Harvard University at 
Cambridge. Massachusetts, ^\■llile he was 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



939 



at DePauw, the paper of that school, tlie 
DePauw Palladium, was running behind and 
Mr. Webster assumed its management, 
made it an enterprising school journal and 
placed it upon a paying basis. He married 
Miss Esther J. Baum, a daughter of John 
W. Baum, and they now have a daughter, 
Elizabeth. 

In a summary of the career of Rev. 
Webster it would be impossible to give the 
result of his life work for influence is im- 
measureable and the force of character can 
not be determined by any known standard. 
There is, however, much tangible proof that 
his labors have been of practical value. The 
churches of Vermilion county have felt the 
impetus of his zeal and energy, Methodist 
congregations in various parts of the state 
also ovvC their growth in no small degree 
to his teachings and his example, and in the 
history of the Christian development of the 
state the name of Rev. William H. Web- 
ster should be enrolled as one whose dili- 
gence and zeal have been important elements 
in Christian advancement. 



JAMES GILMORE. 



There is no rule for achieving success 
and yet there are certain elements which are 
indispensible in a prosperous career. These 
are strong determination, sound practical 
judgment and a recognition of possibilities. 
All of these have been manifest in the career 
of Mr. Gilmore who, though he started out 
at the early age of twelve years to fight life's 
battle unaided, has come ofif conqueror in the 
strife. To-day he is numbered among the 
capitalists of Danville holding important 
realty interests and at the same time controll- 
ing extensive mercantile affairs. The per- 
severance, energy, and strong determination 



wiiich have been concomitants in his success, 
furnish an example that is well worthy of 
enuilation. 

Mr. Gilmore is a native of Canada, his 
birth having occurred in Dundass, on the 
17th of August, 1853. His parents, Ed- 
ward and Bridget (Stanton) Gilmore, were 
both natives of County INIayo, Ireland, and 
were married in Canada, both having located 
in that country in the j-ear 1846. The father 
engaged in farming, following agricultural 
pursuits in the Dominion until 1856, when 
he came to the United States, locating first 
at South Bend, Indiana. There he followed 
railroading until 1859, in which year he re- 
moved to Kokomo, where he continued in 
the railroad employ and there he li\ed until 
]868. In the meantime — in the year 1866 
— his wife had passed away. Coming to 
Danville, Illinois, he continued to make his 
home with the subject of this review until 
called to his final rest in 1899. tie was a 
Democrat in his political affiliations and in 
his religious faith was a Catholic. In the 
family were three children : James ; ?\Iary, 
the wife of C. F. Springer, of Kokomo, 
Indiana ; and John, who resides at Gates, 
Fountain county, Indiana. 

James Gilmore was only about three 
years of age when his parents came to the 
United States and in Howard county, Indi- 
ana, he acquired his education. His school 
life was completed when he was but twelve 
years of age and he then began work on the 
Wabash & Erie canal as a driver, being em- 
ployed in that capacity for two summers. 
He then made his way to Covington, Indi- 
ana, where he worked on the Big Four Rail- 
road for a year, after which he turned his 
attention to the retail liquor business with 
which he was connected in the Hoosier state 
until 1 87 1. 

In that year Mr. Gilmore came to Dan- 



940 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ville and entered tlie emj)loy of Mattis Mil- 
ler, who owned a retail liquor house on 
South street and w Ik^ died the following year. 
Mr. Gilniore then embarked in business for 
himself in the same locality, conducting his 
new enterprise until 1874 when he left the 
city and went to Coal Creek, Fountain coun- 
ty, Indiana, where the coal veins were l)eing 
developed. For a few months he engaged 
in digging coal and in the same year he came 
once more to Danville. In October of the 
same year he was united in marriage to Miss 
Mary McLean, who was born in Danville 
in 1857, a daughter of Patrick and INlary 
(Sculen) McLean, both of whom were na- 
tives of the Emerald isle and came to Ameri- 
ca at an early day, locating in Lafayette, 
Indiana. In the early fifties they became re- 
sidents of Danville and the father carried on 
agricultural pursuits. His wife died in 
i860, but he long survived her, passing away 
in 1884. In his political views he was a 
Democrat and was a life communicant of 
the Catholic church. In his family were six 
children : Ellen, wife of Frank Cavanaugh, 
deceased; Anna, the wife of Charles Davis, 
of the state of Washington; Ruth, the wife 
of Michael O'Bern of Champaign, Illinois; 
Bridget, the wife of M. J. Wiseman, of Dan- 
ville, Illinois; George, who resides in Dan- 
ville; and Mrs. Gilmore. Unto the mar- 
riage of our subject and his wife have been 
born seven children: Ellen, nuw the wife 
of William McDonald, of this city; Edward, 
who is acting as his father's bookkeeper ; 
\V'illiam, who is pursuing a law course in 
Georgetown l'ni\crsity, of W'ashington D. 
C. ; Jcjhn. a pharmacist of Danville. Illinois; 
Grover, F.mmet and Cecil, all of whom are 
with their parents. 

At the time of their marriage Mr. and 
Mrs. (lilmore began their domestic life in 
Coal Creek, Indiana, where he was engaged 



in mining coal. In 1875. however, he once 
more took up his abode in this city and was 
engaged in the retail liquor business in con- 
nection w ith his brother-in-law, Frank Cav- 
anaugh. a relation that existed for nine 
months. In 1877 Mr. Gilmore established 
a retail li(pKir hciuse in ( jermantown but once 
more took up his abode in this citj' in 1879 
and carried on business in the same line in 
the old St. James block. In 1885 he erected 
the first business block on Jackson street and 
removed his store to that building. In 1888 
he sold out to Neil Olson and opened a 
wholesale and retail liquor house next door to 
the co'.u-thouse on East Main street. There 
he continued until 1892, when he again built 
on Jackson street ami engaged in the whole- 
sale iKjuor business until 1901, when he sold 
out to E. J. Epstein. On the ist of Septem- 
ber. 1901, he embarked in his present business 
under the firm name of the Merchandise 
Company, at Xo. 425 East Main street. 
Here he handles billiard tables, office and bar 
furniture, safes, cash registers and desks, 
and has already secured a good patronage, 
receiving the support of many who had pre- 
viously known him in business relations and 
who recognized his right to a liberal share 
of the i)ul)lic support. Mr. (jilmore also 
owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres 
in I'ountain county, Indiana, and one hun- 
dred and sixty acres in I'arke county, Indi- 
ana. This is miderlaid by rich deposits of 
coal and is therefore very valuable. He also 
owns lead and zinc mining interests in Pitts- 
burg, Hickory county, Missouri, and his 
real estate holdings in Danville are valuable. 
.\ local paper said: "James Gilmore, who 
recentl}- jjurchased the ground at the comer 
of \':m Buren street and Washington avenue 
upon which at no distant date he intends 
erecting a hotel, has a marked preference for 
corner lots. In fact, all of the property htf 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



941 



owns in the city is of that character. He 
owns sixt}'-six feet at the corner of Main and 
Jackson streets, eighty-six feet at the cor- 
ner of Van Buren and Washington a\'enue, 
cnie hunih'ed and twenty feet at the corner of 
Scott and College streets, eighty-eight feet 
at the corner of Main and McDonald, and 
residence property at the comer of Vem^il- 
ion and Davis streets. He has more corner 
lot property in the business section of this 
city than any other individual."' It will 
thus be seen that Mr. Gilmore has made very 
extensive and judicious investments in prop- 
erty and his realty holdings return to him an 
excellent income. 

A Democrat in his political afhliations, 
Mr. Gilmore believes firmly in the principles 
of the party but has ne\'er been an office 
seeker. He belongs to the St. Patrick's 
Catholic church and is a liberal contributor 
to its support. He has also co-operated in 
many measures for the general good and 
Danville has benefited by his efforts in her 
behalf. His business affairs have ever been 
capably conducted. Probably the real secret 
of his success is his untiring industry and his 
recognition of business openings. From the 
age of twelve years down to the present time 
he has been dependent entirely upon his own 
resources and steadily has he worked his 
way upward until he now occupies an en- 
viable and prominent position on the plane 
of affluence. He is a man of strong force 
of character, and is reliable and enterprising, 
and throughout Danville James Gilmore is 
widely known and highly respected. 



J. B. COURTNEY. 



Actively identified with commercial in- 
terests in Potomac for a quarter of a centuiy 
Mr. Courtney has for twenty years been re- 



garded as a popular, enterprising and suc- 
cessful druggist here. Since 1845 '''^ '^'^^ 
made his home in Illinois. He was born in 
Monongalia county, West Virginia, March 
2, 1824, and comes of Irish lineage. His 
father, Robert B. Courtney, was a native of 
the Emerald isle and when a lad of ten sum- 
mers crossed the briny deep to the new world 
with his parents, who settled in Virginia. 
There he was reared and married, the lady 
of his choice being ]\Iiss Mary Courtney, 
who was a natixe of the Old Dominion and 
was also of Irish lineage. In the war of 
1 81 2 Mr. Courtney served his country and 
held the commission of major. He fol- 
lowed farming in West Virginia for many 
years and afterward removed across the 
mountains to Ohio, settling near Youngs- 
town, in Trumbull county, where he again 
took up farm work about 1829. It was in 
that locality that he reared his family. His 
home was in the midst of the green forest 
and cutting down the trees there he cleared 
a tract of land which he de\'eluped into rich 
and productive fields, making his home upon 
that place until 1845, \vhich was the year of 
his removal to Vermilion county, Illinois. 
Here he again became associated with 
pioneer conditions and a factor in pioneer 
work. He entered land here with a land 
warrant, becoming the owner of a tract 
in Middlefork township, upon which he spent 
his last days, passing away in 1866, when 
about sixty-six years of age. His wife sur- 
\i\-ed him for about three years. In the 
famil}' of this worth}' couple were nine chil- 
dren who reached years of maturity, Init the 
only ones now living are: J. B., of this 
review: and Mrs. Sarah Briggs, a widow, 
who is li\-ing in Kansas. 

In taking up the personal history of J. 
B. Courtney we present to our readers tiie 
life record of one whu is widelv and favor- 



942 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



I'bly known in \'erniilion county, for during 
llie titty-seven years of his residence here he 
has gained a wide acquaintance and has ever 
been honored b\- reason of his genuine 
worth. His boyhood days were spent in 
Ohio, wliere his school pri\ileges were limit- 
ed liecause the system of public education 
had scarcely been installed at that time and 
had in no wise reached its present stage of 
perfection. During the short period of 
winter he would attend school but during 
the remainder of the year he was engaged in 
farm work, his training in that direction be- 
ing in no way meager. 

When a yi'ung man he came to Illinois, 
where he was employetl at farm work for 
;.bnut twi) years and on the expiration of 
thai ])eriiid lie returned to Trumbull county, 
Ohio, to wed the lady of his choice. He was 
there married on the 26th of December, 
1847. to Samantha Gruey, who was born in 
that ci'unty and was a daughter of Henry 
CJruey. ni German descent. Her i)eople 
were early settlers of Pennsyh-ania, estab- 
hshing their home near Pittsburg. Henry 
Gruey became one of the first residents of 
Trumbull county, Ohio, antl in pioner times 
bore an active part in the early de\elopment 
of that section of the state. After his mar- 
riage Mr. Courtney located in Trumlnill 
county, which remained his place of resi- 
dence for eight A'ears, when in 1855 he re- 
turned to \'ermilion county. Here he pur- 
chased his father's farm, locating thereon. 
He further improved the place, living there 
for twenty years. He then came to Poto- 
mac, being one of the first to establish a 
home in the village. Here he embarked in 
the drug Ijusiness and also conducted an im- 
plement business and since that time he has 
been one of the active merchants of the town. 
He now carries a good stock of drugs and 
medicine, paints, oils and varnishes, and has 



a very enxiable reputation because of his 
honorable dealing, his reasonable prices and 
his earnest desire to please his patrons. 

In 1890 Mr. Courtney purchased a lot 
and built his [irestnt residence, where he 
and his wife dispense cordial h(jspitality 
to their many friends. The}' are the parents 
of three children, of whom the eldest, J. B. 
Courtney, grew to mature years and was 
married. He was associated with his father 
in Ijusiness, but died on the 21st of Septem- 
ber, 1899. C. F. Courtney, the second son, 
died in 1879, at the age of twenty-five years. 
Effie A. became the wife of Lewis \Vill)er, 
a business man of Potomac, and died in 
April. 1899, leaving one son, Harold C. W'il- 
ber, who now makes his home with his 
grandparents. 

Originally Mr. Courtney was an old line 
Whig and cast his first presidential ballot 
for Zachary Taylor. He was identified with 
lli.'it party until i860, since which time he 
has been an earnest Republican. He was 
elected and served for two terms as justice 
of the peace, has also been assessor, collector, 
and fur eighteen vears commissioner of high- 
ways, proving most loyal to the trust reposed 
in him. Frequentlv he has been chosen as a 
delegate to county conventions. For eight 
years he has been police magistrate and over 
the record of his official career there falls 
no shadow nf wrong nor susi^icion of evil. 
He and his wife arc both members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church and he was one 
of the charter members of the Masonic 
Lodge of Potomac, in wliich he served as 
secretary for a number of vears. He has 
resideil almost continuously in this county 
for fifty-seven years and therefore deserves 
to be classed among its honored jiioneer res- 
idents, for it was in the day of its primitive 
development that he located within its 
borders. lie is well known in Danville, in 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



943 



Potomac and in northern and eastern por- 
tions of the county, and is respected by all 
with whom he has been associated because 
his Hfe has been honorable; his course man- 
ly; his actions sincere and unaffected. He 
and his wife celebrated their golden wedding 
on the 26th of December, 1897, and their 
children with their families were present. A 
year later many of their friends surprised 
them on the anniversary of their wedding 
by visiting their home and leaving behind 
them many substantial tokens of good will 
and esteem. They have now traveled life's 
journejr together for fifty-five years, shar- 
ing with each other in the joys and sorrows, 
the adversity and prosperity which has come 
to them, their mutual lo\e and confidence 
increasing as the years have passed by. 
Their lives have been so ordered and directed 
that they ha\e won the confidence and re- 
gard of all with whom they have been asso- 
ciated and there are no more honored or 
respected residents in Potomac than J. B. 
Courtnev and his wife. 



EVERETT C. SMITH 

Everett C. Smith, who is engaged in gen- 
eral farming on section 18, Elwood town- 
ship, was born September 28, 1879, in this 
county, and is a son of Francis P. and Sarah 
J. (Canaday) Smith. His paternal grand- 
father was a native of Tennessee, and at the 
age of eighteen years came to Vermilion 
county, Illinois, in 1832, in company with 
his parents, a settlement being made on what 
is still known as the Smitli farm. Here 
he was reared amid the wild scenes of fron- 
tier life and on reaching his majority he mar- 
ried ]\Iiss Elizabeth Hester, who was his 
neighbor. Among their children was Fran- 



cis P. Smit-h, who was born in Elwood town- 
ship and is now forty-eight years of age. 
He wedded Miss Canaday and they began 
their domestic life on the old home farm 
where they continued to reside until 1897. 
In that year they removed to Ridgefarm, 
where they are now living. Mr. Smith was 
the eldest of six children, the others being 
Mrs. Mary J. Canaday, of Indianola ; Isaac 
E., now deceased; Mrs. Amanda Mills, of 
Vermilion Grove; P. H., who is cashier in 
the bank at Vermilion Grove; and Mrs. 
Delia Peck, of Yankee Point, Illinois. Mrs. 
Smith was the second of seven children, her 
brothers and sisters being John, who is liv- 
ing in Georgetown ; Charles, who resides at 
Ridgefarm ; Mrs. Annette Mills, deceased ; 
Mrs. Sophia Snapp, of Rochester, Indiana ; 
J. Rice, who is living in Georgetown; and 
W. O., who makes his home in Georgetown 
and is an attorney of Danville. 

Mr. and Mrs. Francis P. Smith became 
the parents of four children, the eldest of 
whom was the subject of this review. The 
others are, Mrs. Ethel Forbes, who is now 
twenty-one years of age and resides at Ridge- 
farm ; and Noble and Orrin, who are fifteen 
and thirteen years of age, respectively, and 
are attending school. In the common 
schools Everett C. Smith acquired his 
preliminary education which was supple- 
mented by study in Vermilion Grove Acad- 
emy. Pie remained at home until twenty- 
three years of age, assisting in the cultiva- 
tion and further development of the farm. 
He was then married to Miss Cora M. Can- 
aday, the wedding taking place on the i8th 
of June, 1902. The lady is a daughter of 
John I*", and Emily Canaday, of Vermilion 
(irove, her father following farming. She 
was born October 24, 1878, and has four 
sisters : Mrs. Grace L. Walthall, of Quaker, 
Indiana; Carrie J., Florence and Flora, who 



944 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



are still with their parents. Mr. Canaday 
and his brother Henry were both soldiers 
of the Civil war. When he volunteered 
her father was but a bo_\- and was twice 
brought back home, but each time he ran 
away again to rejoin his company and at 
length was permitted to go to the front. 

Mr. Smith is identified with the Quaker 
church and is a Democrat in his political 
aftilialions. while fraternally he is con- 
nected with the Modern Woodmen of 
America. He is a young man possessing 
the enterprising spirit which dominates the 
west, and in his business affairs is meeting 
with creditable success. Both he and his 
wife are popular residents of the commun- 
ity and ha\'e many friends in the county 
where ihev ha\e always lived. 



HIRAM HAYNES BOLLES, 

Hiram Haynes Bolles was born in 
Cooperstown, New York, October 19, 1850, 
and is a son of Elisha A. and Clarissa (Pad- 
dock) Bolles, who were also natives of the 
Em])ire state. The father followed merchan- 
dising in his early life and during the last 
twenty years of his earthly career he devoted 
liis time and energies to the practice of 
medicine. He passed awav in July, 1900. at 
the age of 80 \e;u"s. while his wife died in 
iS(mj. in their familv were four children 
of whom lliram M. is the third in order of 
birth. One sister, Martha L., became the 
wife of William P. R(.)ss. a resident of 
Da\-enport. Iowa, and at her home in that 
city she passed away. The other members 
of the family are Mrs. Mary D. Saxton and 
W. P. Bolles. After the death of the mother 
of these children Dr. Bolles was again mar- 
ried and bv the second union there were three 



children. The Doctor spent his last days in 
Missouri, having removed to the west some 
time prior to his demise. 

Hiram Haynes Bolles obtained his early 
education in the common schools of his 
native state, but at the age of seven years 
acc(ini])anied his i)arents on their removal 
westward and completed his education in 
Illinois. He afterward engaged in merchan- 
dising in \-arious places, including Chi- 
cago. Bloomington and Rockford. He came 
from Bloomington to Danville in 1894 and 
here opened up his present business, that of 
merchant tailoring. In the years which 
ha\'e since come and gone he has secured a 
liberal and constantly growing patronage 
and to-day occupies a leading and cretlitable 
position in business circles. He has had a 
practical education in the line of his chosen 
calling and is now located at Xo. 50 Xorth 
\'ermilion street, where he carries a large 
and carefully selected line of gooils and em- 
ploys good workmen. 

On the 15th of March, 1S77, Mr. Bolles 
was united in marriage to Miss Clara .\. 
Saxton. a n.itive of .\lniont, Michigan. 
Their marriage was celebrated in (."liicago 
and has been blessed with two chiklren, 
Addie I., and Harry H. Mr. Bolles is a 
member of Bloomington Lodge Xo. 43, P. 
& A. M., is also connected with the Modern 
\\'oodmen of .\merica, the Improved Order 
of Red Men ami the Royal L'ircle, while in 
])olitics he is a Democrat. He served for 
one term as a member of the city council 
in Bloomington. but has never been a poli- 
tician in the sense of office seeking. ])re- 
ferring lo devote his time and energies to 
his business affairs. He belongs to the Pirst 
Baptist church and is chairman of its board 
of trustees. Mr. Bolles has a finely balanced 
mind and well rounded character. He ]ws- 
sesses a gtiodly supply of that tlesirable 




H. H. BOLLES. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



947 



commodity — common sense — and this he 
appHes not only to his business but to tlie 
various relations of life and as a citizen he 
is loyal and progressive, upholding every 
measure and movement which he believes 
will contribute to the general progress and 
material advancement. 



HIRAM H. CATLETT. 

The subject of this sketch is one of A^ir- 
ginia's native sons, — the state which has 
furnished so many honored presidents of the 
United States. He was born on the 21st of 
October, 1823, in Charlottesville, four miles 
from the residence of Thomas Jefferson. 
His grandfather owned the land on which 
the University of Virginia now stands. He is 
a son of Lawrence T. and Sally (Harmon) 
Catlett, both natives of V'irginia, the latter 
born in Stanton, in which city she was reared 
and married. After their marriage this 
couple located in Charlottes\-ille. remaining 
there until 1828. Mr. Catlett, Sr., was edu- 
cated for a lawyer, but not liking that pro- 
fession he learned the saddler's trade. In 
1828 he went to Tuscumbia, Alabama, and 
remained there a short time, removing thence 
to \\'inchester, Tennessee. He remained 
there for two years and then returned to 
Charlottesville, Virginia. He remained 
there until 1835, when he went to Blooming- 
burg. Ohio. He there remained until Octo- 
ber I, 1846, when he came to Vermilion 
county, Illinois, arriving here on the i8th of 
Octol>er, T846. Here he engaged in farm- 
ing. His death occurred July 2, 1861. He 
was a Baptist in religious faith, a member 
of the Masonic fraternity and a stanch Dem- 
ocrat in political affiliations. He had been 
master of the lodge at Charlottesville, Vir- 



ginia. He was a man of noble characteris- 
tics, benevolent to a fault, almost. He con- 
sidered it his bounden duty to share a part of 
his earnings and wealth with his fellow men. 
No one ever came to him in distress that he 
did not receive immediate assistance. As 
a consequence of his extreme benevolence, 
the great wealth which he at one time pos- 
sessetl was de\oted to charit\', leaving him 
in only moderate circumstances in his de- 
clining years. In times when he was not so 
fortunate he would gather his family round 
him and ask for assistance from the Omnip- 
otent giver of all good things. He wottld 
quote from the passage of scripture "Once 
I was young but now I am old, Init 1 ha\-e 
never seen the righteous forsaken or his 
seed begging bread."' His prayers were cer- 
tainly answered, for he died in comfortal.)le 
circumstances. The nobility of his charact- 
er was made manifest in manv deeds of kind- 
ness and acts of benevolence toward his fel- 
low- men and he was ever an earnest Chris- 
tian man, and it may be said of him as of the 
just men of old, "He walked with God." 
His loving wife died January 10, 1871, ten 
years after the death of her husband. They 
were the parents of twelve children, six girls 
and six boys, but only two are now living : 
Virginia, the wife of Dr. Charles Lamon, of 
Fairmount, Illinois, and the subject of this 
review. 

Hiram H. Catlett attended school in 
Charlottesville, Virginia, in a log structure 
taught by William Smithson. He contin- 
ued his education in Ohio after his father 
had removed to that state. His studies were 
conducted during the winter UKinths, while 
in vacation he assisted his father until he 
was twenty-two years of age. He then told 
his father he had faith in the advice of Hor- 
ace Greeley, which was, "Go west, young 
man, and grow up with the country." He 



948 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



proposed to follow this advice and his father 
v.nd brother Harold accompanied him. They 
located in \'ermilion county, near Fair- 
mount, Illinois. On his first arrival he spec- 
ulated in hogs and thereby lost al! he and his 
brother possessed, besides three hundreil dol- 
lars of borrowed money. However, they 
continued in the stockdealing business, buy- 
ing' and selling hogs and cattle. In the year 
1857 Mr. Catletl had bad success in that 
line, but bis creditors refused to crowd him. 
Adversity only made him work the harder 
and the first year after this he made a pav- 
meiit of ten per cent, on his indebtedness 
and finally he succeeded in paying it all. In 
the meantime, he had with his brother ac- 
cumulated (n-er fifteen hundred acres of 
land and also a large am(_>unt of stock. He 
now owns eight hundred acres of valuable 
land. The management of this he controls, 
but it is divided among his children. Mr. 
Catlett has experienced both good and bad 
fortune, but in both he has retained his pres- 
ence of mind and his unfaltering energy has 
enaliled him to succeed. He is thoroughly 
a self-made man, but possesses pluck, .self- 
reliance and endurance to a great degree. 
Xot only is he distinguished by reason of his 
landed piissessions, but also by the good 
name he has won through fair and honorable 
dealing with his fellow men. He has pat- 
ronized nine difl:'erent colleges in giving his 
children college educations. Xot t)ne of his 
boys uses tobacco in any form or spirits or 
liquor of any kind. His family is one of 
which to be proud, and his home is a large 
and attracti\c residence situated on a high 
knoll of land. gi\'ing it a picturesque appear- 
ance, and from his home he can view his 
Avell tilled fields ;nid well filled barns and 
granaries. The brother of ]\lr. Catlett also 
became well-to-do and died Mav i, 1002. 



In 1865 alone he lost sexenteeen thousand 
dollars on hogs, and in 1875 '^^ 'o^t ten 
thousand dollars in corn and wheat. He 
was one of the most shrewd manipulators 
of farm land deals in Vermilion county. 
.\t one time be made a profit of over five 
tlKjUsand dollars by winning a case which 
was taken through five courts, in regard to 
some swamp lands that he had entered. 

On the 13th of October, 1858, near Fair- 
mount. Jllinois. Mr. Catlett was united in 
marriage to Lorinda Roudebush, who was 
born June 6. 1838, a tlaughter of Daniel and 
Ruth (Shotwell) Roudebush. Her father 
was a native of Germany and her mother 
was Ijorn in Clermont county, Ohio, in which 
county they were married and located, liv- 
ing there until bis death, which occurreil in 
1843. The mother then married William 
Sailor. They came to \'ermilion county in 
1856 and his wife jjurchased a farm upon 
which they made their home until their 
deaths. Mr. Sailor died in Oakwood, Illi- 
nois, and his wife passed away in 1864. 
She was the mother of eight children. Un- 
to Mr. and Mrs. Catlett have l>een born six 
children, four of whom are lixing. Nellie 
is the wife of D. C. Adams and thev reside 



in \'ance li>\\nshi 



George R. is a farmer 



of \'ance township. Percy L. is in the bank- 
ing business at Escanaba, Michigan: and 
Corrinne is at home with her father. .Mr. 
("atlelt is a meml)er of the ISaptist church, of 
which his son George is trustee. In jjolitics 
he favors the F'rohibition party, but on ques- 
tions of national importance sup])orts the 
]3emocratic party and is a great admirer of 
William Jennings Bryan. He is a man of 
good health and fine constitution, is a bril- 
liant conversationalist and is verv popular 
in his community, connn.'uiding the esteem 
and respect of all. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



949 



will]a:\i g. dobbins. 

William G. Dobbins is the senior mem- 
ber of the firm of Dobbins & Lohr, tin, slate 
and gravel roofers, also sheet metal furnace 
workers, doing business at No. 22 West 
Main street, in Danville. They are both 
young and enterprising business men, whose 
efforts add to the industrial activity and con- 
sequent prosperity of the city. Mr. Dobbins 
was born in Knox county, Ohio, April 6, 
1872, and was only about a year old when 
brought to Danville by his parents. His 
father was Samuel Dobbins a son of Samuel 
Dobbins, Sr., a native of New York city. 
The grandfather made his start in the busi- 
ness world by laying brick, later by speculat- 
ing in property. He accumulated a con- 
siderable sum of money and early in the 
nineteenth century he removed to Ohio, 
where he purchased land and upon that in- 
vestment he realized a good margin. He 
then came to Illinois and purchased what 
was at that time considered to be the only 
coal lands in the state. He became one of 
the first settlers of the northwestern part of 
Danville township, now known as Tincher- 
ton, but for many years the district was called 
Dobbins farm. He paid four dollars per 
acre for this land which has since sold for 
one Inmdred dollars per acre, while to-day it 
is valued at one thousand dollars per acre. 
At the time Mr. Dobbins engaged in mining- 
coal from his farm, customers came a dis- 
tance (jf from sixty to eighty miles to get this 
fuel, camping out along the way during the 
journey. Land adjoining his farm, before 
its value was recognized, sold for ten dollars 
per acre for the timber tracts and twelve 
dollars per acre when it included both timber 
and land. Samuel Doljbins, Sr., was a most 
enterprising, progressive business man, very 
fortunate in his investments because of his 



energy and keen foresight. He gained a 
handsome competence but never selfishly 
hoarded his means, being a liberal contrib- 
utor to churches and to missions. He be- 
queathed a fund of forty thousand dollars to 
the Presbyterian Mission Board. In the 
early development of Vermilion county he 
was a veiy important character, taking an 
active part in its substantial upbuilding and 
improvement and leaving the impress of his 
individuality upon the early policies of this 
portion of the state. 

Samuel Dobbins, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Ohio and was reared on 
the home farm. At the time of the Civil 
war he offered his services to the govern- 
ment and was sent out with the boys in blue 
of Company C, One Hundred and Twenty- 
fifth Illinois Infantry, with which he served 
lor four years. At the battle of Missionary 
Ridge he lost his left arm. Through ten 
)'ears he engaged in the coal trade in Dan- 
ville, doing a retail business as well as mak- 
ing extensive shipments. He was united 
in niarriage to Minta Jane Bond also a native 
of Ohio, and both are now esteemed and 
honored residents of Danville. 

\Villiain G. Dobbins, whose name intro-# 
duces this record, came with his parents to 
Danville in 1873 and at the usual age he 
became a student in the public schools, there- 
in acquiring a good knowledge in the English 
branches of learning that fitted him for life's 
practical duties. In his youth he served an 
apprenticeship to the tinner's trade and in 
1889 he embarked in business on his own 
account in connection with William Lohr, 
as a member of the firm of Dobbins & Lohr. 
This firm has since enjoyed a continuous ex- 
istence in which a large trade has been 
gained. They take and execute extensive 
contracts for slate and gravel roofing and 
lor sheet luetal work as well as the placing 



950 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



of furnaces. Tlieir patronage is now large 
and protital)le for they have gained a leacUng 
position in this line of commercial activity in 
this city. 

In 1S94 Mr. Dobbins was unitetl in mar- 
riage to ^liss Lena Hastings, a daughter of 
John Hastings, and they iiaxe one child. 
Leonard. Mr. Dol)bins belongs to the Mod- 
ern Woodmen of America and he and his 
wife hold mem1)ership in the Kimber Metho- 
dist Episcopal church. Their circle of 
friends in the community is extensive and 
the hospitality of Danxille's Ijest homes is 
extended to them. 



\V1LLL\M RAY JEWELL. 

W. R. lewell was born in Tavlorville. 
Kentucky, .August 7, 1837; remo\cd with 
parents to Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1841 ; 
early education in log schoolhouses from 
Hoosier school masters. Learned the trade 
of printer in Terre Haute and also studied 
law, getting books and kind instruction 
from that grand old man. Colonel R. W. 
Thoiuijson. Taught school several terms; 
went to Xorthwestern Christian Lhiiversity, 
Indiana])olis. now lUitler College, Irvington. 
Indiana. When the war of the sixties came, 
he made siiecches for the I'nion cause and 
bel])ed to recruit scxeral regiments. En- 
listed in the Seventy-second Indiana Infantry 
as private, promoted to lieutenant ; w.'is in the 
famous Wilder lirigade of nioiinled in- 
fantrv. 

Lieutenant Jewell was one of sex'eral 
soldiers in the front who were sent home 
on recpiest of Ciovernor .Morton in the sum- 
mer of T863, to give two months in speak- 
ing and explaining to good but wavering 



citizens, that the emancipation proclamation 
and proposal to enlist negro troops were 
necessary for saving the Cnion and saving 
lives of Union troops. 

Governor Morton ga\e Lieutenant 
Jewell a Captain's commission, stationed at 
Indianapolis. He liked field duty better and 
went to the Seventh Inchana. Army of the 
Potomac. He was in many skirmishes and 
battles, including battles of Erankfort, 
Kentucky, Crab Orchard. Iliints\ille. Ten- 
nessee, Stone Ri\er and all the bloody bat- 
tles of the wilderness and siege of Rich- 
mond. He was one of six brothers who 
were in the Cnion Army, three of whom 
lost their lives and two others were dis- 
abled for life. His health also was much 
broken. 

Mr. Jewell finished his classic college 
course after the war and entered the min- 
istry of the Church of Christ, in wliich he 
was successful: on account of his liberal 
\-iews he resigned as preacher and took up 
news])aper work, established the Dan\ille 
News, weekly and Daily, and has edited 
it for almost thirty years. The paper is 
a recognized power in the Republican party. 
He also aided to organize the Illinois Print- 
ing Comjjanv, Dan\ille. and was an officer 
in the comjiany for years, l>eing secretary, 
president and manager. Mr. Jewell is an 
able s])eaker and has taken ])art in all Re- 
])nl)lic,in campaigns since 1856. casting his 
hrst vote for .\braham Lincoln : was elector 
for Garfield, 1880. Harrison, 1888, and Mc- 
Kinley in 1 Si/). Has been chairman of the 
X'ermillion county Republican central com- 
mittee for about thirty years: been a long 
time a familiar figure at state and national 
con\'enlions. and is so skilled in drawing 
plat tonus that he is called ''Old Resoluter."' 
He has been the close personal friend and 
counselor of Hon. Joseph G. Cannon, the 




W. R. JEWELL. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



953 



distinguished representati\'e of the Danville 
district, during his poHtical career. He is 
much in demand as an all round orator for 
political, fraternal. Chautauqua and other 
addresses; is also called upon to talk at 
funerals of liberal people and is res'arded by 
many as a pastor at large. All classes antl 
kinds of people come to him and pour into 
his sympathetic ear their tales of trouble and 
disappointment. He is yet active though suf- 
fering from diseases contracted in the army. 
He is a devoted home maker and considers 
their famil}' of seven children, all grown, 
five boys and two girls, the crown of wealth 
and glory of his noble wife and himself. 

Mr. Jewell has well and efficiently served 
the city of Danville as postmaster under 
Harrison, Cleveland. AIcKinley and Roose- 
velt. The first appointment made by Pres- 
ident McKinley was that of him as post- 
master of this city. In his conduct of the 
office he has known no man's politics. His 
object has been to give the people the best 
possible mail service and he has accomplished 
his purpose. 

Mr. fewell, next to Mr. Cannon, has 
been the controling force in shaping the pol- 
icy of the Republican party in this district 
since the '70s. In controversial politics he 
has been a gladiator that the party has 
constantly called to the forum. He has met 
many foemen worthy of his steel, and they 
have always felt it. His friends regard Mr. 
Jewell as one of the most fertile men of 
this state. The emergency has never arisen 
that he could not meet. Often the central 
committee has been disappointed in the 
coming of some famous speaker. Mr. Jewell 
promptly took his place, and the audience 
has usually been thankful for the disappoint- 
ment. On one occasion, it is said, he spoke 
five hours to hold the crowd until the speaker 



came, and the crowd stayed with him. 
Great gifts were showered upon Mr. Jewell 
as a speaker and he has always made splen- 
did use of them. He is forceful, clear and 
logical. He speaks from a mind well stored 
and a heart running over with the milk of 
human kindness, and never fails to convince 
the intellect or touch the heart and sympa- 
thy of his hearers. His fund of illustrative 
stories is as illimitable as Lincoln's and he is 
as ready in applying them. He has kept 
audiences in hearty laughter, sober thought 
or sympathetic tears on almost every ros- 
trum in this state. In politics, Mr. Jewell 
is a general as well as a leader. In his long 
service as chairman of the county central 
committee, he has so handled matters as to 
avoid conflict in the party. 

In the first McKinley campaign, he 
could have carried this county against in- 
struction for McKinley, but the unity of the 
party was of more consequence than victory 
on his part, so he permitted the instruction 
to carry. He has been able to see trouble 
a long distance ahead and thereby avoid it. 
In this community Mr. Jewell has been a 
great force for good, he is kind hearted, con- 
siderate and forgiving. He has constantly 
stood for good citizenship, pure politics, the 
school house and the church. 

Without doubt he could have been gover- 
nor of this state, and when the matter was 
seriously proposed to him, he said: "I can't 
raise my boys right and be governor. God 
ga\e me my boys and I -will stand by them". 
Without ambition for himself he has con- 
stantly lent a kind and attentive ear to the 
aspirations of others. By his personal ex- 
ample, his speeches and the Dan\ille News, 
William Raj- Jewell has left his permanent 
impress on Vermilion county and the state 
of Illinois. 



954 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



WILLIAM F. KEENEY. 

William Eletcher Keeney, a resident 
farmer of Catlin township living on section 
34, was born on tlie ist of October, 1843, 
in Vermilion county, a mile and a quarter 
northwest of his i)resent home, lie is a 
son of Thomas H. Keeney, who was ix^rn 
on the 1 2th of March, 1803, near the vil- 
lage of Lewisburg, in Greenbrier county. 
West Virginia, and after arriving at years 
of maturity was married in that state to 
Miss Elizabetii Caraway, born March 31, 
1810, in Greenbrier county, West Virginia. 
In the year 1831 they came to Vermilion 
county. At that time the country was new 
and unbroken and full of game. The fa- 
ther of our subject first rented land and later 
purchased some school land, constituting 
the farm upon which the subject of this 
review was born and reared. Throughout 
his residence here Thomas H. Keeney car- 
ried on agricultural pursuits and also en- 
gaged in tlie raising of graded stock, both 
branches of his business returning tn him 
a good income. In his family were nine 
children, six sons and three daughters, all 
of whom reached years of maturity with the 
excepticjn of one that died in infancy. Our 
subject was the se\enth in order of birth 
and his sister, "Sirs. Amanda Carnes, resides 
on the adjoining farm to the west of his 
present home. Both parents are now de- 
ceased. Their children were: H. F., 
David, John .\., Lucretia V., James T., Jo- 
seph .S., William V.. Mary E., and Amanda, 
now Mrs. Carnes, all of whom are now de- 
ceased except W. F. and Mrs. Carnes. 

In a manner similar to that of most boys 
of the period William F. Keeney \vas 
reared, working on the farm through the 
summer months while in the winter seasons 
he attended school. Throughout his entire 



life he has engaged in agricultural pursuits 
and he began earning his own li\ing by 
managing his father's farm which he con- 
trolled until after the father's death. He 
continued to live on the home place and 
later purchased fori}- acres of his present 
hiinic just west of the town of Catlin. He 
now owns a valuable tract of three hundred 
and forty acres, well drained and tiled and 
supplied with all modern equipments, ac- 
cessories and conveniences. He raises large 
quantities of grain and he also has good 
pasture lands which furnish feed for his 
stock. He handles about forty head of cat- 
tle annually, and this materially increases 
his income. The first plow which he saw 
used had a wooded mold board and corn 
was cultivated with the single shovel. He 
never wore anything but home made cloth- 
ing tnitil he was a young man of about six- 
teen years, and the various experiences, 
liardships and trials of frontier life became 
familiar to him. However, in his business 
career he has prospered and as the years 
Iia\e passed his hard work and careful man- 
agement have brought to him a very desira- 
ble income and a handsome competence. 

On the 13th of October, 1880, Mr. 
Keeney was united in marriage to Miss 
I\lary A. Richards, who was born in Floyd 
county, Indiana, July 16, 1850, and is a 
daughter of James and I\Iary Richards, who 
removed from Indiana to Vermilion county, 
settling in Georgetown township. Mr. 
Keeney has witnessed almost the entire de- 
\olopment of this portion of the state. Flis 
father droxe to the county in a co\ered 
wagon drawn by horses, and it rec)uired 
several weeks to make the tv\\->. but at length 
he reached his destination and settled at the 
edge of the timlier in an old log cabin on the 
farm of Charles Caraway. Chicago was 
then the ni;irket. and Eugene and I'ercival 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



95S 



on the Wabash, for Danville was but a vil- 
lage. j\Ir. Keeney can remember when 
West Main street in Danville was over- 
grown with jack oaks and hazel brush. The 
incoming settlers, however, soon wrought 
a change in all this and in the work of de- 
A-elopment, impnn-ement antl progress \^er- 
milion county has kept abreast with other 
portions of the state. Mr. Keeney is a sup- 
porter of the Republican party in which he 
has firm faith since attaining his majority. 
He and his wife attend the Methodist church 
of Catlin and he served on its building com- 
mittee at the time of the erection of its house 
of worship. For a number of years he has 
been a member of the Fair Association, for 
three years he was its vice president and for 
ten years one of its directors, serving in the 
former position at the time the association 
was abandoned. In Catlin Lodge, M. W. 
A., in which he holds membership, he has 
held office, and both he and his wife are 
connected with the Royal Neighbors. They 
are people of genuine worth, widely known 
in this locality, and their friends are manv. 



W. A. BROWN, M. D. 

Numbered among the practitioners of 
Danville, the public has passed favorable 
judgment upon the ability and labors of Dr. 
Brown, who was born in Knoxville, Tennes- 
see, April 9, 1830, his parents being Francis 
G. and Mary (Bell) Brown, the former a 
native of Virginia and the latter of Tennes- 
see. They were married in Knoxville and in 
1838 came to Illinois, settling in Macoupin 
county, where the father engaged in farm- 
ing. Subsequently he removed to Chester- 
field, this state, where his death occurred in 
1876. In politics he was a life-long Demo- 



crat and he was a member of the Baptist 
church. His wife died in 1SO4, and he af- 
terward married again. Of the nine chil- 
dren born of the first union, the followins 
is the record : Elizabeth, deceased wife of 
George S. Huskey; John H., a resident of 
Carlinville, Illinois, who married Martha 
Huskey, now deceased; Malinda, deceased 
wife of Joseph Rafferty, of Fort Worth, 
Te.xas; W. A., of this review; Kate, wife of 
Elisha Harbor, of Barton county, Missouri ; 
L. M., who served three years in the Civil 
war, being slightly wounded in the famous 
three days' fight at Sliiloh, and died in Los 
Angeles, California, where he was then 
making his home; Mary Jane, who was 
married and is now deceased ; Laura and 
Harriet, twins, the former the widow of 
Charles Saunders and a resident of Green- 
field, Illinois, and the latter the wife of John 
Leach, of Chesterfield, Illinois. 

Dr. Brown began his education in a sub- 
scription school held in an old log house in 
Knox county, Tennessee, and following the 
rejiioval of the family to ]\Licoupin county, 
Illinois, he pursued his studies in the com- 
mon schools until eighteen years of age, af- 
ter which, he engaged in farming with his 
father until he attained the age of twenty 
years. Subsequently he carried on farming 
on his own account for two years and next 
entered the Iowa L'niversity as a student in 
the Keokuk Medical School. This was fol- 
lowed by study in McDowell College of St. 
Louis. In the inter\al he had practiced 
medicine to some extent and he later located 
in Renick, Missouri, a station on the Wa- 
bash Railroad in Randolph county, where 
he remained in practice until 1862. He 
was then appointed assistant surgeon in the 
First Provisional ^Missouri Regiment and 
was in active service in Missouri, remaining 
in the armv for two and one-half vears. 



956 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Dr. Brown arrived in Danville in 1864 
and opening an office continued an active 
and successful representative of the profes- 
sion in tliis city until 1887. wlien he removed 
to Los Angeles. California, where he made 
his home until the fall of 1893, when he re- 
turned to Danville and has since continued 
in this city. 

On the 8th of January, 1850. in Ma- 
coupin county, Illinois, occurred the mar- 
riage of Doctor JJrown and Miss Martha 
Frazier, a daughter of William Frazier, a 
nati\e of North Carolina, while the mother, 
whose name was Malinda Gallagher, was a 
nati\e of Tennessee, in which state she gave 
her hand in marriage to Mr. Frazier. He 
is a saddler hy trade but afterward engaged 
in farming. His political support was given 
the Whig party until its dissolution, when 
he became a Republican and his religious 
faith was indicated by his membership in 
the Society of l'"riends. He died in Iowa 
in 1S89, at the age of eighty-four years and 
his wife passed away in 1879 at the age of 
sixty-four years. In their family were eight 
children, of whom four are yet living. ]\Irs. 
Brown is among the deceased, her death 
having occurred in California, July 2S, 
1888, her remains being interred in Ever- 
green cemetery of Los Angeles. She had 
become the mother of three children, two 
of whom survive her : Monroe, who is en- 
eaeed in the liverv business in Danville: 
and Frank, who resides in California. He 
was married in California and has two 
daughters. 

The Doctor is a stalwart Republican and 
lias alwa>-s had firm faith in the principles 
of that party. He has twice served as a 
member of the city council. Formerly he 
was connected with various medical socie- 
ties and he still belongs to the Vermilion 
Countv Medical Society. His long practice 



of an im])ortant and varied character has 
made him a man of broad experience and 
capability and Dr. Brown well deserves 

nienti'in auMug the leading representatives 



of his calling. 



A. G. SMITH. 



A. G. Smith, who is living on section 5, 
Middlefork township, and is familiarly 
called "Al" by his numerous friends in 
Vermilion county, is at the present time de- 
voting his energies with success to the work 
of stock-raising and feeding. His landed 
possessions aggregate fourteen hundred 
acres and thus he is one of the extensive land 
owners of the community. His farms are 
situated near Potomac and from the property 
he derives an excellent income. 

\ native son of the county, Mr. Smith 
was born in Ross township, June 6, 1855. 
His father, John Smith, was one of the first 
settlers to come from England to this portion 
of the state, having crossed the Atlantic in 
company with Abraham ?klann. Both of 
these gentlemen are rqjresented on another 
page of this work. The father of our sub- 
ject was known as "English" John Smith, 
a title which distinguished him from others 
of the name in his i)art of Illinois. Pros- 
l)crous in business, he owned hundreds of 
acres of valuable farming land and was one 
of the prominent, intluential and repre- 
sentative farmers and stock-raisers of the 
county. 

L'lxni the old homestead A. G. Smith 
of this review s])ent the days of his boyhood 
and voulh. It is nut bard to imagine what 
kind of a boy he was. He pursued his 
education in the schools of Rossville and 
Danville and during the summer months he 




JOHN SMITH^ (ENG) 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



961 



worked in tlie fields, lacing early trained to 
habits of industry and enterprise — for these 
facts are shown forth in his subse(|uent 
career. He remained with his father until 
he had attained his majority and assisted in 
caring for the home farm. In Danville, on 
the 7th of October, 1875, '^^ ^'"'^ '^s a com- 
pani(.)n and helpmeet for life's journey Miss 
Lizzie Wilkie, a daughter of James Bruce 
Wilkie, \\ho was a native of Scotland and on 
coming to the new world located first at 
Madison. Indiana, where he reared his family 
and spent the last days of his life. 

Mr. and Mrs. Smith began housekeeping 
upon a farm near Bluegrass. where he had 
six hundred and forty acres of land which he 
cultivated and further improved, making his 
home there for twenty-two years, and in 
1899 he rem.o\-ed to the old family home- 
stead, taking charge of the place. Here he 
has built two residences and has remodeled 
the old house. He also erected barns and 
substantial outbuildings and in connection 
with general farming has made a lousiness 
of raising and feeding st(jck. fattening for 
the market from one to two hundred head 
of steers and a large drove of hogs annually. 
He is justly accounted one of the successful 
agriculturists and stock men of Vermilion 
county and his ])rosperity is well deserved. 
for be is energetic, possesses laudable 
ambition and strong determination in carry- 
ing out his plans. 

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children. 
John Curtis, the elder, is married and fol- 
lows agricultural pursuits on (jue of his 
father's farms. Laura is the wife of Hugh 
M. Luckey. a prominent farmer of Middle- 
f(_irk township, where be is now serx'ing as 
supervisor. They ba\-e two children — .\lvin 
J. and Pauline. 

His fellow townsmen. recogn.izing his 
worth and ability, called Mr. Smith to 

38 



public office and for five years he has served 
as township trustee. He is now filling the 
position of commissioner of highways, and 
he has freriuentiy been a delegate to the con- 
ventions of the Republican party, of which 
he is a stanch advocate, having thus fol- 
lowed in the political footsteps of his father. 
His extensi\'e business interests have made 
heavy demands upon his time to the exclus- 
ion of a great amount (jf political work, yet 
he never falters in performing any task that 
he feels will promote the welfare and pros- 
perity of bis native county. He is leading 
a busy, useful, active and iKjnorable life and 
is one of the intelligent and highly respected 
residents of Middlefork tiiwnship, and well 
deserves mention in the history of Vermilion 
C(3initv. 



CAPTAIN S. S. IRWIN. 

Prominent and active in public affairs 
Captain S. S. Irwin is serving his third term 
as postmaster of Rankin and is well known 
as a business man of Vermilion county, 
where he has lived for ab(iut twenty-three 
years, while his residence in the state covers 
forty years. The Captain is a native of 
Ohio, his birth having occurred in Brown 
cijunty, August 6, 1835. He comes of a 
family of Scotch-Irish ancestry, representa- 
tives of the name emigrating from Ayrshire. 
Scotland, to the new world in the year 1667. 
They settled in Honeybrook. Pennsylvania. 
and New Jersey. John Irwin, the great 
grandfather of our subject, was born in 
Honeybrook and emigrating westward be- 
came one of the pioneer settlers of Ohio. 
Robert, the grandfather of our subject, was 
born in Brown county. Ohio, and served his 
country as a soklier in the war of 181 2. 
He lived in the Buckeye .state when the In- 



96: 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



tlians were there in great numbers, the work 
of progress and improvement being scarcely 
Ijegun. Almost the entire region was a \ast 
wilderness and in the work of dc\elopment 
and impro\ement he bore his part, aiding in 
laving broad and deej) the foundation for 
the future i)rosperit_\' and inipro\-emcnt of 
his county. His sou, John Irwin, the father 
oi our subject, was lx)rn in Ilnnvn county 
in 1810 and after arriving at years of ma- 
turitv he nirn"ried Jane iiratton. whose hirtli 
occurretl in Highland county, Ohio, and who 
was the daughter of John Bratton. also an 
honored pioneer settler and of English ances- 
try John Irwin was a farmer 1)y occupation 
and reared liis family in Brown county, where 
he spent his entire life, passing away in 1882, 
at the age of sevent\--two years. His wife 
died in 1848. In their family were eight 
children, three sons and fi\e daughters, all 
of whom reached maturity. One son, Will- 
iam K.. was a soldier of the Eiglitv-third 
Ohio Infantry and died at Hempstead, 
Texas, in 1884. Amither brother of our 
su])ject, Joseph ( i. Irwin, nnw resides in 
\\'illiamsburg. Ohio. 

Upon the old family homestead in the 
state of his nativity Captain S. S. Irwin was 
reared. He had good school advantages. 
liis preliminary education being su])i)le- 
mented by a course of study in Lebanon 
Xornial scliool. Later lie engaged in teach- 
ing in Clermont county. Ohio, and then 
came to Illinois, taking up his aboile in 
Dt)uglas county, this state, on the 30th of 
August, 1857. He was eniplcved as a 
teacher in the schools of Camargo through 
the succeeding winter and later was elected 
school commissioner of Douglas county for 
f<jur \-ears, but went into the ;irmy Ijcfore 
his term was up. During that time he and 
Congressman Joseph Cannon, then a candi- 
date for prosecuting attorney oi the coumy. 



and our subject, a candidate for school com- 
missioner, occupied the same office. Tiiey 
labored for their mutual success and became 
warm friends, their friendship existing to 
the present time. Successful in his election, 
Cai)tain Irwin filled the position of school 
CDUimissioner of Douglas county until the 
\.ar. 

He then felt that his duty was to his 
country upcm the lield of Ijattle and his .ser- 
x'ice was continued until the close of tlie 
war. He enlisted on the 10th of July, 1861, 
in the Second Illinois Cavalry and went to 
the south as a pri\ate. becoming a member 
of the department tif the .Mississippi. He 
participated in tlie battle of Bolivar and of 
Holly .Springs and at the last named ])Iace 
was captiu'cd but he managed td cut his w;iy 
out and rejoined his regiment, which re- 
treated to Cold \\'ater, but the next morning 
returned to the 1)attle-field and dro\e the 
rebels out of Holly Springs. Later Cap- 
tain Irwin ])articii)atcd in the siege and ca])- 
ture of \"icksbtirg. being present at its fall 
on the 41I1 ni July. 1863. In the fall of the 
same year he yiarticipated in the Red River 
campaign and was again with General 
Banks in iS6j. On the 30th of March, of 
the latter year, he was wounded at (Iraiul 
h'.core by a gun shot in the right elbow, which 
temporarily disabled him for field service. 
He lay in the hospital for a time and was 
then granted a 1ea\c of aljsence and re- 
turned home, where he remained for two 
or three months. He then rejoined his reg- 
iment at Ijatun Rnuge. Lduisiana, and later 
was in the siege of .Mobile. Spanish b'ort 
and Fort Blakely. The last named fort 
ca])itn1ated on the Otli nf April, 1863. and 
was the Last fight in which Captain Irwin 
took part. He had lieeu promoted to the 
rank oi orderly sergeant and afterward to 
first lieutenant and with that rank he did 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



963 



active fiekl service. In June, 1863, wliile at 
Vicksbiirg- lie was promoted to the rank of 
lieutenant and during tlie last part of the 
war he served as such in the commissary 
department at Apalachicola, Florida. He 
was three times wounded in defense of the 
old flag, and the regiment was mustered out 
January 3, 1866. Captain Irwin has every 
reason to be proud of his war record, for he 
ne\'er faltered in facing the enemv and 
though often found in the thickest of the 
tight he was ever loyal to the cause which 
he espoused. 

When the war Avas endetl he returned to 
INIattoon, Illinois, and for ten years engaged 
in farming in that locality. He was mar- 
ried in Mattoon, Feliruary 12, 1868. to 
Sarah Noyes, who was l)orn, reareil and 
educated in that locality. He took his bride 
to his farm and continued its cultivation 
until abi)ut 1880, when he came to X'ermil- 
ion county. Here he purchased a stock of 
general merchandise, which he placed in a 
store in Pelh-ille and in March, 1884, he 
removed to Rankin, where he has since en- 
gaged in business. He Ijegan operations on 
a small scale, but gradually he extended his 
business operations and added to his stock 
hardware and farm implements. As the 
years passed he built up a very prosperous 
business, which is now conducted Iiy his son 
and his partner under the firm name of Sloan 
& Irwin. The Captain became well known as 
a merchant and his industry and enterprise 
brought to him creditable success. 

The home of Captain and Mrs. Irwin 
has been blessed with three children : Anna, 
a well educated A'oung ladv, who is now a 
teacher in the \'anderl3ilt In<lustrial school 
at Bitmore, Xorth Carolina: William, a 
prominent business man of Rankin : and 
Annette, who is conducting a photograph 



gallery in Rankin and is also ser\-ing as as- 
sistant postmaster. 

In his political \-ie\\s the Captain has al- 
ways been a stanch Republican, having sup- 
ported the party since John C. Fremont be- 
came its first presidential candidate in 1856. 
He has never failed to vote for each man 
who has been at the head of the ticket with 
the exception of the year 1864, when, be- 
cause of his service in the army he could not 
cast his ballot. He has been elected many 
times as justice of the ]^eace of his township, 
serving" continuouslv and efficiently in that 
office since 1885. In 1889 he \\'as appointed 
postmaster under General Benjamin Harri- 
son, was again appointed by President Mc- 
Kinley and for a third term by President 
Roosevelt. Fie has frequentl}- ser\-ed as a 
delegate to county and state conventions and 
has put forth every effort in his power to 
]3romote the growth and insure the success of 
his party. Both he and his wife hold mem- 
liership in the Presbyterian church of Ran- 
kin and he also belongs to the Masonic fra- 
ternity, being identified with Rankin Lodge, 
A. F. & A. ]\I. : and Mattoon Chapter, R. A. 
M. He is also a member of the Grand 
Army Post at Hoopeston. In all life's re- 
lations Captain Irwin has shown himself 
to be a man of genuine worth, being ener- 
getic and trustworthy in Inisiness, loyal in 
citizenship and faithful to the ties of friend- 
ship and of the home. All who know him 
accord him high respect and be has a very 
wide acquaintance in this county. 



JACOB P. ELLSWORTH. 

Jacob P. Ellsworth, a retired farmer 
now identified witli the business interests of 
We.nville as a general merchant, represents 



904 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



one i)f ilic oldest families of \'emiilion 
county. His father, Sylvanus T. Ellsworth, 
first came to the connty about 1840 anil re- 
movetl his faniil)' to the home farm in Cat- 
lin township in 1854. The subject of this 
re\iew was born in Vermilion county, Jan- 
uary 8, 1847, li's parents being Sylvanus T. 
;md Zarekla (Graves) Ellsworth, the for- 
mer ;i native of Miami county, Ohio, am) 
the latter of Kentuck)-. During his early 
life the father ix'sidcd in the place of his na- 
tivity and was engaged in farming and log- 
ging there until 1840, when he came west 
to look al the country, helie\ing th;it it 
might pro\-e a good location f(.)r business 
ventures. He afterwanl returned to Ohio 
and soon again came to \'ermilion county 
and was here married. Later he removed 
with his family to J^ewiston, Illinois, where 
he resided for a }ear, working out by the 
day during that ])eriod. Once more coming 
to \'ermilion county he residetl in George- 
town township for about three years and 
then took up his abode on the old family 
homestead in Catlin township, where he 
spent his remaining d.'ivs, with the exce])tion 
of two years, during which he lived at W'est- 
ville with his daughter. Throughout this 
period he de\oted his energies to agricul- 
tural ])ursuits, in which he met with gooil 
success. His wife died in 1887 and he was 
called to his final rest on the T2th of August, 
1901. 'J'hey were the parents of se\en chil- 
dren : Mary E., the wife of Israel Bur- 
roughs, of Danville; Margaret, who became 
the wife of William Currants and died in 
1885; Jacob r., of this re\-iew : Sarrdi, the 
wife of William D. Parker, a farmer living 
on section 6, Georgetown township; Eveline 
M., the wife of George Watson, a contractor 
of Danville; Levi Lincoln, who married 
Minnie Hodge and is living on the old 
homestead in Catlin township; and Cather- 



ine, the wile of William C. Dukes, who was 
formerly engaged in the butchering busi- 
ness, but is now a carpenter of Georgetown. 
TIk; common school afforded Jacob P. 
I'.llsworth his educational privileges and af- 
ter leaving the school room as a student he 
engaged in teaching in Danville township 
at the McMillan school house in 1870. He 
was employed in this capacity for si.xteen 
months and in 1871 was the teacher in the 
Brooks Point school. Jn the winter of 1872 
he had charge of the Rouse school, after 
which he returned to the McMillan school 
for one term. He afterward took up his 
abmle on the old home farm, where he lived 
for ,-.'. year and in 1871 he came to Westville, 
erecting the first store building in this place. 
Here he conducted a general store for a 
short time and then established another store 
in 1880, which he carried on for a short! 
period and then sold out. He afterward 
ga\-e his attention to agricultnrrd jiursuits 
until 1889, when he accejjted the clerkship 
in the Kelly store of Westville, where he re- 
mained for two years. In 18(^1 he erected 
his present store Iniilding and has since been 
engaged in general merchandising. He 
likewise owns seventy acres of land in 
Georgetown township and carries on gen- 
eral fanning and in comiectit)n with his 
store he owns one hundred and ten acres oi 
the home farm in Catlin township, which is 
rented to his brother. 

Mr. Ellsworth has been twice married. 
I le first w edded Sarah O'Neal, of \ernnl- 
ion count)-, a daughter of Isaac O'Neal, one 
of the first settlers here. She died June 21, 
1888, leaving two children: Austin, who 
married May Lash and is living near West- 
\ille; and Lola B., at home. I'^or his sec- 
ond wife Mr. P^llsworth chose Mary Donlon. 
of Dainille, a daughter of Anthony Donlon, 
who is now deceased. Thev have one son. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



965 



Ralph Anthony Sylvanus. Tlieirs is a 
pleaant and attractive home in W'estviUe. 
Mr. Ellsworth was the first police magis- 
trate of this place and held the office for 
four years. He is now assistant supervisor 
of his township and has held other minor 
positions. In politics he is a Republican 
and belongs to the Christian church of 
W'estviUe, while his wife is a member of the 
Catholic church. He has been very success- 
ful in his business and is widely known 
throughout this part of the count}-. He 
comes of an old and [irominent family and 
his own record is in iiarmonv with the hon- 
• )red name which has ever l)en borne by the 
Ellsworths in this portion of the state. De- 
pendent .upon his own resources from his 
boyhood days he has been the architect of 
his own fortune and has buildetl wisely and 

well. 

« » » 

PATTEN M1.MROD. 

.V creditable military service, success in 
business and loyalty in citizenship — in these 
few words might he summed up the life rec- 
ord of Patten Himrod, but the interest which 
his many friends felt in him justifies a more 
extended account of a life that, while free 
from exciting episodes and from ostenta- 
tion and dis]ilay, yet was rich in all the 
nobler qualities that command respect and 
awaken confidence. Mr. Himrod was born 
in Waterford, Pennsylvania, January 20, 
1839, a son of David and Abigail (Patten) 
Himrod, the former a native of Massachus- 
etts and the latter of Maine. Eor many 
years they resided in Waterford, Pennsyl- 
vania, where the father was connected with 
the iron industry, operating a lilast furnace. 
There he li\-ed until his death, which oc- 



cm"red in 1S80, his remains being interred 
in the Waterford cemetery. In early man- 
hood he ga\'e his political support to the 
Whig party and upon its dissolution he 
joined the ranks of the new Republican 
party, v.-hile socially he was identified with 
the Knights of Malta. After his demise his 
widow removed to Chicago, Illinois, where 
she passed away in IQOO, her remains, how- 
.c\-er, being interred by the side of her hus- 
band, in Waterford, Pennsylvania. In their 
family were ten children, all of whom 
reached mature years, while those still liv- 
ing are : Phebe, a resident of Chicago ; 
(Charles, who married Alice Judson and is 
the vice president of the Himrod Coal Com- 
pany, his home being in Waterford, Penn- 
svlvania: Katy H., the wife of Thomas B. 
Biggers, who resides in Chickasha, Indian 
Territorv: Kirk, of Waterford, Pennsyl- 
vania; Gertrude, the wife of Thomas A, 
Ilagerty, of Chicago; and Bernard, who is 
the president of the Hinu-od Coal Company 
and li\es in Waterford, Pennsylvania. 

Patten Himrcjd oljtained an academic 
education in his natix'e town and after put- 
ting aside his text books he filled the posi- 
tion of bookkeeper for his father, thus hav- » 
ing charge of the accounts of the blast 
furnace. He remained in that position until 
twentv-one vears oi age, when he deciiled to 
seek his fortune in the west and made his 
wav to St. Louis, Missouri. There, in July, 
1860, he enlisted in the military service of 
the government, as a member of Company 
A, Second United States Infantry, and was 
sent to I'ort Abercombie, in Dakota, where 
he remained until the outbreak of the Civil 
war. The regiment was then ordered to 
the east, where he served until the expira- 
tion of his term in 1862. After his dis- 
charge he returned to W aterford. His fa- 



966 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



llier was a personal friend of Gosernor Tod, 
of Ohio, and that executive had Mr. Him- 
rod organize anotlier regiment of volun- 
teers, of which he became first sergeant of 
Company D, One Hundred and i'"ifth Ohio 
Infantry. He remained with that regiment 
until the close of the war and from time to 
time won promotion and distinction, being 
commissioned captain on the loth of July, 
1863. In the latter part of 1864. in Geor- 
gia, he was captured and was sent to Colum- 
bia, South Carolina. Sherman was at that 
time on tlie march to the sea, and the rebel 
forces had to continually keep mosing or 
their prisoners would have fallen into the 
hands of the L'nion troops. In ?tlarch, 
1865, Mr. Himrod was paroled and taken 
to Annapolis, Maryland, where he was ex- 
changed, being at that place at the time of 
the assassination of President Lincoln, 
whose funeral he attended. .\ few days af- 
ter he was exchanged General Lee sur- 
lenilered and word was rccei\-ed that all 
ofificers wliii were not wiUi their regiments 
might resign. This Captain Hinu'od did, 
and t)nce nujre he took up his abode in W'a- 
terford. Pennsylvania. 

.\t that jjlace he engaged in business 
with his cousin, William Plimrod, opening 
a harilware store which they conducted until 
1870, in which year the Captain removed 
to Woodson countv, Kansas. Later he took 
up his abode near W'infield. Kansas, where 
be engaged in farming. He had several 
land claims in that state and removing to 
Rice couiU\' he sellleil at a town then called 
Peace, :dthongh the name has since been 
changed to Sterling. There he embarked 
in the drug business and after a few years he 
was appointed to till nut the unexpire.l term 
of county treasurer antl at the next regidar 
election he was chosen for a full term. He 
proved a capable officer and u\nm his retire- 



ment from the position he was elected ca.sh- 
ier of the Bank of Sterling, the town hav- 
ing changed it.^ name in 1876. 

On the 0th of June, in that ])lace. Cap- 
tain Himr(jtl had been united in marriage to 
Miss C lara Lac_\-. who was born near In- 
dianapolis, Indiana, September 2. 184J. 
They began their domestic life in Peace, 
Kansas, and Captain Himrod continued his 
connection with the bank which in 1S84 was 
merged into the l^^irst National Bank and 
he remained with the institution as its cash- 
ier until 1898. lie then became a resident 
of Chicagi) and accepted the position of sec- 
retary and treasurer of the I linirod Co:\\ 
Comi)any. In Ma_\', 1900, he remo\ed to 
Danville, where be resided up to the time 
of his death, which occurred September ]o, 
1902, his remains being interretl in Spring 
Hill cemetery. 

I'ntii Mr. and Mrs. HinuMd had been 
born but one child. David, who is re])re- 
sented on another page of this work. Mr. 
Plimrod was an earnest Republican and was 
townsbiii treasurer of Sterling towiishi]) in 
Kansas for mauv _\ears. He belonged to the 
Masonic fraternit}- hax'ing been made a Ma- 
son in Prie, Pennsyh'ania, in 1868. and 
after taking the degrees of the lodge he ad- 
vanced in the order until he became a 
Knight Templar. \'arious oflicial honors 
were conferred ujion him ])y the craft and in 
his life he exem])lilied its noble and benefi- 
cent teachings. A man of excellent business 
aliility he had keen foresight and sound 
judgment and added Largely to his income 
through dealing extensively in cattle and 
land. Wherever he went Mr. Ilinirod won 
friends. It wnuld be almost imitossible to 
find line who did not entertain for him re- 
gard, while many gave to him a nuicli 
warmer exjjression of esteem. Indolence 
and idleness were utterlv forei"'n to his mi- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



967 



ture, nor was inertia manifest at any time, 
liis career being one of progress, accom- 
plishment and aih'ancement. 



JOHN W. OSMAN. 

Joim W. Osman is the sexton of W^jod- 
lawn cemetery, the beautiful "city of the 
dead" which is situated at Indianola, in Car- 
roll township, Vermilion county, Illinois. 
This position he has filled since 1889. He 
was born September 6, 1840, in Coshocton 
county, Ohio, and is a son of Ellis and 
Levina (Coy) Osman. The father fol- 
lowed farming f(jr a li\ing and died in 
Madison county, Indiana, in 1864. from a 
fever. The mother also died from fever, 
near West Bedford, Coshocton county, 
Ohio. She was born in Vevay, Indiana, in 
1813 and died in 1841. She had two sisters, 
JMelinda Maxwell and Mary Jewell, and five 
brothers, Levi, Alonzo, Elisha, William and 
Lorenzo. Ellis and Levina (Coy) Osman 
were the parents of three children : Andrew 
and John W., twins, and Hannah. Andrew 
and Hannah both died in infancy. 

John W. Osman of this review spent the 
days of his boyhood and youth in the usual 
manner of farmer lads of tlie period, enjoy- 
ing the pleasures as well as performing the 
duties which came to him. When the coun- 
try became involved in Ci\'il war, he re- 
sponded to the call for troops and enlisted in 
the Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, on 
the 1 2th day of February, 1864, remaining 
in the service until the end of the war and 
receiving an honorable discharge, July 28, 
1865. He participated in the battle of the 
wilderness, Spottsylvania, Xye River, North 
Anna River, Bethesda church. Cold Harbor, 



Poplar Grose church, Pegram Farm, Hatch- 
er's Run. Fort Stedman, and Petersburg. 
Virginia. Throughout his entire service he 
was a valiant soldier and nobly fought in 
defense of the old flag and the cause it repre- 
sented. When the war was ended he laid 
down the weapons of war and entered upon 
the life of a private citizen, in which capa- 
city he has performeil his duty so capably 
and well, as when upon the battlefields of 
the south he followed the starry banner of 
the nation on to triumphant victory. 

On the 16th of Alay, 1869, Mr. Osman 
was imited in marriage to Serelda [Martin, 
a daughter of Benjamin ]\Iartin, Sr.. a farm- 
er of Westville. Illinois. She had six broth- 
ers and six sisters, of wdiom four brothers 
and five sisters have passed away, those still 
living being Benjamin, a resident of Indi- 
anola, Illinois ; Andrew, a resident of Ar- 
kansas ; and ]\lrs. Frances Henderson, of 
Danville. Levi, Alexander, John \\'illiam 
H., Mary and Marinda are deceased. Mr. 
and Mrs. Osman have one son, Alva H., 
who is now twenty-seven years of age and 
assists his father in his work. 

Mr. Osman is now sixty-two years of 
age, but is as healthy and active as a man* 
of forty, and he performs his duties as sex- 
ton in a manner which wins the approval of 
all. The grounds of the cemetery are well 
cared for by him and the plants, trees and 
shrubs, which are tastefully arranged, are 
the recipients of his watchful attention. He 
is an enthusiastic member of Charles A. 
Clark Post, G. A. R., of Ridge Farm, Illi- 
nois, and thus maintains pleasant relations 
with his old army comrades. He delights to 
indulge with them in reminiscences of that 
great struggle for the preservation of the 
I'nion. and he is, as is natural he should be, 
very proud <if his war record. He is held 



968 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ill tlie lii^li regard and esttc-ni of his fellow 
lownsmen as is indicated by liis long incnni- 
hency in his present position as sexton of 
Woodlawn cemeter\'. 



iloX, jOSl'i'll (;. CANNON. 

[We have to thank Colonel W. H. Jewell, the life 
long friend of Mr. Cannon, for the following sketch.] 

josepli (i. Cannon, Repuljlican. of Dan- 
ville, was born at (juilford. North Carolina, 
May 7. 1836, is a lawyer; was state's at- 
torney of Illinois from March, 1861, to De- 
ceml)er, 1868; was elected to the forty-third, 
fourili, fifth, si.xth, se\'enth, eighth, ninth, 
liftieth. iifty-first. third, fourth, bflh, sixth, 
scxenth and re-elected to the tifty-eighth, 
receiving twenty-two thousand nine hun- 
dred and forty-one \'Otes to fifteen thousand 
t\\(i hundred and fifty- four for H. C. Bell. 
Denidcrat. and clc\en hundred and sixty-six 
for X. J. \\ right. Prohibitionist. 

Such is the brief statement in the Con- 
gressional Directory of the fifty-seventh 
congress. This is characteristic of Mr. Can- 
non, who is modest beyond his merits and 
puts little value upon incidents of life. Be- 
ing asked by a magazine writer for an au- 
tobiography, his reply was characteristic : 
"1 was born of (jod-fearing and man-loving 
parents: 1 made myself and made a poor job 
of it.' While ]\Ir. Cannon so estimates 
himself it is well known that he was a sound 
acorn cast into good ground from the bough 
of a morally and physically healthy oak; 
that while his growth has been slow in the 
storm and stress of life, in the oi)en. beneath 
the broad sky; yet his every fiber is of tough 
oak, fit for the keel of Old Ironsides ; that 
he is now one of the tallest and grandest 
among .\merican statesman. The ai)i)cir- 



ance of the man denotes his character. His 
features are strong, intelligent and firm. 
I lis eyes are blue, his hair light, and in youth 
his cheeks were ruddy, and he bordered on 
the handsome. Since maturity and a full 
development of strength his features have 
become as rugged as those of Abraham Lin- 
coln, firm yet bene\olent. Indeed, he be- 
longs to the Lincoln type of man by birth, 
education and sentiment. 

His father was Dr. Horace V. Cannon; 
his mother's maiden name was (iulielma 
Hollingsworth ; both were of old Quaker 
families dating back through Revolutionary 
times to the days of George Fox. There 
w as a noted Quaker preacher named Joseph 
John Gurney. who came from England as 
a missionary, and Dr. Cannon was selected 
to travel with liim and thought so much of 
him that when the subject of this sketch 
was born he was named Joseph (iurney Can- 
non, which has been abridged into the fa- 
miliar name of J. G. Cannon. ]Ience Mr. 
Cannon bad a birthright in that church and 
from his youth up was trained in its simple. 
honest, noble principles, which ha\'e been, 
and are to-day, the solid foundation of his 
moral life and of his stanch Republicanism. 

I le grew to manhood on his father's 
farm, doing the ordinary work of farm boys 
of that day and attending districts schools 
in winter. Add to this a few terms in the 
academy of Professor I'arnabas Hobbs. in 
.\nnapolis, Parke county, Indiana, and that 
is the sum of his school education. Yet he 
is a man of wide reading and full of infor- 
mation. In his fourteenth year his father 
in .going to attend a ])atient had to ford Su- 
gar creek, which was much swollen, and he 
and bis faithful horse were drowned; iiis 
remains were never found, except a clavicle 
which his wife fondly kept and had buried 




J. G. CANNON 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



971 



with her l)0(lv at Tuscola a few vears ago. 

After clerking in a store at Annapolis 
for five years at two lutndred dollars a year, 
Joseph found that he had saved five huntlred 
dollars and with this fortune he went to 
Terre Haute and studied law with John P. 
Qsher, one of the best lawyers of the west ; 
thence he went to the Cincinnati Law- 
School. He had to econimize, of course, 
and he knew how and determined to suc- 
ceed. WHien his law course was finished he 
opened an office in Shelhyville , Illinois, 
where he became acc[uainted with such men 
as Judges Thornton, Moulton and others. 
His brother, William P. and his mother re- 
mo\'ed from Indiana to Tuscola and he 
joined them there and resumed the practice 
of his profession. He saiil to a friend, "I 
found the legal pasture very short and had 
plenty of time to study and I improved it. 
WHien I did get a little case I searched out 
all the authorities and went over it time and 
ag'ain with my imaginary opponent. I had 
a case at L^rbana in those days and walked 
from Tuscola to tliat place, with my coat 
on my arm, because I could make wages 
walking." 

At Tuscola he met Miss Mary Pamela 
Reed, who became his wife and whose coun- 
sel and keen intellect assisted him greatly 
in his career. Mrs. Cannon was a luagnifi- 
cent lady, elegantly educated, strong com- 
mon sense, lofty ideals, and gave her hus- 
band a steady and powerful support during 
those days of struggle, and after he became 
successful in life. She died in Danville in 
December, i88g, deeply mourned by a wide 
circle of friends and especially by Mr. Can- 
non and his two daughters. Miss Helen Can- 
non .and Mrs. Mabel Cannon LeSeure. 
Miss Helen, a noble and gifted lady, has 



been bis C(jnstant companion and lieljjer 
since the death of her mother. 

It was at Tuscola that Mr. Cannon had 
the first tussle with the foundation of his 
fiirtuue. He told the story himself as fol- 
lows : "We were as poor as church mice, 
we had to study strict economy. My moth- 
er, good economical Quaker soul, said to 
me, 'Joseph, now that thee is married thee 
must get thee a cow, a pig and a hive of 
bees.' I took mother's adxice. I tried to 
milk the cow, but she kicked me over and I 
had to give that up as a bad job. I tried to 
feed the calf, but it Initted me all around 
the yard and tore my clothes nearly off. 
When the bees were ready to swarm I 
thought T would go out among them like 
father used to do. and hive them ; the bees 
got all over me, crawled under my shirt and 
stung me in a hundred difYerent places and 
I had to let them go. The only thing 1 
could get along with at all was the pig. I 
could feed that, scratch its back and it would 
grunt. I got it good and fat and gave it 
away to a farmer; why, I could no more 
kill and eat that hog than I could one of the 
members of my own family; I thought too 
much of it." ( 

In i86i Joseph decided to run for state's 
attorney against Ward H. Lamon, at one 
time Abraham Lincoln's law partner, after- 
ward marshal of the District of Columbia 
and an officer of Lincoln's body guard. La- 
mon was quite popular and e.xtensively 
known ; Cannon was comparatively un- 
known. His friends tried to keep him from 
running but he had calculated and belie\ed 
he could win. While li\iug in Indiana he 
had attended the big yearly Quaker meet- 
ings in Vermilion Grove with his parents, 
traveling across the rough country in a farm 



972 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



\va<ri)n. He knew every Quaker family of 
conse(|uence in tlie region of Georgetown 
ami \'ermilion Grove. Tlie mud was terri- 
ble, the streams were high and without 
bridges, but he swam his horse across them, 
went into the Quaker settlement, made a 
house to house visit, told them who he was 
and what he wanted. The good old peojjle 
listened gravely and replied, "Yes. Joseph, 
we know thy good mother and father and 
will vote for thee." They were as good as 
their word and. to the surprise of every one. 
when the primary was over, Cannon was 
nominated by a good majority and subse- 
quently elected. This office he held until 
1868 and during the time became so well 
known that he \entured to run for congress. 

In 1872 he made his first race for con- 
gress in the ele\enth district. ci)ni])Osed of 
the following counties: Champaign, Coles. 
Douglas, Macon, Piatt and \'ermilion. His 
opponents in the convention which was held 
at Tolona, were General Jesse H. IMoore. 
then serving in cor.gress. Colonel J. W. 
Langley, of Champaign, and Colonel L)- 
man Guinnip, of Vermilion. On the first 
ballot Cannon had but fnur \'otes from 
Douglas. The \'oling ]irocceded with but 
little change but with much excitement to 
the thirty-eighth ballot, when \'ermilion 
gave her eight votes to Cannon; Coles ;nid 
Macon followed and the ballot stood Lang- 
ley seven. ]Moore four and Cannon twenty- 
six. His nomination was made unanimous 
with thundering applause. He was called 
and made a modest speech in which he 
spoke so kindly of his opponents that he wt>n 
them over. He was elected over his oj)- 
poncnt Jiid.ge William E. Xelson. of Deci- 
tur by a large majority. 

Mr. Cannon has been nominated every 
two years since 1872 and always by accla- 
mation, and been re-elected each time bv 



.good majorities except m 1890, the year of 
the great landslide, when McKinley and al- 
mfist the whole line of Rei)ul)lican congress- 
men went down. The ablest men in the np- 
position have been his ojiponents. including 
the elo(|uent, accomplished and brave Gen- 
eral John C. Black. That he has been nom- 
inated by acclamation since his first nomina- 
tion testifies to his great political common 
sense and management. 

The main elements of his strength are : 
1st. His hard common sense. He is a gen- 
ius of this type of men. He sees things as 
they are and knows how to meet them. 2d, 
His steadfast integrity. He never falsifies, 
pre\'aricates or shufiles. He makes few 
l)romises: he keeps tlio.se he makes. He 
never makes promises during a campaign. 
3(1. His knowledge of men. lie knows men 
as the most skilled merchant knows fabric; 
by the slightest touch. 4th, His .steadfast- 
ness to tried friends. He never uses a man 
to neglect him afterward. Xo man reine::i- 
bers services belter and reci|)rocates more 
fully. 5th, By his fairness and kindness to 
opponents. He has no feuds with any who 
desire to be friendly. One has to l)e a fussy 
man and fuss by himself who continues to 
fuss with Mr. Cannon. Pie prefers to have 
men with him this year who were against 
him last year. 6th. By his natural dono- 
cratic manners, which are ingrained. He is 
one of the peo])le in act ami speech. His 
con\ersation is full of homely illustrations 
from the fireside, the wayside, the shop. 
He enjoys a good joke and has a fund of an- 
ecdote rich and rare, which he tells as well 
as Joe Jefferson acts Rip \'an Winkle. 7th, 
His power as a speaker. While not elo- 
(|uent in word painting, yet he pours forth 
sound facts as a threshing machine ])ours 
forth clean golden grain w'here the yield has 
be?n an himdred fold. The substantial peo- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



973 



l)Ie who do the tliinking- and mold sentiment 
he:ir him with rapt attention. His clear cut 
facts gleam like new golden coin in their 
minds. He will no more misquote statistics 
or facts than the pious preacher would mis- 
quote holy writ. Now^ and then in his 
speeches he will tell a funny anecdote, but 
the great body of what he has to say is 
solid, sound and goes to the soul of affairs. 
"What does Cannon say about it?" is in the 
mouths of his constituents when a new 
question of importance arises. Long since 
they have come to trust in his knowledge 
and integrity for they know he is no dema- 
gogue or trifler but a real statesman. 8th, 
His eminent ability as a legislator. It is 
useless to enlarge on this. He is honest, 
faithful, forceful in congress. His political 
opponents acknowledge this. Mr. Cannon 
does not speak often in Congress ; but when 
he speaks he has the closest attention on ac- 
count of the matter of what he says. He is 
one of the few members in the house wdio 
instruct the members, and in whose state- 
ments they have confidence. "He is the 
ablest man in either branch on business stat- 
istics," is wdiat Speaker Reed and other 
members have said. During the stormy 
days of the '80s and '90s Reed, McKinley 
and Cannon were the big three who, as com- 
mittee on rules and as leaders, foug'ht and 
won great parliamentary battles. His \ong 
and able service, his generous nature and 
his eminent ability as a parliamentarian, has 
made him speaker of the next house ( the 
fifty-eighth Congress) by the unanimous 
choice of the Republican members. 

Mr. Cannon is strictly domestic. His 
house is a large, substantial brick, 418 North 
Vermilion street, Danville, presided over 
by his stately daughter, Mrs. Ernest X. Le- 
Seure. Here, in his great library, he spends 



much of his leisure time and with his tw(_) 
beautiful grandchildren wdiom he loves and 
spoils, little \ irgini'a and Helen LeSeure, 
while from its golden frame, with love-lit 
smile of wife and grandmother, looks down 
the gracious face of the noble woman with 
whom he made life's morning march, when 
their bosoms were young, and whom he 
often sees in his visions and dreams. 



JAMES A. FLE^HXG. 

This is pre-eminently the age of business 
activity. In no era in the world's history 
has energy been so entirely directed in the 
channels of trade, of commerce, of produc- 
tion, purchase and sale. Each community 
presents as its representative citizens men 
prominent in business circles and in Danville 
among this number is James A. Fleming, 
who is to-day at the head of the Fairweight 
Standard Scale Company. He was born in 
Stark county, Illinois, July 28, i860. His 
grandfahter, John Fleming, was born in 
New York, but comes of a family that doubt- 
less originated in Flanders, France, where 
the people are known as Flemish and un- 
doubtedly because of this the name Fleming 
originated. The more immediate ancestors 
of our subject, however, were residents of 
Ireland and from the Emerald Isle came to 
America, founding the family in New York. 
The grandfather married a jNIiss Hibbler 
and for a time they resided in Canada. 

A. H. Fleming, the father of our subject, 
was born in Canada and lived for a time in 
New Jersey, but when twenty-one years of 
age he came to Illinois, settling in Stark 
county, in 1856. There he married Miss 
Catherine Mcintosh, a native of that locali- 



974 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ty, and they lived upon a farm there until 
the fall of 1872, when they removetl to Iro- 
<|uois county, Illinois, residing' there contin- 
uously until 1880 with the exception of one 
year spent in Xeljraska and in Iowa. In 
1883 Mr. Fleming took up his ahode in the 
vicinity oi Hoopeston, X'ermilion county, 
and in 1893 located in the town, where he 
engagetl in the real estate and insurance husi- 
ness. He is now li\ing there and is a re- 
spected and worthy citizen. A Repuhlican 
in politics he has never sought or desired 
olifice. but is always interested in the pro- 
gress and welfare of his county, state and 
nation. He belongs to the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, in which he is serving as a trus- 
tee. His wife died May 24, 1890, and two 
of their sexen children have passed away. 
The live now living are: James A.; Will- 
iam A., of Milford. Illinois: Enoch, of 
Hoopeston: Allen T.. of Peoria; and 
Charles \\'., who is a ni.-iil clerk and resides 
in Paducah, Kentucky. 

lames A. h^leming pursued his education 
in Stark county and in lro(|Uois county and 
as an attendant of the schools of Milford, 
Me then entered the Grand Prairie Scmin- 
arv, at (Jnargo, Illinois, after which he pur- 
sued a course in the commercial college 
there and was gratluated in 1882. For 
seven years thereafter he resided upon a 
farm, which he continued to culti\-atc and ini- 
])rove anil later he was employed by the Til- 
gin National Watch Company a short time. 
He was also in the service of the Western 
Publishing l"i>mprm_\- of Chicago for a year 
and a half and later became local salesman 
for the firm of M. Hartman & Company, 
dealers in scales, of Grand Rapids, Michi- 
gan. He also sold windmills, his territory 
i^eing the state of Illinois, and he contimied 
in that business until 1896. In March, of 
that vear, Mr. I'leming established the l'"air- 



weight Scale Company, which was incorpor- 
ated June 14, 1900, for the manufacture of 
farm, elevator, stock and small platform 
scales. The business has grown to large 
])ro])ortions and the product is now shipped 
to every state in the L'nion. Mr. Fleming 
is the president and treasurer of the com- 
pany, while 1'. .\. h'leiuing is its secretary. 
The factory is located at No. 22-23-24 
I-'ranklin street, but in the spring of 1903 the 
C()m])any intend to build a .large modern 
factory to be thoroughly equipped with the 
latest machinery and accessories. They paid 
thirteen thousand fi\e hundred dollars for a 
tract of land, which has been subdi\ided and 
is now known as the Fairweight Standard 
Scale Company's Subdivision. The lots 
have been placed on the market and have al- 
leady secured a good sale. Mr. Fleming 
retains possession of two of these on which 
!k expects soon to erect a line residence. 

On the 25th of December, 1890, occurred 
the marriage of our subject and Florence 
Padgitt. who was born in Coshocton coun- 
ts Ohio, in i8r)o. a daughter of John L. 
and iClizabeth (Heaton) Padgitt. who were 
natives of Ohio and were married in that 
state. Her father engaged in the pottery 
business initil 1871, when he remo\ed to 
\'ermiIion county, Illinois, and here began 
farming. He was a Republican in ])olitics 
and was a loyal member of the .Methodist 
Episcopal church. In the family were three 
daughters of whom the living are: Mrs. 
I'leiriing and llelle, the wife of Robert Ih'ill- 
li;irt, who resides near Knoxville. in Marion 
county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. h'lcming now 
have three children: Charles Irving Eu- 
gene, born in Hoopeston, April i. 1892; 
Edith Leora. l.orn in Hoopeston. March 17, 
1895; and I'lorence Louise, born in Dan- 
ville. July _'<). 1S99. Mr. ]"'leming gives his 
])olitical -;up])ort to the Republican partv. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



l)Ut while he heheves firmly in its principles 
lie has always refused to become a candidate 
for office. He holds membership relations 
with the Modern Woodmen of America and 
in the Methodist Episcopal church and co- 
operates heartily in every mo\'ement which 
he believes will contribute to the general wel- 
fare. His own life history is one of pro- 
gression for he has continually advanced 
from the time when he completed his com- 
mercial course of study and entered upon 
his business career. He has watched every 
opportunity to take a forward step and has 
utilized them as they have been presented 
and through his unfaltering industry and 
persistency of purpose he has continually 
worked his way upward until he now occu- 
pies a leading position in industrial circles 
of his adopted city. 



GEORGE W. HOSKINS. 



George Washington Hoskins is nnni; 
bered among the native sons of Vermilion 
county and has reached the seventy-third 
mile-stone on life's journey. He was born 
three and one-half miles southwest of 
Georgetown near the little Vermilion river, 
Feburary 20, 1830. and at the prsent time 
he resides on section 7, Blount township. 
His father, Azariah Hoskins, was born in 
Virginia, August 17, 1799, and leaving that 
state emigrated to Illinois, starting fr^im 
what is called the horseshoe bend of the 
Ohio river. This was about 1825. His 
uncle Morg'an. building a boat in which to 
travel, they made their way down the Ohio 
river to Cairo. This was a flatboat and in 
consequence they had to float with the tide. 
On reaching Cairo they left the boat antl by 
covered wagon came to Vermilion county, 



after several weeks spent upon the road. 
The father of our subject settled on what 
A\as called Helt's prairie and later he re- 
moved to the vicinity of Georgetown, set- 
tling in the edge of the timber. He married 
Sarah Swisher and they lived in a district 
where the Indians were numerous and where 
the work of deN'elojiment and impro\-ement 
seemed scarcely begun. ]Mr. Hoskins of this 
review has often heard his mother relate 
how Indians visited their home at the time 
of the Black Hawk war. The country was 
all in a wild state when the father pur- 
chased a tract of land, in 183 1. and set- 
tled on the south side of what is known as 
Walnut Gro\'e, where the prosperous village 
of Rossville now stantls. When he took up 
his abode at that place there was only one 
family living in the entire grove and only 
one white family resided between that place 
au'.I Chicago. The city of the present day 
was l)ut little more than a fort which was 
garrisoned for protection against Indians. 
Azariah Hoskins hauled wheat to Chicago 
at that time, selling it for fifty cents per 
bushel, after which be wouKl return with a 
load of provisions and when night overtook 
him he would camp out by the roail, waiting* 
for the morning light in order to resume his 
joitrney. It was nothing then to have both 
horses stuck in the mud, for there were many 
sloughs and the district was very wet. The 
Kankakee and Irocjuois rivers iiad to be 
forded and from the Kankakee across the 
prairie for eighteen miles there was not a 
single house. Danville had only one store 
in it at that time. Mrs. Hoskins spun the 
flax and wool to make the clothing for the 
family for summer and winter use and the 
subject of this review never had a suit of 
anything but homemade clothing until he 
was twenty years of age, when he purchased 
some cloth, hired a tailor to cut it -and em- 



976 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ployed a neighljnr woman to make it. In 
tliese pioneer days there were no matclies 
and tile settlers used to pick \nmk in tlie tim- 
l)er and use flint and tow in starting- a fire. 
If their own fires were extingnisiied tiiev 
would often £^"o to a neighbor tt) borrow fire. 
In these early days corn sold for ten cents 
per bushel and other crops brought |)rices 
fully as low. Houses were liglited with tal- 
low candles, which were made Ijy di])ping a 
wick into melted talluw. After this was al- 
lowed to cool it was again dipped into the 
hot tallow and the process continued until 
the candle bad reached the recjuiretl size. 
Later, candle moulds were made prior to the 
inne when kerosene come into use. Ofttimes 
candles were I'astened to the bushes in the 
forest and around these the early settlers 
gathered ior the purpose of worshipping God, 
for religious services were held in the groves 
before churches were erected. Eater a log 
building was used bntli fur church and schonl 
liurposes and about 1840 a frame house of 
worship was erected in this neighborhood. 
The girls would carr\- their shoes to church, 
putting them 1 m just before entering the 
buikling and removing them immediately 
after the service, thus practicing economy. 
The church was a united one, all denomina- 
tions worshipi)ing there, but to some extent 
the people were bothered by the Mormons, 
for Joseph Smith with is band of followers 
had not then left this state for L'tah. Aza- 
riah Hoskins was a prominent and influen- 
tial man in his community and took an active 
part in the pioneer development of the state. 
I Ic died in his seventy-fifth ^ear and his wife 
passed away in her ninety-first year. In the 
fannly were eight children, of wlmm si.v. 
sons reached manhoml and \]vc arc vet living 
between the ages of sixty-two and seventy- 
two years. .\11 ha\-e reared large families 



and there are thirty-six grandchildren and 
eighty-three great-grandchildren. 

George Washington Hoskins was edu- 
cated in a log schoohousc with slab benches 
and a huge firei)lacc. L'pon the home farm 
he was reared and assisted largely in the 
work of develojiing and cultivating the place. 
The first i)low which he used had a wooden 
mold board and when he was eighten vears 
of age he used a plow with a single shovel 
'.iiadc by the blacksmith nf the commnnit\'. 
When he became a factnr in the fields reap 
hooks were just being d<ine away with and 
the cradle just coming into use and be has 
cradled grain many a time for a diillar per 
day. He has also split two hundred rails in 
a single day receiving fifty cents for his 
wcirk. He can also remember distinctly the 
old crane which hung nxcr the fireplace and 
from it was suspended the iron kettles in 
which the dinner was i)repared. This was. 
howexer, a great impr. i\cnient upon the old 
method of cooking in the ashes and when 
the cook sto\-es were introduced it was re- 
garded as a most wonderfid thing. Hos- 
pitality in tliose days reigned supreme and 
whole families would go on a \'isit to one of 
the neighbors, (^n the 7th of June, 1S67, 
George \\'. Hoskins purchased his father's 
farm and has remained here continuously 
since. He has also added to his landed pos- 
sessions and he now owns three hundred and 
fortv acres (>f the best imprnxed land of the 
county, all fenced and supplied with modern 
e(|uipments. He liroke one hundred .and 
twenty-three acres of prairie and made the 
•rails with which to fence bis place, going 
from eight to ten miles in order to secure 
the timber and then hauling the rails to his 
home. 

Mr. Hoskins was married April _>. 18^4, 
to ]\larv F,. Gritton. who was born in I'rke 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



977 



county, Indiana. January 29. 1831, and came 
to tliis county when ten years of age. Her 
parents were Amos and Elizabeth (Hoh) 
Gritton, the former a native of Kentucky 
and the latter of North Carolina. After his 
marriage Mr. Hoskins settled upon a farm 
in Ross township for which he paid six dol- 
lars per acre, there remaining until he pur- 
chased his father's old homestead. When 
he began housekeeping his uncle \-ouched for 
the payment of a set of chairs and a break- 
fast table to furnish the little log cal)in. The 
first cupboard was made by boring holes inti:) 
the wall with an auger and then upon wooden 
pins placing boards which would hold the 
dishes. Later he secured two boxes and. 
putting them on a Iilock. a curtain was hung 
in front and thus a cupboard was made. 

Unto Mv. and Mrs. Hoskins have been 
born nine children, one being still l)orn while 
another died at the age of seven months and 
a third died at the age of thirteen ye'\rs. 
They reared and educated six of their chil- 
dren, all of whom married and settled within 
six miles of the old homestead. These are; 
George R., who wedded Alice Eairchild; 
William C, who wedded Mary Hall: Theo- 
dore A., who married Carrie Huffman : J(jhn 
W., who married Mary E. Huffman; Sarah 
E., the deceased wife of Elijah Potter; and 
Harriet B., who became the wife of Henry 
Potter. Both of these men were sons of 
William H. Potter, an honored pioneer of 
Vermilion countv now in his eighty-seventh 
year. Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins ha\-e twenty- 
five grandchildren and there were five great- 
grandchildren, four of whom are yet living. 

Mr. Hoskins has served as tax collector 
and as school director and has been identi- 
fied with the building of the schools and 
churches of this localitv. Since 1876 he has 
been closely identifieil with the Church of 
Christ and has served as an elder for manv 



years, while formerly he was a trustee. In 
politics he has always been a Democrat, 
earnest in his advocacy of the party. Both 
he and his wife belong to the Old Settlers 
Association of Potomac and have attended 
many reunions. In e\ery sense of the word 
he has been one of the upbuilders of the 
county which he has seen developed from a 
wilderness to a district of highly cultivated 
farms and thriving towns and cities. Few 
of the native sons of the county have so long 
resided within its borders as ]\Ir. Hoskins 
and his life has e\'er lieen exemplary and 
may well serve as a source of inspiration and 
encouragement to others. 



JOH\ M.WHL'GH. 

John Mayhugh is li\-ing on section 10, 
Butler township, and is a representati\'e of 
the farming and stock-raising interests of 
this portion of \'ermilion county and he is 
well known. His farm here comprises one 
hundred and sixty acres of rich land near 
East Lynn. He was Ijorn in Alason county, 
Kentucky, near the Ohio river, December 23,# 
1833. His father. Fielding ]\Iayhugh, was 
a native of \'irginia, where the family had 
Iieen established at an early day. When 
a young man Fielding JNIayhugh removed to 
Kentucky, where he was married to Jane 
Dixon, a nati\'e of Mason county. He then 
devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits 
and it was upon the home farm there that 
the subject of this review was reared to 
manhood, early liecoming familiar with the 
work of field and meadow, as he assisted his 
father in the cultivation of the home place. 
After his father's death he and his elder 
brothers carried im the farm for a number of 
vears and subsenuently John Mayhugh pur- 



97» 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



chased a farm in I'leniing county, Kentucky, 
continuing' its (levclnpnient and im])rove- 
ment for some time. 

It was in tlie nionlii of October, 1S67, 
in Mason county, Kentucky, tliat Mr. M.iy- 
hugh was united in marriage to Mi.s> .Mice- 
Dye, who was horn and reared in that state. 
He carried on iiis farming interests in i'leni- 
ing county until 1877, in wliicli year lie re- 
moved to Vermilion couiuy, Illinois, pur- 
chasing" a farm upon which he now resides. 
This place was fairly well improved, hut he 
has since laid many rods of tiling and has 
further cultivated his land until it is now 
very rich ruid i)roducti\e, being a ])leasing 
feature in the agricultural landscape. Ik- 
has since bought one hundred and sixt\- acres 
on section 4, ;in improved farm which he 
owns in additiou to the home jjlace on section 
10, Ilutler township. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. M;\yluigli 
was blessed witli live children : Edwin, who 
is operating his father's land on section 4, 
Butler township; Isaac, who is a graduate 
of the Philadeli)hia Medical College and is 
now engaged in the practice of medicine in 
Indianapolis, Lidiana; Thomas (i.. who has 
recently completed a course of study in the 
Michi^gan University at .\nn .\rl)iir. having 
graduated in the class of k/J-' ; .Mary and 
Martha, who are at home and are graduates 
of the high school at lndianai)olis. 

In his political affiliations j\Ir. Mayhugh 
is independent. His first Note was cast for 
James Buchanan in J 836, his last for Will- 
iam McKinley in 1900, but he does not cdu- 
sider himself bound by party ties. He has 
been elected and served for one year as town- 
ship collector of Butler township. Inn the 
honors and emoluments of public office ha\e 
had no attraction for him. .\ friend <>f edu- 
cation he stands as an earnest adx'ocate of 
good schools and for years he capably served 



as a scIkvj! director. He lias for about 
thirty years been a devoted and loyal member 
of the Christian church and his aid and in- 
liuence are given in support of every measure 
which he belie\-es will contribute to the gene- 
ral good and to the uplifting of his fellow 
men. Mrs. Mayhugh. who was also a faith- 
ful member of that cliurch, died on the 1st 
(jf l'"ebruary. ujoji,, and was laid to rest 
in I'last Lynn cemetery. Mr. Mayhugh has 
led a life of industr_\' anil enterprise and since 
coming to X'ermilion county he has Ijeen con- 
nected with the work of development and im- 
pro\ement here, a work that has wrought a 
wonderful transformation e\i>l\ing the coun- 
ty from a district of swamps and slouglis 
into a splendid agricultural community. 



A. (i. I'HI-.Ll'S dod(;e. 

.\ cai)italist. now living a retired life in 
Danville, A. (i. Phelps Dodge is an hon- 
ored resident of the citv and one who has 
deep interest in her welfare and progress. 
Since attaining his majority his active co- 
operation has been a helpful factor along 
lines of advancement in every portion oi the 
countr_\- in which he has lived. His name 
figuretl \ery prominetuly also in business 
circles through a considerable jjcriod and 
his influence has been felt in ])olitical cir- 
cles, and yet Mr. Dodge has never sought 
to figure conspicuously Ijefore the public in 
any light, content to devote his time to the 
supervision of his in\-ested interests and to 
give his attention to a consideration of the 
momentous tiue.stions which are shaping 
the trend of .\merican history. He is, 
however. ;i m;in of bro;id humanitarian prin- 
ciples and of deep human sympathy and 
those who have had occasion to gain an in- 





^. i^. ^^^^. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



981 



sight into this side of his nature speak of 
him in terras of highest praise. 

Mr. Dodge was born in New York city, 
August 25, 1834. His ancestral history is 
one of close and long connection with the 
early annals of America and hack through 
several centuries in England can the records 
be fo\ind which tell of the connection of his 
ancestry with affairs of importance on the 
"merrie isle." A patent, bearing date of 
April 8, 1306, states that "Peter Dodge, 
gentleman of the town of Stopworth, coun- 
ty of Chester. England," did such loyal and 
valiant ser\-ice for his sovereign, Edward 
I, that he and his heirs forever were en- 
titled to "have, enjoy and use" a coat-of- 
arms. Cheshire was the original English 
home of the family. The first ancestor in 
America was William Dodge, who arrived 
in Salem, Massachusetts, July 10, 1629, and 
he was known by the title of "Mr." which 
was conferred only upon persons of prom- 
inence and moral worth. From William 
Dodge and his brother Richard have sprung 
families to be found in almost every state 
of the Union, and the representatives of 
the name have won honor in the various 
wars of the coimtry, have gained distinction 
in various walks of life and have recorded 
their opinion upon the legislative history of 
the states and the congressional records of 
the nation. It would be to intrench upon 
the pages of history to give a detailed ac- 
count of the public service of the distin- 
guished members of the family. One of the 
most eminent men of the nation, however, 
was the father of Anson G. Phelps Dodge, 
who was a well known philanthropist and 
merchant of New York city; also member 
of congress for a number of years from that 
state. 

A. G. Phelps Dodge came to Danville 
in 1886 and was married to Miss Rose 
39 



Voorhees, a daughter of Peter and ]\lary 
A'oorhees. He is now living a retired busi- 
ness man, but has contributed to the real 
estate interests of Danville and to the im- 
pro\'ement of the city. In former years he 
was largely interested in the lumber business, 
both in Canada and the United States. 
For nine years he was a resident of Canada 
and during that time served as a member 
of parliament in 1872 and 1873. He is a 
man of considerable wealth — large-hearted 
and generous. Of broad education and ex- 
tensive knowledge, of innate culture and 
breadth of view, his personality has gained 
him friends where\er he has gone. He oc- 
cupies an attractive home in Danville and 
from this point supervises his invested inter- 
ests, while enjoying with his wife the com- 
panionship of a large social acquaintance.' 



AMOS SMITH WILLIAMS. 

So prominently and acti\ely was Amos 
Smith Williams connected with the business 
activity and substantial development of Dan- 
ville that no history of the state would be 
complete without mention of his career. He 
was born here, August 22, 1831, a son of 
Amos Williams, who was of German ances- 
trv and who came to Vermilion county at an 
early date. The father was one of a family 
of five children. He came to Vermilion 
county at an early date in its upbuilding and 
development and, settling in the village of 
Danville, took an active and helpful part in 
the work of early improxement. He was 
also prominent as a leader in political affairs, 
held almost every office within the gift of 
the people of the county, was one of the 
early surveyors, also served as county clerk 
and was the first postmaster of Danville. 



982 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



In his family were six children: Maria 
Louise, born at Butler Point, \'ermilion 
county, February 22, 1827; Benjamin 
Franklin, born in Danville, April iq, 1829; 
Amos S., who was the third in order of 
birth; Charlotte E., born in Danville, De- 
cember 30, 1833; Mary Julie, born in this 
city. January 12, 1836; and Enoch A.. Ixirn 
here July 15, 1838. 

Amos S. \\'illiams of this review accuiiretl 
early education in the schools of X'ermilion 
county and continuetl his studies in Paris. 
Illinois. At an early age he became inter- 
ested in business as a hardware merchant. 
He spent seven years in California and upon 
his return to Illinois opened a hardware 
store. He was afterward engaged in the 
queensware and coal business extensively 
lor a number of years, but his last years were 
spent in honorable retirement from labor. 
His carefully managed mercantile interests 
had brought to him a handsome competence. 
He was also associated with many other im- 
portant business affairs of the city — enter- 
prises, which not only promoted his individ- 
\ial success but also contributed In the gene- 
ral pro.sperity. He possessed keen discern- 
ment and \vas cjuick to recognize business 
opportunities and whatex'er he undertook 
he carried forward to successful completion. 
He was instrumental in establishing and con- 
ducting the Iroii \\'agon W'orks, one of the 
early factories of the city, also the Starcli 
\\'orks and a box factory, and he was the 
vice-president of the first street car company 
organized in Danville. All his efforts thus 
ied to the substantial upbuilding and im- 
provement of the city. He possessed in- 
domitable enterprise, marked sagacity and 
reliable business judgment and these cjuali- 
ties proved of great benefit in carrying on 
enteqirises of general worth. At the same 
time his carefully conducted affairs brought 



to him a splendid financial return and in the 
closing years of his life he was enabled to 
enjoy a well merited rest, surrounded by all 
of the comforts and many of the luxuries 
which go to make life worth the lix^ing. 

On the 15th of February, i860, ilr. 
Williams was married to Miss Sarah Jane, 
a daughter of George Greyson, and a native 
of Danville, born October 19, 1835. Her 
father came to \ermilion county as one of 
its early pioneer settlers and died when his 
daughter was only seven weeks old. He 
was of English birth and in early life crossed 
the Atlantic to America. A gentleman of 
sterling worth, of strong individuality and 
marked strength of character, he command- 
ed the regard and confidence of all with 
\\ hi )m he was associated. In his family were 
fi\e children, but only two are now living. 
Both yiv. and Mrs. Greyson were devoted 
members of the Methodist church. 

The home of Mr. and ]\Irs. Williams was 
lilcssed with five children, of whom one died 
in infancy. The others are: Lennie, born 
April 2^. 1862 ; Ernest, who was born Nov- 
ember 5, 1864, and died July 18, 1873; 
\'iclor. born IMay 20. 1868; and Carroll, 
born April 27, 1871. 

Mr. Williams was a meml>er of the Meth- 
odist church in early years and in later life 
became an active member of the Episcopalian 
church, contributing liberally to its support 
and doing all in his power to advance its 
growth and upbuilding. In politics he was 
a Democrat, never faltering in his allegiance 
to the party. He was one of the promoters 
of business interests, of educational and re- 
ligious work in Danville and thus contri- 
buted in a very large measure to the improve- 
ment and progress of the city. He wrought 
along lines of the greatest good to the great- 
est luimber and his life was so honorable 
and upright that it commanded for him the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



983 



unqualified ci.nifidence and respect of all w ith 
whom he was brought in ci^nitact. He died 
one the 14th of February, 1S91, and Dan- 
\-ille mourned the loss of one of its ^■alued 
citizens. His career was a long, busy and 
useful one and although he was earnest and 
active in business he never allowed the pur- 
suit of wealth to warp his kindly nature, 
being to the end of his life a genial friend, 
one whom it was a pleasure to know and 
meet under any circumstance. By his use- 
fulness and general bene\'olence he created a 
memory whose perpetuation does not depend 
upon brick or stone but upon the spontane- 
ous and freewill offering of the grateful and 
enlightened people. 



EDWARD C. ABDILL. 

Edward C. Abdill was born ]\lay 14, 
1840, a son of Irad and Rebecca Ann 
( Watson) Abdill, the former a native of 
Ohio and the latter of Kentucky. In their 
family were f(jur sons who reached maturity. 
The father was a hardware merchant, carry- 
ing on business along that line in Indiana 
for a number of \'ears. 

Edward C. Abdill was reared under the 
parental roof, pursuing' his education in the 
public schools. He was a young' man of 
only twenty-one years, when the Civil war 
broke out, but he had watched with interest 
the progress of events in the south, noted 
the dissatisfaction in the southern states on 
account of the growing opposition to the 
slavery system and he resolved that if an 
attempt was made to overthrow the Union 
he would strike a blow in its defense. The 
war cloud gathered over the land and on the 
15th of August, 1861, Mr. Abdill carried out 
his determination to become a soldier, join- 



ing the bo\'s in blue of Company B, Eleventh 
Indiana \'olunteer Infantry, under the com- 
mand of Colonel Lew (afterward General) 
A\'allace. \\'ith his regiment he participat- 
ed in a number of important engagements, 
including the battles of Fort Heniy and Fort 
Donelson, two of the most hotly contested 
engagements in the earh- part of the war. 
He was detailed for special mail service, 
having- charge of the mails and dispatches at 
General Grant's headquarters. This service 
he rendered so et^ciently that in Decem1)er, 
1863, he \\-as promoted to the rank of first 
lieutenant and adjutant of the One Hundred 
and Twentieth Indiana Infantry. After the 
fall of Vicksburg he was designated by Gen- 
eral Grant to bear to the north the official dis- 
patches announcing the great victory. Not 
long- after this ]\Ir. Abdill was assigned to 
d.ut}- as assistant adjutant general of the 
I-'irst Brigade, First Divison, Twenty-third 
Army Corps. He took part in the battle of 
\'icksburg and the Atlanta campaign and at 
length was discharged on account of disabil- 
it}', in August, 1864. His was a most cred- 
itable and honorable military record, in which 
lie won continuous promotion by meritori- 
ous conduct upon the field of battle. 

^Ir. Abdill came to Illinois at the close 
of th.e war in 1865 and located in Fairmount, 
where he established a hardware business, 
ciinducting it for three years. In 1868 he 
removed ro Danville and entered into part- 
nership with his older brother under the firm 
name of Abdill Brothers, dealers in hard- 
ware. This enterprise was continued suc- 
cessfully up to the time of his death. His 
business career was a creditable one, because 
of his fidelity to correct business principles, 
his unquestioned honesty and his earnest de- 
sire to please his patrons. These qualities 
also contributed to his success, winning for 
liim a handsome competence. 



9»4 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



During the period of the war Mr. Alulill 
was married on the I3tli of August, 1863. to 
Anna, daughter of Josepli Peters, one of the 
lidUiired pioneers of I)an\illc, who came to 
this city in 1833. He made his way here an 
entire stranger. He liad no capital and was 
witliout influential friends or acquaintances 
at this place, antl from an ohscure position 
he arose to one of eminence, leaving the 
ranks of the many to stand among the suc- 
cessful few. Soon after his arrival he took 
up the study of law and in order to su])port 
himself while ])ursuing his law studies he 
engaged in (h'i\ing a team anil followed 
other occiii)ati(ins that would yield him an 
honest living. During this time he devotetl 
all of his leisure to the mastery of jurispru- 
dence and eventually was admitted tc the 
har. He then entered uimn the practice of 
his profession and soon gave proof of his 
marked ability as a lawyer. He was strong 
in argument, logical in his deductions and 
prosecuted his cases with great clearness. 
His devotion t(j his clients' interests was 
proverbial and he prepared his cases with 
great thoroughness. At an e;irly age. such 
was his marked ability in his profession that 
he was elected county judge of Vermilion 
county and served two terms. Other ])ublic 
honors were conferred u])on him, including 
election to the office of state senator, and he 
left the im])ress of his individuality upon the 
legislation enacted during his membershi]) in 
the upper house. While serving in the 
senate he contracted a cold which greatly 
undermined his health, lie went to Deiner, 
Colorado, hoping that he would be benefited 
by the change but it was of no avail and he 
died at the comparatively early age of forty- 
seven years. In his political affiliations he 
was a Republican. He studied closely the 
questions and i.ssues of the day and had a 
stateman's grasp of public aiYairs. Christi- 



anit\- was also one of the motive powers of 
his life and he was known as a consistent and 
faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal 
clnircii. His wife, who bore the maiden 
name of tlenriefta IJlakely, was a native of 
Kentucky and died in Danville at the age of 
lifty-six years. In their family were four 
children, who reached adult age. 

The marriage of our subject and his wife 
was blessed with four children, all of whom 
are yet living: Charles P., who is now the 
senior member of the hardware firm, con- 
trolling the business which was established 
l)y his father; Mrs. Bertha English, who is 
a resident of Mcinphis, Tennessee; CatJi- 
erine: and Hemy B. 

Mr. Abdill was \ery prominent in public 
alTairs. being well fitted for leadership, be- 
cause of his strong indi\"idualit\', his m;irkcd 
])atriotism and his desire for the good of the 
county rather than for self-aggrandizement. 
Ill politics he was a strong Republican. He 
was officially connected w ith the Spring Hill 
Cemetery Association as its secretary and 
treasurer. He was a meml>er of the Loyal 
Legion and was largely interested in locat- 
ing the Soldiers' monument at this place, 
contributing generously to the work, as well 
as becoming a champion of the cause. He 
was largely instrumental in building the 
X'ermilion County Hospital, served as one 
of its trustees, also as president of the board 
of directors, was likewise overseer of the 
buikling, and served on various committees 
connected with its successful conduct. He 
held membership in the Kimber Methodist 
h'piscopal church and to his efforts was 
largely due the erection of the present house 
of worship. A deep feeling of sadness 
spread throughout Danville when it was an- 
nounced that lulward C. Abdill had passed 
from this life, but while those who knew him 
remain his memorv will 1)e cherished, not 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



985 



so much on account of the spleiuUtl success 
which he achieved in business, not Ijecause he 
contriliuted to tlie impro\-ement of the city 
and promoted the commercial acti\ity, al- 
though these would make him worthy to be 
long rememljered, liut because of his life of 
helpfulness and good cheer, of broad sym- 
pathy and his deep interest in and labors for 
the benefit of his fellow men. His nature 
was so kindly and genial that he won nut 
merely regard but that deeper feeling which, 
call it friendship or lo\-e, binds man in close 
relations to his fellow men in ties which 
naught can sever. Thus it was that Dan- 
ville has seldom so widely and sincerely 
mourned the loss of one of her residents. 
I'"or thirtv-six years he was closely associated 
with her history and many of his friends, in 
thought at least, have breathed the senti- 
ment. 

"He was a man, take him fur ;dl in all, 
I shall not look upon his like again." 



L. C. NORRIS. 

Since the year 1S72, L. C. Norris has 
been a resident of \'ermilion county and to- 
day is numbered among the leading and in- 
fluential men of Hoopeston. He was born 
in Adams county, Pennsylvania, on the 8th 
of May, 1846, his parents being Eden and 
Eliza (Cress) Norris, both of whom are 
natives of the Keystone state, the father 
of English descent while the mother was of 
German lineage. Our subject comes of 
good old Revolutionary stock, his great- 
grandfather. Colonel Upton, having com- 
manded a regiment in the war-for independ- 
ence. The father of our subject was quite 
prominent in political affairs, exerted a 
strong influence in behalf of wlial he be- 



lie\ed to be for the welfare of his com- 
munity and for two terms he served as clerk 
of the court. In the family were ten chil- 
dren, seven sons and three daughters, those 
still living being Basil H., a resident of Can- 
ton, Ohio; IMary E., who is li\-ing in Phil- 
adelphia, Pennsylvania; and L. C. 

At the age of seventeen years L. C, 
Xorris began to earn liis own li\-elihood. He 
had pursued a common school education and 
it was his intention to gain a collegiate 
education, but events forced him to give up 
this plan. At the (jutljreak of the Ci\'il war 
two of his brothers, Thomas C. and Wesley, 
enlisted for serxice in the United States 
•Army and each remained at the front for 
three x-ears. L. C. Norris was the only son 
who remained at home and there he did 
])atriotic service, acting as fifer for three 
different companies that were raised in Get- 
tysburg. It was this which rendered his 
collegiate course imi)ossil)le, but he put aside 
his own interests in behalf of his country 
and his martial music awakened the echoes 
among the mountains which were the wit- 
nesses of one of the most sanguinary con- 
llicts which as ever occurred in the history 
(if the world. At the age of nineteen Mr. 
Norris learned the carpenter's trade. Later 
lie followed farming for two years and then 
resumed carpentering which be has carried 
on continuously since, and today he is one 
of the leading contractors and builders of 
Hoopeston. In the year 1872 he moved 
from Gettysburg. I'ennsylvania, to this 
town, which has been his home continuously 
since. He has been constantly associated 
with building interests in Hoopeston and in 
the vicinity, and has erected as many as two 
hundred buildings in this place, including 
the homes of A. C. Sibbett, A. Honeywell, 
]\Irs. Thomas Kite, George Clark. John 
Leod, Airs. A. C. Sibbett, and Jacob Decker. 



986 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



In tlie cmmtry he also erected the residences 
of Henry Fritz, Mr. Ripley, and of Messrs. 
Thnrnian and Simon Graves, Miles Odle, 
Jack Holmes, Hanson Leod, and John Har- 
mon. He has also taken and executed the 
contracts for several schoolhouses and 
chiu'ches, including the Christian Science 
churcli, which he erected at a cost of seven 
thousand dollars. He has done considerable 
contract work outside of the county and 
he employs from two to fifteen men during 
the season. 

In Littlestown, Pennsylvania, in Octo- 
her, 1868, Mr. Xorris was united in mar- 
riage to Miss An)anda Lightner, who was 
born in Adams county. Pennsylvania, ]\Iarch 
22. 1847. In her parents' family were five 
children : Ed, Calvin, Xewton, William, 
and Amanda. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Norris 
have been born the following children : 
Harry I,., who weckled Mary Fellows and is 
engaged in general merchandising in Burl- 
ington. Indiana: Maude B., the wife of A. C. 
Sibbett. an extensive land owner of lioopes- 
ton who has eleven hundred and forty-six 
acres of land in Illinois and Missouri ; Mabel 
C, the v.ife of William Ferguson, who is 
manager of the branch board of trade of 
Hoo])cston : Ernest E., who holds a good i)o- 
sition with the Southern Railroad at Wash- 
ington. 1). C. : Ethel L. and Zoe Juanita, at 
home. Mr. Xorris has provided all the chil- 
dren with good educational privileges and 
with the exception of the youngest two all 
are graduates of the high school. In his 
political affiliations our subject is a Repub- 
lican and scoially is connected with the 
Knights of Pythias. The family stands 
very high in Hoopeston and our subject and 
his wife hold membership in the Christian 
church, while Mrs. Xorris also belongs to 
the Ladies Aid Society. The true western 
spirit of progress and enterprise are mani- 



fest in the career of our subject whose pro- 
gress from a humble financial position to 
one of afiluence is marked. Viewed from 
any standpoint his life may be said to be a 
success — and it is the success not merely of 
the m.-in who prosecutes a prosperous in- 
dustrial life intent only upon w'inning 
wealth, but that of a man who advances pub- 
lic good in [)romoting indi\idual prosperity. 
The insight into the character of a repre- 
sentative American never fails to ofifer much 
of pleasing interest and valuable instruction, 
and the hfe of Mr. X'orris certainly fur- 
nishes food for deep and profitable thought. 



AXDREW SCHARIO. 

This gentleman was for several years a 
well known and highly respected citizen of 
Danville, holding the position of chief 
engineer in \\'right's F'louring Mill. He 
was a native of Xew York, his birtli having 
occurred in Dansville, Livingston countv, 
that state, on the 6th of May, 1S41. His 
father, Peter Schario, was born in Germany, 
where he followed the occupation of a 
stationary engineer until his emigration to 
America. After spending some time in 
Canada, he remoNcd to Buffalo, Xew York, 
and later to Dansville, that state, where he 
continued to make his home until called to 
his final rest. He did not follow his trade 
after coming to this country. 

While young Andrew Schario learned 
the business of a stationary engineer under 
his father's direction, and obtained a good 
practical education in the schools of Buf- 
falo, X'^ew York. Later he followed his 
chosen occupation in Waterloo. Canada, and 
St. Louis. ^lissouri. remaining at the latter 
place only a short time, however. He next 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



987 



went to Perrysville, Indiana, where he 
worked at the same occupation, being em- 
ployed as engineer in a flouring mill there 
for nine years. 

In the meantime Mr. Schario was mar- 
ried at that place to Miss Catherine ]\Ianges, 
who was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1848, and 
is a daughter of Charles Manges, a native 
of Pennsylvania. At an early day her 
father removed to Eugene, Indiana where 
he worked at the carpenter's trade for 
some time and then came to Vermilion 
county, Illinois, settling near the village of 
Humrick, where he pu.rchased a small farm. 
In connection with the operation of his land 
he continued to work at his trade through- 
out the remainder of his life. Unto !Mr. and 
]\Irs. Schario was born but one child, John 
F., who married Miss Annie Kunpt and re- 
sides in St. Louis, Missouri. While living 
in Danville he was employed as fireman on 
the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad for 
several years, but is now round house fore- 
man for the ^Missouri Pacific Railroad 
Company at St. Louis. Airs. Schario also 
has a son, Leo Schario, who was born 
January 7, 1888, and is a son of her hus- 
band's deceased brother, John Schario. 

The subject of this review continued to 
reside in Eugene, Indiana, until 1873, when 
he came to Danville, Illinois, and entered the 
Wright's Plouring Mill as engineer. He 
was soon afterward promoted to chief 
engineer and Mr. Wright gave him full 
charge of his department. He put in a new 
Corliss engine and made many needed im- 
provements in the plant, continuing to hold 
that responsible position until his death, 
which occurred on the 28th of March, 1887. 

In his political views Mr. Schario was 
a stalwart Democrat. He was an active and 
prominent member of St. Patrick's Catholic 
church of Danville and of the Catholic 



Knights of America, being president of the 
society in Danville at the time of his death. 
He was always a hard working, energetic 
man, very devoted to his family, and true 
to every trust reposed in him. He left his 
widow in comfortable circumstances, she 
Ijeing the owner of a nice home at Xo. 701 
Collett street and other property at the cor- 
ner of North and Hayes streets and at the 
corner of Commercial and Buchanan streets. 
In the care of the estate Mrs. Schario has 
displayed good business and executive 
ability, and she is a lady who makes many 
warm friends, being held in high regard by 
all who know her. 



WILLLAM T. HANSON. 

Prominent among the leading and well 
known residents of Vermilion county is the 
gentleman whose name introduces this 
sketch, now living on a neat and well culti- 
vated farm of sixty acres one-half mile 
north of the old homestead on which his 
wife was reared. Mr. Hanson was born in 
Putnam county, W^est Virginia, October 9, 
1852, and was reared and educated in that 
county. He is a son of James and Mary J. 
(Minos) Hanson, both natives of Virginia. 
In 1872 ]\Ir. Hanson, being then twenty 
vears of age, removed from Virginia to 
Indiana, working there by the month for 
four years. He then came to Vennilion 
county, Illinois, in 1876, and for the first 
two years worked by the month for Edward 
Rouse. 

On the 4th of July, 1878, Mr, Hanson 
was united in marriage to Mary Ann Rouse,- 
a daughter of Edward Rouse, a prominent 
poineer of Vermilion county, whose sketch 
appenrs elsewhere in this work. Her mother 



988 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



bore the maiden name of Minerwi Martin. 
Mrs. Hanson was l)i)rn on the old liome- 
stead. A])ril 2t,. 1S57. Mr. llansnn rented 
his present place of residence for four years 
after his marriage and tlien purchased tlie 
])lace. It comprised sixty acres and was all 
in timhcr land. This he has tiled, cleared 
and imi)roved until it is one of the model 
farms of the county. He has also added to 
his huided possessions as his capital has in- 
creased until lunv he owns one hundred and 
fifty acres of improved land, nearly all of 
section 36, Xewell township. He raises his 
own cattle and horses, which are of a jjood 
g'rade. He and his wife have been thrifty, 
ambitious and energetic and through their 
united efforts have acf|uired a very comfort- 
able competence, which enables them to cn- 
ioy many of the comforts and luxuries of 
life. When they first settled on the farm 
they li\ed in a two-room house, but Mr. 
Hanson has since built ;i substantial home, 
which is ])leasing to tlie eye and affords a 
])lace of rest and enjoyment to the owners. 
The lios])ilalit_\' of the home is extended to 
many friends, and Mr. and Mrs. Hanson 
are ])opular and honored residents of Newell 
township. 

Their marriage has been blessed with 
five children : Virginia Agnes, born on the 
home farm, April 8, 1878, married W'illiaiu 
B. Canine, who was bom in Indiana, July 
6, 1873, their marriage being celebrated 
October 11, i8<)9. He is a .son of IMont- 
gomery and Celia ( Russell) Canine, natives 
of Montgomery and Parke counties, In- 
diana, respectively. ^Ir. Canine came to 
Vermilion county in 1899 and he and his 
wife reside about one mile from the old 
homestead on which the latter was reared. 
They are the parents of one daughter, Celia 
Hanson Canine, the only great-grandchild 
of Edward Rouse. Mr. and Mrs. Canine 



are memliers of the Primitive Baptist churcli 
and he is a Democrat in political views. 
The second child in the family of Mr. and 
Mrs. Hanson was Minerva Jane, who died 
.\pril 4, 1885, aged two years, three months 
and seven days. Otto .\. died I-'ebruary 24, 
1889. at the age of two years, eleven months 
and twenty-seven days. Sylvia C. lives at 
home with her parents, as does also Ruth 
\^aleria. the youngest of the family, now a 
bright little maiden of fonr summers. 

In his political \-iews Mr. Hanson is a 
Democrat, ha\'ing firm faith in the ])rinci- 
ples of the jjarty. He has served as school 
director in his township for nine years ancl 
the cause of education has in him a warm 
friend. .\t present he is serving as school 
trustee. He has li\ed in his present home 
for twenty-four years. When he came to 
\'ermilion county it was not in the state 
of progress, impro\-ement and prosperity 
that it is to-day, and Mr. Hanson has taken. 
an active and helpful interest in its growth 
and upbuilding. Every movement and 
measinx' intended for the betterment of his 
community has received his able support and 
endorsement, and he is to-day numl)ered 
among the substantial citizens of \'enuilion 
county. 



PETRR \'OORHEES. 

In ])ioneer times the \'oorhees family 
was established in \'ermilion county and 
throtigh the manv \cars which elapsed from 
that period uj) to the time of his death Pe- 
ter ^'oorhees was an active and honored 
citizen. His business interests l)ecanie ex- 
tensive and yet he did not allow the accunui- 
lation of wealth to mar his kindly nature. 

Pie was known as one of the wealthy 
farmers of the countv — at one time the 




^y^y^^^^ cy^~tnr^Ce^ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



991 



largest land owner in Xewell townshi]) — hut 
he was not interested in the accimiulatiun 
of weiilth beyond what would bring the com- 
forts of life. He was never known to take 
advantage of the necessities of his fell<:)w 
man in any Inisiness transaction. He was 
always ready to make a bargain as much 
for "the other fellow" as for himself. So- 
cial and genial, he loved mankind. He had 
a (jiiick and responsive sympathy for those 
in distress or trouble, and was often in his 
helpfulness more generous than wise. Pos- 
sessed of an ever ready sense of humor and 
lo\'e of pleasure, he was an attractive man 
to his friends, whom he found in all classes. 
He saw people as they were aside from their 
belongings and place. The prince and the 
beggar were the same to him ; the trappings 
of this world did not matter much to him ; 
he had a philosophical indifference to the 
benefits that can come from worldly advance- 
ment, and deliberately chose the line of life 
he lived, and never tired of its rural com- 
pensations. Reared in the same household 
and the same environment as the l)rother 
who served for forty years in the house and 
senate of the United States, he preferred 
his own choice, and regarded with affec- 
tionate commiseration that brother's ardu- 
ous responsibilities and small reward. 

I'ew lives in so large a degree exempli- 
fied the ("i(.ilden Rule as did that of Peter 
Voorhees. He never let pass an opportunity 
to aid a friend in need, regardless of his 
own interest in .so doing. His religion was 
the religion of lo\-e and mercy — belie\'ing 
that the Creator would eventually care for 
and sa\e all his creatures. He was charita- 
ble in his judgment of others. "Judge not. 
lest ye be judged" was his fa\'orite admoni- 
tion. He was for many years the people's 
chosen "Overseer of the Poor" (an office 



now abolished), a place he filled with pleas- 
ure to Imnsclf and at times perhaps unde- 
served benefit t(j the indigent. 

Peter X'oorhees was bom in Butler coun- 
ty, Ohio, June 28, 1S25. Since the begin- 
ning of the world the laws of heredity have 
been held in respect by mankind. Christ 
said to the young man who came seeking 
him, "Young man, whose son art thou?" 
and the same question is still being asked of 
any one in whom we are interested to-day. 
The A'oorhees family were among the early 
Dutch settlers of New York. Peter Voor- 
hees came ot a long line of creditable ances- 
tors. The name may be found in places of 
trust and responsibility since the days when 
New \'ork was called New Amsterdam. 

'J'he first emigrants in America were 
Stevense and Peter \'an Voorhees, emi- 
grants from Holland, who crossed the At- 
lantic in the j-ear 1660. The "coat-of- 
arms," or armorial bearings of the old Hol- 
land family, indicate (according to the St. 
Tanres Heraldry office of London) consid- 
eral)le antiquity. The motto is "Virtus Cas- 
tellum Meum." I'hey brought with them 
land grants, patents or charters whereby 
they obtained real estate at Flatlands, Long 
Islar.d, and in New Jersey. Although the 
sjielling of the sir name has been changed 
liy some of their descendants the original 
form is also retained by some who trace 
their lineage back to the same common an- 
cestors. As the years passed and the tide 
of emigration began flowing from the At- 
lantic coast inland members of the \^oorhees 
family came to the west. The grandfather 
of Peter Voorhees settled in Harrodsburg, 
Kentuck}-, when that place was but an Li- 
llian fort. Stephen \'oorhees, the father of 
Peter, removed to Ohio and it was in the 
latter state that Peter N^oorhees was born. 



992 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



He was but two 3'ears of age when his par- 
ents again removed westward, this time lo- 
cating iu Fountain county. Indiana, where 
lie was reared amid tlie wild scenes of pio- 
neer hie. In 1848 he was married to Mary 
J. Button, who was born in Oldham coun- 
ty, Kentucky. November 25, 1828. She 
was also of Holland ancestry. Her parents 
emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana, part- 
ing with their slaves because of their disbe- 
lief in slavery. The same year of their mar- 
riage they came to Vermilion cotmty. Illi- 
nois, and settled at the Voorhees home- 
stead, which was purchased from a heritage 
from the grandfather, Peter Voorhees, of 
Kentucky. Mrs. Voorhees was as bright 
and beautifid as Kentucky's women are 
famed for being, and she was a woman of 
imusual character. Philosophic, patient 
and entluring, as one of the local papers said 
at the time of her death : "She was one of 
the most lovable of \yomen. being possessed 
of those womanly characteristics that at- 
tract and cement friendships in bonds that 
time cannot break ijr e\en lessen. That she 
was generous many can bear witness and 
that she was one of the most hospitable of 
the matrons of this city is known to every 
person who has l)een so fortunate as to pass, 
the threshhold of her door. She was of a 
most pleasing disposition and had that open- 
heartedness so characteristic of the early 
settlers of this county, of whom she was 
one. She was one of the most devoted 
of mothers and to her children she was the 
one wliom there was none who could give 
better advice. Her words were words of 
wisdom and many times they had |)roven to 
them that she knoweth best who doeth best. 
"Coming- to Illinois at an early day, her 
genial nature and well known hospitality 
soon made her acquaintdl with the early set- 



tlers of the county and the home of herself 
and husband was the mecca for all the pio- 
neers of that day. They were sure of a 
heart)' welcome whenever they \isited their 
home and her cheerfulness and sunny dis- 
position always glaildened and enriched 
those with whom she came in contact. It 
ever left its impress with them after they 
hail gone away and caused her name to be 
mentioned time and again in the homes of 
the other i)ioneers. She was generous to a 
fault and never missed an opportunity of 
extending help to those who in an early day 
had many trials and misfortunes. It was a 
pleasure to her to hel]3 lift the burdens of 
others and to make joy and gladness rest 
where sorrow had taken hold. She could 
feel for others and was not content unless 
by some manner she coidd show it in a sub- 
stantial degree. She did it without show 
and in a way that it was appreciated by the 
recipients. She did not leave the impres- 
sion that in her doing there was an indebted- 
ness to be paid, but that it was a ministering 
such as would have been recei\-ed from them 
hid the conditions been reversed and she 
the receiver instead of the giver. She was a 
^\■oman ol sidendid attainments in all the 
\\alks of life and in her social nature she 
was the embodiment of the best, treating all, 
whether high or low, rich or poor, with the 
same kindness and consideration that so 
.^tu'ely marks the character of a good Chris- 
tian woman and :\ consistent ser\:int of the 
^Master." 

l^nto Mr. and Mrs. Voorhees were born 
fi\-e children, four of win mi still siu-\-ive 
them. These are: Mrs. A. G. P. Dodge, of 
Dan\il!e; Daniel \'oorhees, of T'eoria ; Philip 
F>. X'oorhees, of Daiuille: and .\rtliur \'oor- 
hees, of Danville. One daughter, Mrs. Ben- 
jamin Crawford, died but a year prior to her 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



993 



mother's demise. Peter \'oorhees passed 
away in 1901 and Mrs. \'oorhees died April 
7. 1902. While memcjry lasts to those who 
knew them this worthy couple will be re- 
membered in Vermilion county and among 
their many friends. Their lives exemplified 
their Christian faith and they were worthy 
and consistent followers of the teachings 
of the Master. Peter Voorhees is most re- 
membered because of his many kind deeds 
and his helpful spirit. An old German say- 
ing has come clown to us : "That a man 
makes three kinds of friends in this world 
— gains he accumulates, the hearts whom he 
loves and his good works. The wealth is 
the iirst to leave him when death lays its 
hands upon the form ; the ]o\ed ones go to 
the tomb, turn from it and pass to their 
homes : but his good works follow him 
through all the years, praising his name and 
making hallow his memory." So let it be 
with Peter Voorhees. 



CORNELIUS POWERS JONES. 

Upon a farm on section 22, Elwood 
township, resides Cornelius Powers Jones, a 
native son of Vermilion county, who was 
born near his present home, Januaiy 23, 
1869. His parents were John and Sarah 
(Powers) Jones, both of whom were na- 
tives of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 
which state they were reared, educated and 
married. They lived upon a farm in Penn- 
sylvania until after the birth of two of their 
children and then, emigrating westward, 
took up their abode in Elwood township, 
Vermilion county, in 1867. Here they also 
settled upon a farm, the father devoting his 
energies to its care and cultivation. Their 
familv numbered altogether fciur sons and 



three d.^ughters, of whom three of the sons 
are yet living: Joseph, a resident of Ridge- 
farm, Cornelius P. and W. A., who is living 
at Ridgefarm. The father has also passed 
away, having departed this life in February, 
1899, but the mother is still living and makes 
her home with her son Cornelius. 

In the ns»i.ial manner of farmer lads Mr. 
Jones spent his early youth, becoming fa- 
miliar with the task of developing- the fields 
and caring for stock. He obtained a com- 
mon-school education and as a companion 
and helpmate for life's journey he wedded 
Angle Buell, their marriage being celebrated 
on the 23d of April, 1S96. The lady is a 
daughter of Hiram and Elizabeth Buell, of 
Elwood township, and is one of a family of 
eight sons and six daughters, all of whom 
are living with the exception ©f three daugh- 
ters and one son. Mr. and Mrs. Jones now 
have an interesting child, John Orville, who 
is two years of age. 

After his marriage our subject located 
upon his present farm where he has lived 
continuously since, his aged mother making 
her home with him. He is a progressive ag- 
riculturist and his rich lands are under a 
high state of cultivation. L'pon his place # 
he has a substantial farm residence, good 
barn and other necessary outbuildings, and 
all of the latest improvements in farm ma- 
chinery. He votes with the Republican par- 
ty and socially he is identified with the 
Knights of Pythias fraternity and with the 
Roval Circle. 



C. V. McCLENATHAN. 

Throughout his business connection with 
Danville, C. V. McClenathan has been 
identified with banking interests and at 
the present time he is one of the directors 



994 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



and the cashier of the Danville National 
]'>anl<. lie is honored and respected in the 
county of his nativity because of wiial he 
has accomplished and yet the high regard in 
which he is hekl is not the less the result nf 
the honorable methods he has followed than 
the ])rosperity. which he has achieved. He 
is one of the native sons of this locality, 
his birth ha\ing occurred upon a farm near 
Catlin, on the 3d of October, 1864, his par- 
ents being George S. and Sarah (Remley) 
McClenathan. both of whom were natives 
of Pennsylvania, coming westward to Ver- 
milion county, Illinois, shortlv after their 
marriage. The McClenathan family is of 
Scotch lineage and of Quaker belief. The 
great-grandfather of our subject was a 
native of the land nf hills and heather and 
at an early period in the settlement of 
Pennsylvania he crossed the Atlantic in one 
of the old time sailing vessels, taking up his 
abode near Philadelphia. The Remley fam- 
ily is of English lineage and dates its origin 
in America to the time of William Penn. 
'i'he grandmother of our suljject in the 
maternal line bore the maiden name of Mar- 
garet Penn and was a relative of the 
celebrated family to which the celebrated phi- 
lanthrdjjist and pioneer, William Penn, be- 
longed. On rcmo\ing to Illinois George 
McClenathan settled in Catlin township 
where he purchased land and engaged in 
fanning, being one of the successful agri- 
culturists of his community. He died in Octo- 
ber, T8g6. and his wife passed away on the 
22(1 of Ajjril, iqoo, both being buried in Oak 
Ridge cemetery, near Catlin. In their family 
were twelxe children, eight of whom are 
now living. 

C. V. McClenathan, the elc\-cnth in nrder 
of birth, attended the common schools in 
his early youth and afterward ])ursued his 
studies in a college in the west. On attain- 



ing his majority lie went to tlie Sunflower 
state, locating in Wichita, where lie re- 
mained for eight years. There he entered 
the Kansas National Bank, in the mortgage 
and loan department, and afterward was 
])laced in charge of tlie loan business of that 
institution. \\ hen he had spent eight years 
in the west he returned to l^anviile and here 
he became cashier of the State Bank of this 
city, acting in that capacity until the institu- 
tion was converted into the Danville Nation- 
al P>ank. on the ist of June. 1901. He has 
since been cashier of the new enterprise and 
one of the directors, and not a little of the 
success of the business is due to his thorough 
understanding of lianking and his capable 
control of the affairs of the institution. 

On the 30th of July, 1895, ^l''- ^Mc- 
Clenathan was united in marriage to Alice 
]\lcIntosh, of Louisville, Kentucky, a daugh- 
ter of Thomas Mcintosh, who is now living 
in this city. Their home has Iieen blessed 
with one child, Margaret Penn. Mr. I\Ic- 
Clenathan is a member of the Presbyterian 
church. I'raternally he is connected with 
the Modern Woodmen of America. In po- 
litical circles he is an earnest sup])orter of 
the Democracy, and in 1900 he was the only 
crmdidate on the Democratic ticket who won 
election, he being chosen by ]iopular suffrage 
to represent his district in the state legisla- 
ture. He was re-elected in 1902 and was 
made chairman of the joint committee on 
penal and reformatory institutions and la- 
bor and industrial affairs, being the only 
Democratic chairman in the house. He also 
served on the committee on banks and bank- 
ing, was the father of the kidnap bill, and 
was a vcr\' active member of the house, 
lie has made a close study of all questions 
wiiich are to the statesman and man of af- 
fairs of vital interest to the state and nation, 
and he gixxs his conscientious support to the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1/95 



principles fur which he laburs. He stands 
to-day one of the respected and highly es- 
teemed residents of the connty of his nativ- 
ity. His friends are legion, as his genial 
courtesy and kindly bearing are calculated to 
win confidence which his sterling integrity 
and unquestioned candor serve to maintain. 



SIMON CALLAHAN. 

In 1852 there came to Vermilion county 
Simeon Callahan and 'throughout his long- 
residence here, covering a period of almost 
half a centrury, he was numbered among 
the active business men of Danxille, as well 
as one of its honored and highly esteemed 
citizens. A native of Ohio, he was born 
near Dayton, that state, on the 1 1 th of Feb- 
ruary, 1827, his parents being William and 
Rachel (Voris) Callahan, who were natives 
of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. 
For a few years the father made his home 
near Circleville, Ohio, and from there re- 
moved to Perrysville, Indiana, where he 
worked at the potter's trade for several 
years. He next came to Vermilion county, 
Illinois, and settled in Georgetow'n town- 
ship, where he continued to follow the same 
occupation for some years. He next ran a 
dray line in Danville and ct)ntinued that 
business until old age compelled his retire- 
ment. The last twenty-six years of his life 
were spent in the home of our subject and al- 
though well advanced in years he was still a 
hale and hearty man, never missing a meal 
during that entire time. He died in 1885 
having passed the ninetieth milestone on 
life's journey. He was the father of four 
children, namely: Elizabeth, who married 
Rufus Havens, and both are now deceased ; 
Manuel, also deceased; Simeon, our subject; 



and Charlotte, wife of Alexander Havens, 
a resident of Bloomington, Illinois. 

During his boyhood and youth Simeon 
Callahan obtained but a limited education as 
his mother died when he was only twelve 
years old and he then began to assist his fa- 
ther in the support of the family. At first 
he worked in the woolen mills of Coles coun- 
ty, Indiana, for several years and then 
learned the carpenter's trade, at which he 
worked in both Perrysville and Lebanon, 
Indiana. 

While at the latter place Mr. Callahan 
was unitetl in marriage to Miss Rachel 
Piles, of Lebanon, who died a year later, 
and the only child Ijorn of this union died 
in infancy unnamed. In 1852 he came to 
Danville, where he continued to work at the 
carpenter's trade for some years, and on the 
9th of May, 1854, he was again married, his 
second union being with Miss Mitty A. 
Morgan, who was born in Georgetown 
township, this county, February 17, 1831. 
Her parents, John H. and Catherine (Mor- 
gan) Morgan, were both natives of Vir- 
ginia, but were married in Kentucky, and 
from that state came to Illinois in 1830, be- 
ing numbered among the pioneer settlers of 
Vermilion county, where they located whai 
the Indians were still numerous in this re- 
gion and most of the land was still in its 
primitive condition. Settling in George- 
town township, Mr. Morgan there worked 
at the blacksmith's trade for a few years, 
and then removed to Danville, being the first 
and onlv blacksmith in the city at that time. 
Thoroughly upright and reliable, he was 
known to everyone as "Honest John." He 
continued to work at his trade here until the 
death of his wife in 1864, and at the close 
of the Civil war he w-ent to Oregon with a 
son. remaining on the Pacific coast three 
years. He then spent a .short time in Dan- 



996 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ville, after which he returned to Salem, Ore- 
gon, where lie died in 1874 at the age of sev- 
enty-five years, honored and respected by all 
who knew him. His son, William O. Mor- 
gan, served for five years in the Union army 
during the war of the Rebellion and is now 
living retired with .Mrs. Callahan in Dan- 
ville. Another son and two daughters make 
their home in Oregon. There are probably 
no families better known to the early set- 
tlers of V^ermilion county than the Calla- 
hans and Morgans, or are held in higher es- 
teem. 

Unto .Mr. and ]\lrs. Callahan were bom 
three children : John William, the oldest, re- 
sides at home with his mother and is a prom- 
inent citizen of Danville, where he is con- 
nected with the fire department; Thomas 
died at the age of one year and nine months : 
and Charlie dieil at the age of six months. 

.\fter working at the caipenter's trade 
for several years in partnership with a Mr. 
Jones, J\Ir. Callahan retired from that busi- 
ness and like his father embarked in the dray- 
ing business, buying the IXnnville dray line 
which he conductetl until life's labors were 
ended in death. On Christmas day of 1893 
he contracted a severe cold which finally re- 
sulted in his death on the 30th of April. 
1894. Throughuut life he supported the Re- 
publican party, but never cared for public 
office. During his younger years he was 
connected with the ^lasonic fraternity but 
afterward withdrew from that organization 
and joined the Independent Order of Odfl 
Fellows, being a member of the lodge at 
Danville when called to the world beyond. 
He was an earnest and consistent member 
of tlie First Methodist Episcopal Church, to 
which, his wife also belongs and he had the 
confidence and high regard i>f .nil with whom 
he came in contact, either in business or so- 
cial life. In business affairs he met with a 



well merited success and was able to leave 
his family in comfortable circumstances. 
Resides her pleasant home at Xo. 5 East 
Madison street, Mrs. Callahan owns a fine 
residence at the corner of Madison and 
North Hazel streets, which was erected by 
her husband in 1884. He also assisted in 
building ni;m_\- i)ther of the early residences 
of the city, and was long numbered among 
the rernxsentative business men of Danville. 



B. F. LEOX.VRD. 



B. F. Eeonard, who is now living a re- 
tired life in Potomac, was throughout his 
active business career connected with agri- 
cultural pursuits. Agriculture is the foun- 
dation of all prosperity and more than a 
century ago George \\'asliington said it was 
the most useful and honorable occupation to 
which man can de\ote his energies. Mr. 
Leonard, long connected with farming inter- 
ests, has l)ccn a resident of \'ermilion county 
since October 10, 1855. In fact, that was 
his natal day and he is a representative of 
one of the old families here. His father, 
William J. Leonard, was bom in Marion 
county. Kentucky, in 1823, and was a son of 
James Leonard. The family is of German 
origin and was founded in Kentucky at an 
early day. James Leonard removed with his 
family to Illinois and became one of the 
early ]iioncer settlers of ^"emlilion county. 
] Icre ^^'illiam J. Leonard was reared and ed- 
ucated and was trained to methods of indus- 
try and economy upon the home farm. He 
was married in Fountain county. Indiana, to 
Sarah Cronkhite, who was born in Ohio, but 
was reared in the Floosier state. Mr. Leon- 
ard liad entered one hundred and sixty acres 
of land in Midillefork township and this he 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



997 



broke and fenced, developing an excellent 
farm whose well tilled fields returned to him 
an excellent income. He afterward traded 
that for another farm in Ross township and 
spent his last days there, dying about 1866. 
His wife survi\'ed him for a few years and 
was called to her final rest in the autumn of 
1872. 

No event of special importance occurred 
to vary the routine of farm life for B. F. 
Leonard in his youth. The common schools 
afforded him his educationl privileges and 
when sixteen years of age he started out in 
life, working in a wagon shop. He learned 
the trade in Rossville and followed that pur- 
suit for several years. An important event 
in his life occurred on the 14th of ^larch, 
tS/S, when, in Middlefork township, he was 
joined in wedlock to Emma J. Swisher, a 
native of that township and a daughter of 
Harrison Swisher, one of the early settlers 
of the county. They began their domestic 
routine upon a rented farm which Mr. Leon- 
ard cultivated for a few years and then 
bought eighty acres of land which he began 
to further improve. He built a house and 
barn there and later he extended the bountla- 
ries of his place by the additional pur- 
chase of eighty acres. On that tract he car- 
ried on general farming until 1900, when 
he rented his land and in the month of De- 
cember took up his abode in Potomac, where 
he purchased a lot and erected a residence. 

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard have four chil- 
dren: Zetta Ann, the wife of Charles \'ill- 
ers, a farmer of Ross township; Rosella, 
Cora B. and Alva, who are still with their 
parents. The family is one of prominence 
in the community, enjoying the high regard 
of many friends here. In his political views 
Mr. Leonard was formerly a Democrat, but 
he now supports the men and measures of 
the P'rohibition party. He and his family 



are identified with the Lnited Brethren 
church and his wife is a member of the 
Christian church. No other home has he 
known than Vermilion county and the local- 
it}' may be glad to number him among its 
native sons because he has always been loyal 
to its interests, has been in touch with the 
work of progress and improvement and has 
been identified with de\'elopment and up- 
building". His friends esteem him for the 
possession of those qualities of upright man- 
hood \\ hich in e\'ery land and in e\-ery clime 
command respect and confidence. 



T. HOWARD SPANG. 

T. Howard Spang is proprietor of the 
\\'estfield Roller Mills and of the lumber- 
yard in this place. Here he has carried on 
business for two years and has already 
gained a creditable position in public reg^ard 
as a reliable and enterprising business man. 
He is a native of Butler county, Pennsyl- 
vania, born January 10, 1874, and is a son 
of J. R. and Alargaret Spang. The family 
history is mentioned in connection with the 
sketch of his brother, C. B. Spang, on an- 
other page of this work. 

After coming to this county the subject 
of this re\'iew began working in a flour- 
mill in Georgetown and in 1870 he went to 
North Towanda, New York, where he en- 
gag'ed in milling for six months. He then 
returned to Georgeto\vn and subsecjuently he 
went to Allerton, Illinois, where he con- 
ducted a grain elevator for. four years. On 
the expiration of that period he ag'ain went 
to Georg-etown, where he worked with his 
brother in a flourmill for a year. In July, 
iqoo, he came to Westville and erected the 
\\'est\-ille Roller Mills, which he has since 



998 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



operated. He also buys and ships grain and 
both IjraiTches of his business are proving 
profitaI)Ic. His mill is equipped with the lat- 
est roller process machinery and the Hour 
which he manufactures is of a high grade, 
therefore finding a ready sale on the market. 
Mr. Si)ang also is a carpenter and cuntrac- 
tor and does some business in that line. In 
connection with his mother and brother, in 
Georgetown, he is also carrying on the lum- 
beryard at \\'est\i!le, having charge of the 
business. 

Mr. Spang was united in marrage to 
Miss Lula Kilgore, a native of \'enniliiin 
county and a daughter of Robert Kilgore. a 
retired farmer now living in Georgetown. 
One child graces this marriage to whom they 
have given the name of Kenneth. ]\Ir. Spang 
is a Republican in his political views but 
the honors and eniolunients of office have no 
attraction for him. Socially he is identified 
witli the Inde])en(lent Order of Odd bellows, 
the Knights of Pythias and the Modern 
Woodmen of America and both he and his 
wife hold membershii) in the Methodist 
Episco])al church of Georgetown. Mr. 
Spang is a }-oung man possessed of energ_\-, 
enterprise and laudable ambition and, brook- 
ing no obstacles which can be oxercome by 
determined purpose and honorable effort, he 
is steadily working his way upward to a 
very creditable and gratifying position in 
the business xvorld, having already attained 
success which man\- an older man miglit well 
envy. 



H. S. BABCOCK, :\1. D. 

Among the ])ractitioucrs of medicine in 
Danville worthy of public patronage li\' 
reasoh of thorough understanding of llic 
science of medicine and devotion to the iiro- 



fession, is Dr. H. S. Babcock, a native of 
Pennsylvania, born in Warren county, 
August 26. 1869. His father, Joseph F. 
Babcock, was also liorn in that county and 
after arriving at years of maturity was mar- 
ried there to Jennie (jibson, likewise born 
in that locality. He was a farmer and lum- 
l;er merchant, but for some time lived in 
the city of Warren antl at the present time 
is filling the office of chief of police. In 
his i^jolitical \'iews he is a stalwart Re- 
])ublican, while socially he is connected with 
the Knights of the Maccabees, the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen and the Grand 
.\rmy of the Republic. He is entitled to 
membership in the last named organization 
through service in the Civil war, for in i8(')4 
he responded to the country's call for aid 
and enlisted in defense of the Union. He 
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church 
of which his wife is also a member and they 
are highly esteemed i)eople of the com- 
munity in which they make their home. In 
their family were but two children, the 
Doctor's sister being Dr. Margaret Maloy, 
the wife of Dr. Earl Maloy. of Lincoln, 
Illinois. She is a graduate of the College 
of Physicians and Surgeons, of Chicago, 
and is engaged in i)ractice. 

In the district schools of Conewanago 
townshi]). ^^'arren county, Pennsylvania. 
Dr. Babcock ])ursue(l his preliminary edu- 
cation and later studied in tlie grade schools 
and in the academy of Warren. Pennsyl- 
vania. Subsequently he matriculated in the 
L^ni versify of Michigan, at .\nn Arbor, 
where he was graduated in the medical de- 
])artmcnt with the class of i8gi. Since 
that time he has been a practitioner of \'er- 
milion county, locating first in Higginsville. 
When the railroad was built through the 
locality, the town of Jamesburg was estab- 
lished and Dr. Babcock opened his office at 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



999 



that place, where he remained for ten and 
a half years. Then, seeking a wider field 
of labor, he came to Danville, where he has 
since remained, enjoying a growing practice 
which has demonstrated his skill in the suc- 
cessful handling of many important cases. 
On the 24th of December, 1891. in 
Chicago, Illinois, the Doctor was united in 
marriage to Mabel Buck, who was born in 
Cheboygan, Michigan, on Christmas day of 
1873, a daughter of Moses and Borredell 
(Greenwood) Buck, both of whom were 
natives of Maine, the mother having been 
born in Abbott. They were married in the 
Pine Tree state and the father engaged in 
the lumber business there, subsequently re- 
moving to Michigan, where he continued 
in the same line of business activity. A 
Democrat in his politicel views, he was 
recognized as a prominent member of the 
party in his community, held a number of 
political offices and wrote many articles for 
the press setting forth his views upon po- 
litical questions. He had decided opinions 
and a forcible way of expressing them and 
his influence in behalf of the Democracy 
was far-reaching. His death occured in 
Cheboygan, in February, 1898, and his 
widow is still living there. In their family 
were eight children, all of whom survive, 
namely : Ainsley, who when last heard from 
was in South Africa ; Edward, who follows 
farming in Cheboygan, Michigan; Horace, 
who resides in St. Johnsville, New York : 
Lucy, the wife of Collins Cameron, of 
Lewiston, Michigan; Mabel, the wife of Dr. 
Babcock ; Charles, who is engaged in the 
publishing business in Chicago; Samuel, 
who is connected with a newspaper agency 
of Chicago ; and Mary, who formerly taught 
in the public schools at Allerton. Illinois, 
but is now in Cheboygan, Michigan. The 
home of the Doctor and his wife has been 

40 



blessed with two interesting children : Jennie 
May, who was born December 8, 1893 ; and 
Joseph Henry, born June 10, 1896. 

Dr. Babcock was made a member of the 
]\Iasonic fraternity in Potomac, Illinois, 
about 1897, '^'''d is a valued representative 
of the Knights of Pythias, the Modern 
Woodmen of America, the Court of Honor, 
the Royal Circle and the Fraternal Tribune. 
He has been examiner for a number of in- 
surance companies and he has been county 
physician and surgeon for Blount township 
for nine years. He belongs to the Vermilion 
County Medical Society, the State Medical 
Society and the American Medical Asso- 
ciation, and thus he keeps in touch with the 
advanced thought which marks the progress 
of the medical fraternity toward perfection. 
He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal 
church and exercises the right of franchise 
in support of the Republican party. Having 
a wide acquaintance in Vermilion county the 
friendship of many has been freely accorded 
him in recognition of a genial manner and 
kindly disposition. 



LUDVIG ERIKSON. 

Ludvig Erikson, who is one of the ener- 
getic and thrifty farmers of Butler township, 
has a valuable property of one hundred and 
fifty acres on section 9. This is well im- 
proved and equipped with all modern ac- 
cessories and conveniences. From the spring 
of 1869 to the present time Mr. Erikson has 
been a resident of Vermilion county and the 
kingdom of Sweden has furnished no better 
citizen in the new world. He was born on 
the 8th of July, 1851, in Sweden, a son of 
Gustaf Erikson, who was bom in the same 
country and was a soldier there being con- 



lOOO 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



nected with the standing army for some 
time. In 1869. accompanied by liis family, 
he bade adieu to his friends and native land 
and sailed fur the new world, settling in 
Paxton, Illinois, where he died about 1889. 
His wife passed away in 1900. In their 
family were three sons and three daughters : 
Alfred, who is a resident of Sweden ; Lud- 
vig, of this review: Otto, a resident of 
Rankin ; iM-etlricka. who is also living in 
Sweden; Johanna, the wife of Fred Johnson, 
of that country : and Ida, who died at the age 
of eight years. 

The su1)ject of this review spent the tirst 
eighteen years of his life in the land of his 
nativity and acquired a fair common-school 
education in his native tongue, but his 
knowledge of the English language has been 
acquired without the aid of teachers since 
his arrival in Illinois. He crossed the briny 
deep in 1869 and came direct to this state. 
locating in Paxton. He was first employed 
in the town of Rankin, in ^'ermilion county, 
and for a time he worked for \\'. A. Rankin, 
now a prominent and influential citizen of 
Onarga, Illinois, continuing in his employ 
for four years. He then rented two hundretl 
acres of land, which he continued to cultivate 
for a inimber of years, and in 1882. having 
acquired sufficient capital through his earnest 
lalxsr and careful management, he purchased 
the farm upon which he is now residing. 
At th;it time InU few imjirovements had been 
made ui)on the place, but now after twentv 
years he has a very valuable property sup- 
plied with all modern equipments and ac- 
cessories. He has erected a nice frame 
resiflence, a large barn, granary and other 
outbuildings. He has a fine orchard, in- 
cluding a great variety of fruits and he has 
planted shade and omamefital trees around 
his home, giving it a most attractive and 
pleasing appearance. Tiling has added to 



the productiveness of his fields and the fences 
thereon and everything about the place are 
kept in good repair. He raises the cereals 
best adajjted t<> the soil and climate and in 
connection witii his work has been engaged 
in the raising and feeding of cattle, feeding 
aiiout a car-load of cattle each year and also 
selling a large number of hogs annually. In 
connection with nine others he fonned a 
company for the importation and breeding 
of thoroughbred Percheron and Shire horses 
and he now owns two valuable imported 
stallions, which he keeps for breeding 
l)urposes. 

^Ir. F.rikson was married in V'ermilion 
county in February, 1879, to Matilda Gus- 
tafson. a native of Sweden, who came to the 
new world when a maiden of twelve sum- 
mers and ItKated in Vermilion county. Six 
children have blessed this union : Edward, 
-Mice, Oscar and Esther, all of whom are 
yet under the parental roof : Alma, who died 
at one year ; and Annie, at the age of eight 
years and three months. 

In his political views Mr. Erikson is a 
stanch and earnest Republican and in 1876 
cast his first presidential ballot for Ruther- 
ford B. Hayes, while for each presidential 
nominee of the Republican party since that 
time he has deposited his ballot. He was 
elected and served for nine consecutive years 
as commissioner of highways and for si.x 
years previous to that time was overseer of 
the roads, proving a competent officer. 
Both he and his wife hold membership re- 
lations with the Swedish Lutheran church 
at Rankin. Illinois, and were reared in that 
faith. The hripe that led Mr. Erikson to 
seek a hnme in the new world has l>een more 
than realized. He found the business op- 
portunities he sought here and through the 
exercise of marked industry and enterprise 
he has steadily worked his way upward. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



lOOI 



He has been a witness of much of the growth 
and improvement of the county, which he 
has seen transformed from a swampy dis- 
trict into a richly cultivated region. In early 
days he saw herds of, as man)- as twenty- 
five deer in this part of the state and many 
wolves were killed, while wild game of 
various kinds furnished the pioneer table 
with meat and frontier conditions were 
prevalent and made the task of developing a 
farm somewhat arduous, but with charac- 
teristic energies and determination Mr. 
Erikson continued his work and as the years 
have passed he has won a most creditable 
position among the successful farmers of 
Butler township. 



LYCURGUS BALDWIN. 

Lycurgus Baldwin, who follows farm- 
ing, was born in Dallas county, Iowa, on 
the 1st of May, 1859, and is a son of Thomas 
and Lucinda (Standfield) Baldwin. The 
father was a native of Brown county, Ohio, 
and was one of a large family of children 
all of whom are now deceased with the ex- 
ception of one brother and one sister. He 
was born May 10, 1830, and is still living, 
his home being in Ridgefarm. W'hen eight 
years of age he accompanied his parents on 
their removal from Ohio to Indiana, and a 
year or two later he came to Illinois. In 
1848 he was united in marriage to Lucinda 
Standfield, a daughter of Samuel Standfield, 
of Elwood township, and in 1857 they re- 
moved to Dallas county, Iowa, wdiere Mr. 
Baldwin engaged in farming- until 1864. 
He then returned to Illinois, settling at 
Ridgefarm. where both he and his wife are 
still living. The Standfields also had a large 
family, and two of the sons, brothers of Mrs. 



Baldwin, were veterans of the Civil war. 
L^nto the parents of our subject were born 
six children; James R., a resident farmer 
of Georgetown, who has five children; 
Darius T., deceased; Lycurgus, of this re- 
view; George, an agriculturist of Ridge- 
farm, who has one child; ]\Iary, who is 
living with her parents; and Elmer, who 
lives at Ridgefarm and has seven children. 

Lycurgus Baldwin was early trained to 
the work of field and meadow in his youth 
assisting his father in the cultivation of the 
old homestead. He was educated in the 
common schools and on the 30th of August, 
1882, he made preparation for having a 
home of his own by his marriage to Miss 
Florence M. Rardin, a daughter of Nelson 
and Elizabeth (Petit)- Rardin, of Edgar 
county, Illinois. The father was a farmer 
by occupation and had a large family, having 
four sons and five daughters, all of whom 
are living with the exception of one. Mrs. 
Baldwin was born in January, 1861, and was 
educated in the common schools. By her 
marriage she has become the mother of 
four children ; Mabel E., now nineteen years 
of age, was married August 10, 1902, to 
Alfonso Wright, a teacher of Ridgefarm. 
Frederick, eighteen years of age, Nelson, a 
youth of thirteen, and Russell, a little lad of 
three summers, are with their parents. 

Mr. Baldwin is a devoted member of the 
Presbyterian church and is also connected 
with the Modern Woodmen of America. 
In politics he is an earnest Republican, do- 
ing all in his power to promote the growth 
and insure the success of his party. He has 
three times served as commissioner of his 
township and is now holding that office, the 
duties of whicli he discharges with prompt- 
ness and fidelity. He is a temperate, honor- 
able gentleman, a loyal citizen, and enjoys 
a high reputation in all the walks of life. 



I002 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



JAMES GEORGE SHEDD. 

James George Sliedd, now deceased, was 
born in Morrow county. Ohio, on the 23d 
of June. 1842, his parents being Henry and 
Letitia Shedd. who were Xew England peo- 
ple. In tlieir family were five children and 
like the other members of the household the 
subject of this review acquired his early 
education in the schools of his native county. 
He afterward continued his studies in the 
Western Reserve College where he was 
graduated and thus well equipped by thor- 
ough mental training for life's responsible 
duties he entered upon a work which made 
him a valuable factor in society. 

In early manhood Mr. Shedd was united 
in marriage to IVliss Helen Leseure. the 
wedding being celebrated on the 27th of 
June, 1872. The lady is a daughter of 
Prosper and Elizabeth Leseure. who were 
prominent and influential sitizens of Dan- 
ville. Her father was a native of Nancy. 
France, born on the 26th of May. 1820. and 
when a lad of ten years he came to America. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shedd was born one son, 
George Carroll, whose l)irth occurred in 
Danville on the 9th of December. 1880. and 
who died on the loth of November. 1885. 

Shortly before his marriage Mr. Shedd 
became a resident of Danville, accepting a 
position as superintendent of the schools of 
this place. Under his direction education 
made marked advances here. Hitherto the 
schools liad not been graded, but he accom- 
plished this important work and made many 
marked improvements in the system of teach- 
ing, — improvements which formed a solid 
basis for further development and progress 
in this line. He also spent two years in 
Macomb, Illinois, as superintendent of the 
schools there. For nine years he was 
superintendent in Danville and then putting 



aside his work in connection with educa- 
tional interests he turned his attention to 
the lumber business, forming a partnership 
with George B. Yeomans, under the firm 
name of Yeomans & Shedd. With this 
enterprise he was connected up to the time 
of his death. The new firm prospered in 
their undertakings, the business growing 
until it reached extensive proportions and the 
sales annually returned a good profit to the 
owners. ]vlr. Shedd had purchased his 
father-in-law's interest in the lunil)er busi- 
ness and in the control of his new affairs 
he displayed marked energy, capable man- 
agement and keen discernment. 

In his political views Mr. Shedd was a 
stalwart Republican and took a deej) and 
active interest in the success and welfare of 
the party. He was a member of the Ameri- 
can Sons of the Revolution and was a man 
of marked literary tastes and scholarly at- 
tainments, whose broad reading and wide 
investigation gained him a knowledge sel- 
dom seen in men devoted to commercial in- 
terests. Many of his most pleasant hours 
were spent in the companionship of his 
books antl he regarded as among his dearest 
friends the master minds of present and past 
ages. He held membership in the Presby- 
terian church, to which his wife also belongs, 
taking an active part in its work. On the 
5th of November. 1896, Mr. Shedd was 
called to his final rest and was hurietl in 
Spring Hill cemetery. For many years he 
was regarded as a prominent and influential 
resident of Danville. He left the impress 
of his individuality upon its intellectual de- 
velopment as well as upon its commercial 
histc;ry. His was an irreproachable life and 
one whose influence was ever for good and 
for progress. He drew to himself many 
friends whose regard was strengthened as 
their acquaintance increased and the years 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1003 



passed by. His loss was therefore widel}' 
and deeply felt and his memory is still en- 
shrined in the hearts of many who knew him. 



GEORGE W. HENRY. 

George W. Henry, familarily known as 
"Uncle George." is among the honored and 
prominent settlers of Vermilion county. 
He was bom in Ohio, May 8, 1827, and is 
a son of Michael and Margaret (Pinker- 
son) Henry. His father went to Warren 
county, Indiana, when George was a year 
old, making the journey in a covered wagon 
drawn by three yoke of oxen. He died 
when George was seven years of age. When 
the family went to Indiana it was wild and 
unimproved and they were in the midst of 
the Indians, three hundred of them being 
encamped in front of the log cabin home. 
His father traded with the Indians for coats 
and other articles. At this time in the early 
frontier days there were more deer than 
sheep to be seen in the locality, and wild 
hogs and prairie and timber wolves were 
very plentiful. George W. Henry is one of 
a family of nine children. He was early 
left without a father and lived for a short 
time with his brother David. After that 
he went to reside with a Mr. Dawson. He 
began life without any capital, and worked 
with diligence. He worked by the month 
until his twenty-third year, receiving at an 
early day eight dollars per month. He has 
a mowing machine which he has operated 
for forty-two years and during this time 
has cut five thousand acres of grain. In 
Indiana he worked for Ebenezer Lucas. 

In Indiana Mr. Henry married Sarah 
Ann .Spickard. They had one child, Hes- 
ter, who died at the age of two weeks, and 



the wife and mother also passed away. Mr. 
Henry was again married, his second union 
being with Emmrilla Taylor, who was born 
in Warren county, Indiana, October 29, 
1832. She is a daughter of George and 
Matilda (Leonard) Taylor, the latter a na- 
tive of Kentucky and the former of Vir- 
ginia. This marriage took place on the 2d 
of December, 1852, and the union was 
blessed with eight children : George M. 
married Eliza Watson and they had seven 
children, six of whom are yet living. Their 
home is in Lyon county, Iowa. E. L. mar- 
ried !M. A. Bird, and lives near ?ilarshfield, 
Indiana. They are the parents of thirteen 
children, eight of whom are yet living. 
Sarah is the wife of James Allison, of Dan- 
ville, and has eight children. Ira M., now- 
deceased, married Minerva Watson, and they 
had seven children, five of whom still survive- 
His home was near ]\Iarshfield, Indiana. 
Polly Amanda died at the age oi three years, 
lames William died at the age of thirteen 
months. Jennie Belle is the wife of Fred 
Starr and had six children, four of whom still 
survive. ]\Irs. Henry was reared on the Illi- 
nois side at Stateline, coming from Indiana 
with her parents when about a year old. She 
has seen the wolves so thick that she feared 
they \\ould come into her father's home, 
which was a log cabin with no glass in the 
windows and a stick chimney. She is the 
oldest of a family of eleven children. She has 
manv times been to her neighbors to borrow 
fire with which to start their fire. She remem- 
bers many incidents of pioneer days which 
would be of interest to our readers, would 
space permit. She would ride on horseback 
to the town, for at those times buggies were 
not in use. Her father would shear the 
sheep, then wash the wool, have it carded 
and mother and daughters would spin it and 
weave it, making their homespun clothing. 



I004 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Mr. Henn' is the only surviving member 
of a family of nine children. He also has 
one half brother, Alex Henry, of Ambia, In- 
diana. The family record is as follows : 
Margaret, who was the wife of William Mc- 
Gahon ; Christian, whom Mr. Henry has 
not seen since he was six years of age ; David, 
who (lied in Dakota : Michael ; Mrs. Ann 
I.eniminy; Robert Henry ; (jeorge \\'. ; and 
William P. 

Mr. Henry began farming in Warren 
county. Indiana. The first plowing which 
he did was with the wooden mold board and 
strap plow. He next plowed with a 
single shoxcl and cut his grain witli a reap 
hook sickle and now owns a reap hook of 
pioneer days, or a sickle mowing scythe. He 
came Vermilion county. Illinois, in 1853, 
and settled on his present farm, which he 
purchased at seven dollars per acre. When 
his father's estate was settled he received 
four hundred and fifty dollars. With this 
and what he had accumulated he paid for his 
present farm, which was fenced and partly 
imder cultivation, a portion being plowed, 
but :dl around was wild prairie. On this 
land the Peacock plow was at first the only 
kind with which he scoured the prairies. 
Then he had a shovel plow, and also the 
Springfield plow. In this primitive period 
there was no kerosene and he has read by the 
light of the prairie fires. They burned hickory 
bark and dip candles for lighting, and used a 
crane over the fire place before stoves came 
into existence. When Mr. Henry and his 
wife settled on their present place wild game 
of all kinds was very plentiful. Deer, turk- 
eys, cranes, ducks, geese and prairie chickens 
were to be had in abundance, and the tables 
of the pioneers were loaded with delectable 
food, such as would delight the epicure of 
the present day. Many a time Mr. Henry 
assisted his mother to spin the wool, and all 



of the wool so spun was woven at home into 
clothing for the family. The nearest trad- 
ing point to their home was Danville. In 
the early days the produce from his farm 
Mr. Henry hauled to Covington, Indiana. 
He made one trip to Chicago when a boy, 
with his brother David, in a wagon drawn 
l)y oxen and loaded with eight barrels of 
pork. They had to i)ass over many sloughs 
and camped out at night on the prairies, sur- 
rounded by howling wolves. Mr. Henry's 
present farm comprises three hundred acres 
on section 28, Newell township. Here he 
has for years carried on general farming and 
stock-raising and through his industry has 
acquired a comfortable competence, his well 
tilled fields and substantial home and build- 
ings indicating the enterprises and thrift of 
the owner. 

Mr. and Mrs. Henry are members of the 
United Brethren church. Mrs. Henry is an 
earnest worker therein and Mr. Henry has 
been a member since he was fifteen years of 
age, joining the church in Newell township. 
He has been class leader, steward and Sun- 
tlay-school superintendent and at present is 
acting as trustee. He has been identified 
with the erection of nearly all the churches 
of Newell township, and the first one built at 
Myers\ille. Church service was held at his 
home l:)efore the church was built, and later 
at the schoolhouse, and they had to use the 
wood thrown into the firqilace as a light. 
Since his arrival in this community Mr. 
Henry has taken a <leep and actix'e interest 
in Christian work and advancement, mani- 
festing his love for the Master, and many a 
one has been helped and inspired to better 
deeds through his influence. He has ever 
been interested in the cause of education. 
He helped to build the first school in his 
neighborhitod and many other schools. He 
is now living a retired life, having rented 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1005 



nearly all his land, and he well merits the 
enjoyment of his present peaceful life. In 
politics Mr. Henry is a Democrat, believing 
firmly in the principles of the party to which 
he lends his support. 

We trust that in the lines of this sketch 
we have plainly set forth the beautiful spirit 
which has ever permeated the life of !Mr. 
Henry and which has made him honored and 
revered in the community where he makes 
his home. From the efforts of such worthy 
pioneers has resulted the prosperity which 
Vermilion county enjoys and Mr. and Mrs. 
Henry are citizens well worthy of mention 
in this history. At a funeral service held 
at State Line City, a certain song was re- 
quested, and the only one who remembered 
the song was "Uncle George." He sang it 
over the phone, at a distance of nine miles, 
to the satisfaction and comfort of the friends 
and relatives. By such acts as these he has 
endeared himself to a large circle of friends. 
Just before their return to Kansas L'ncle 
Aaron Taylor and his family were at Mr. 
Henry's on Thanksgiving day and recjuested 
him to sing" the song once more which he 
obligingly did. 



WILLIAM J. ANKER. 

When sixteen years of age William J. 
Anker began business in the line to which he 
yet devotes his energies. He is now a well 
known and successful florist of Danville, car- 
rying on a retail business at 314 North Jack- 
son street, which is bringing to him gratify- 
ing success. He was born about a mile east 
of the city on the 23d of January, 1872, and 
is a son of John F. and Sophia (Kanock) 
Anker, both of whom were natives of Ger- 
many. They were married, however, in 



Danville. The father made a specialty of 
market gardening and from the time when 
he took up his abode here he remained con- 
tinuously a resident of Vermilion county 
until his death. This covered a period of 
thirty-four years, for he arrived here in 1863 
and it was in 1897 that he passed away. His 
wife departed this life June 18, 1893. In 
their family were seven children, of whom 
four are living — Martha, Albert, Charles and 
A\'illiam J. Charles is conducting a bakery 
and confectionery establishment at Catlin, 
Illinois, and Albert is connected with the 
Kellyville Coal Company. 

In the common schools of this city Will- 
iam J. Anker acquired his preliminary edu- 
cation and later he pursued a business course 
in the Van Buskirk Commercial College. At 
the age of sixteen he became connected with 
the work of cultivating flowers. He built 
a greenhouse and thus opened the establish- 
ment which he has since conducted with in- 
creasing success, his trade continually grow- 
ing as the years pass. He has made a close 
and thorough study of the best methods of 
cultivating fancy flowers and has a compre- 
hensive and accurate knowledge of this 
branch of industry. For fifteen years he lias 
now carried on business. His greenhouses 
are well equipped with all modern accessories 
needed in this line and he produces some of 
the finest floral specimens ever seen in Dan- 
ville or the surrounding country. He large- 
ly sells to the local trade yet his shipments 
are quite extensive and this branch of his 
business is constantly increasing in volume. 

On the 1 6th of July, 1893, Mr. Anker 
was married in Danville to Martha Pries, 
who was born on the state line. March 25, 
1873, and is an adopted daughter of Christ 
Pries. Her father's name was Henry Schau- 
berger. Her mother died during her infancy 
and the little daughter was then adopted by 



ioo6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Mr. Pries. By her marriage slie lias become 
the motlier of two cliildren. but Helena, born 
March 15, 1895, ^^^'^ September i, 1899. at 
the age of four years and six months. The 
living daughter. Esther, was born March 11, 
1900. Mr. Anker owns his home in Dan- 
ville and also some business property in this 
city. He belongs to tiie Danville Local 
Musicians Association. Xo. 90. and was 
formerly connected with the Danville Odd 
Fellows Band. He is also a member of the 
German Lutheran church. His entire life 
has been passed in this city or its immediate 
vicinity and he is very widely known to 
many residents of \'ermi]ion count\' with 
whom he has had either social or business 
relations. He has won due recognition of 
labor in trade circles and has gained many 
friends in social life b_\' reason of the sterl- 
ing traits of his character, which commend 
him to the regard and good will of all with 
\vhi)m he has been associated. 



mercantile enterprises in Potomac and is 
now a representative of its banking interests. 
Dr. Messner was Ijorn in Darke county, 
Ohio. December 15, 1844. a son of William 
and Anna ( Hagerty) ^lessner. The Mess- 
ner family is of German origin but was 
founded in America at an early day. 
William Messner was born in Pennsylvania 
and when a young man went to Darke 
county. Ohio, whence he afterward removed 
to Minicie. Indiana. For many years he 
was a resident of Jo Daviess county. Illinois, 
but eventually returned to Warren county, 
Indiana, where his last years were passed. 
but he died in Potomac. Illinois, while 
visiting in the home of our subject. A 
physician by profession, he practiced success- 
fully both in Illinois and Indiana, doing 
miicli for the alleviation of human suffering 
in the communities in which he lived. His 
wife has also departed this life. They were 
the parents af ten children, of whom three 



LEWIS C. MESSXER. 

Though the life of Lewis C. Messner 
has been one rather of modest reserve than 
of ambitious self-seeking, he has shown him- 
self the peer of the leading men of \'ermilion 
county whose efforts and mental talents 
have won for them success and who have 
pushed forward the wheels of progress and 
have contributed to the upbuilding of their 
res])ective communities. Mr. Messner has 
not sought to figure prominently before his 
fellow men in a political way but has so 
directed his energies in the private walks of 
life that his lalwrs have I)een of benefit to 
his fellow men. while l)ringing to him h.is 
individual success. For many years he 
practiced medicine, was also connected with 



Lewis C. Messner accompanied his par- 
ents on their various remo\'als and ac- 
quired the greater part of his literary 
education in the schools of Jo Daviess 
county. Illinois. At the age of fourteen he 
left school and began clerking in a store in 
Elizabeth. Illinois, being thus employed for 
five years, during which time he earned the 
money necessary for a college cour.se. 
Determining to engage in the practice of 
medicine, he pursued his first course of 
lectures in the winter of 1865-6 and in the 
latter year came to Potomac, where he 
practiced until 1871. He then became a stu- 
dent in the Rush Medical College of Chicago 
and graduated in the class of 1872. Return- 
ing to Potomac he practiced successfully for 
seventeen years, enjoying a large patronage 
indicati\e of the confidence rejiosed in his 
skill an.d ability. On retiring from the pro- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1009 



fession Dr. Messner devoted his attention 
to his mercantile interests, which he had 
previousl)' estabHshed. He was the owner 
of a general merchantile store which he 
began to enlarge and extend in scope after 
ceasing his professional labors and later he 
associated his son with him under the firm 
name of L. C. Messner & Son, this relation- 
ship being maintained until 190 1, when the 
Doctor disposed of his mercantile interests. 
In 1882, in connection with John Smith, he 
established the Bank of Marysville. at 
Potomac, and for fifteen years these gentle- 
men were in partnership, since which time 
Dr. Messner has been alone in the banking 
business, which he has conducted success- 
fully, this being one of the strong financial 
institutions in this part of the county. He 
has made a close and thorough study of 
whate\er work has clanmed his attention. 
While practicing his profession he kept in 
touch with the advancement continually 
being made by the medical fraternity and in 
his mercantile and banking methods he is 
systematic and progressive. In addition to 
his other interests he is the owner of two 
hun.dred acres of land in Vermilion county, 
and associated with L. D. Lane he estab- 
Ifshed the Messner & Lane Bank of Hen- 
ning. 

In 1866 Lewis C. Messner was married 
to IVIary Drummond and unto them were 
born two children : William C, who is en- 
gaged in banking and merchandising in 
Jamaica, Vermilion county; and Nellie M., 
wife of C. G. Layton, of Potomac. In 1873 
Dr. Messner wedded Maria J. Clarke and 
their only child died in infancy. In June, 
1899, occurred the marriage of Dr. Messner 
and Jennie Johnston, who died March 27, 
1903, leaving a baby boy, Lewis Clifton, Jr., 
born February 6, 1903. 

Fraternally Mr. Messner is a member of 



the Masonic lodge of Potomac and he is a 
member and trustee of the Methodist Episco- 
pal church. In politics a Republican, he has 
long been an active worker in the ranks of 
the party and in 1875 ^^^ ^^'^s appointed 
school treasurer of township 21, range 13, 
and has held the ofiice continuously since. 
Plans conducive to the general good re- 
ceive his endorsement, measures for the pub- 
lic benefit are given his hearty aid. At the 
same time he has carried on his private 
business interests with such energy that he 
has attained a place among the most suc- 
cessful men of his adopted city. 



J. M. WRAY. 

J. M. Wray was born in Oakwood town- 
ship, October 14, 1856, and is a son of An- 
drew J. and Ellen ( Smith ) Wray, the form- 
er a native of Indiana and the latter of Ken- 
tucky. The father was born in 1825 and 
was a son of William and Abigail (Pass- 
more) Wray, who were natives of Ohio. 
The Smith family was early established in 
Covington, Indiana, and on the 24th of De- 
cember, 1848, Ellen Smith gave her hand in 
marriage to Andrew J. Wray, with whom 
she removed from Indiana to Illinois in 1853- 
In their family were nine children five of 
whom reached years of maturity. The three 
eldest were born in Fountain county, Indiana, 
but Mary, the first born, died in infancy. 
The others are : Mrs. Letitia Barnhart, of 
this county, and William, a butcher of Fith- 
ian township. In their family were also 
twins who died in infancy and the others 
were : J. M. : Mrs. Eliza Wray and An- 
drew of Oakwood township ; and Abigail, 
who died in infancy. 

Andrew J. Wray is a blacksmith by occu- 



lOIO 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



pation, following that iiursuit in Fountain 
county, Indiana, in early life. In 1853 he 
came to Vermilion county and here pre- 
empted land, purchasing his first quarter sec- 
tion for one dollar and twenty-five cents per 
acre. He afterward bought a forty acre 
tract at twelve and one-half cents per acre, 
it being entered as swamp land. It is situ- 
ated on section 26. Oak wood township, and 
is now luider cultivation being the property 
of the subject of this review. Its value has 
greatly increased, for it is to-day worth one 
hundred and twenty-five dollars i)er acre. 
When -Andrew J. Wray arrived in Vermilion 
county, Danville, then a little village, was 
surrounded by tracts of unbroken prairie and 
the work df ])rogress and improvement had 
scarcely been begun here. He drove his 
stock to market at Chicago and prices were 
very low compared to those paid at the pre- 
sent time. The country was full of wild 
game, including deer, and wolves were fre- 
quently killed. Mr. Wray was a great hunt- 
er and often retiuMied to his home with his 
horse covered with furs and pelts of animals 
he had captured, many of which were mink. 
The first home of the family was a one-story 
log house containing two rooms and it was 
in this pioneer cabin that all of the children 
were born excejit the first three. Mr. Wray 
lived upon the home farm until 1S98 and 
during that time j)laced it under a high state 
of cultivation, planted an orchard and added 
all modern improvements and accessories. 
He put in the lirst tiling used in the neighbor- 
hood and thus reclaimed land that had hither- 
to been uncultivable. He also built a good 
two-story residence upon bis farm. At the 
time of the breaking out nf the C'ivil war be 
offered his services to the government but 
was not accepted because of his eyesight. 
Later, however, he was drafted but not de- 
siring to go at that time he paid one hundred 



dollars to a stibstitute. He was one of the 
standard bearers of the Republican party and 
a member of the Methodist church. 

While her husband was engaged in the 
work of field and meadow Mrs. Wray per- 
formed the duties of the household and the 
equipments of the home were equally pri- 
niitixe with those of the field. She remem- 
bers to have seen the fires built with llint 
and tow and she often spun and wove the 
materials used for clothing by the family. 
She was born April 16, 1826, and was a 
daughter of Asa and Jane ( Finkland) Smith. 
l)Oth of whom were natives of Kentucky. 
In their family were se\en children but Mrs. 
Wray was the only child at the time of the 
removal of the parents from Kentucky to 
Indiana. She can remember when corn sold 
for twelve and one-half cents per bushel and 
when other farm produce brought equally 
low prices. In order to assist in securing a 
comfortable competence she spun and wove 
cloth used in making the gannents for the 
family. Mr. Wray hauled the timber from 
Covington, Indiana, to build his first house, 
oxen being used in the place of horses. Fre- 
quently the family made their way to church 
in a wagon drawn by oxen, Mrs. Wray driv- 
ing a yoke herself. She is a most estimable 
lady, a worthy representative of a high type 
of pioneer women, and is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. 

J. M. Wray, whose name introduces this 
review, had but limited educational privi- 
leges. In the summer months he had to herd 
cattle upon the prairie and in the winter 
season cared for the stock in the field, being 
thus engaged between the ages of seven and 
sixteen years. He then learned the trade of 
a carpenter and was engaged in contracting 
and building for twenty years, or until July, 
1902. when he returned to the old homestead 
farm and is now actively engaged in agri- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



lOI I 



cultural work upon the land which he plowed 
when but eight years of age. He first used 
an old twelve-inch plow and cut his grain 
with a cradle. Later the rake was brought 
into use and in course of time improved ma- 
chinery was secured and greatly facilitated 
the work of the farm. He has witnessed the 
entire development and growth of the county 
from an uncultivated prairie to its splendid 
condition of the present time. He lived here 
at a. period when it was necessary to go five 
miles in order to enjoy educational privileges, 
but his father was a friend of the schools 
and aided in building four different school- 
houses and now within a half-mile of the 
old homestead is a substantial brick school 
building, which was erected at a cost of 
twenty-five hundred dollars, and the new 
j\Iethodist Episcopal church, built at a cost 
of twenty-six hundred dollars, is within a 
quarter of a mile of Mr. Wray's home. 

On the 1 2th of July, 1874, before he was 
nineteen years of age, Mr. Wray was united 
in marriage to Emma Brunner, who w'as 
born June 17, 1859. and is a daughter of 
David and Matilda ( Dephendahl ) Brunner. 
She obtained good educational privileges and 
taught her husband how to read and write, 
for he had not learned to do those things 
when he was married. Seven children have 
been born unto ]\Ir. and Mrs. Wray : Anna, 
now deceased; Elizabeth J., of Oklahoma; 
Andrew D. and Sarah I., who have passed 
away; Lettie and Rettie, twins who are at 
home; and Emil, deceased. Mrs. Wray died 
at the birth of this child who lived to be but 
five months old. Elizabeth, the second mem- 
ber of the family, is the wife of Andrew 
Rookstod, who is living in Cleveland, Okla- 
homa. They have one child, Ardus. 

In his political views Mr. Wray is a Re- 
publican. He owns forty acres of the old 
home tract and is now successfully engaged 



in farming, having a good home, supplied 
with all modern equipments and in keeping 
with the edvanced ideas of farming of the 
present day. 



W. C. JOHNSON. 

With a clear conception of both the ditTi- 
culties and possibilities for the development 
and improvement of the city through the 
medium of real-estate transactions, W. C. 
Johnson, a practical business man with keen 
foresight and executive ability, has laid out 
the Oak Lawn addition to Danville and is to- 
day the manager of the Danville Improve- 
ment Association. Through his operations 
in real estate he has not only promoted his 
own success but has done much for the 
growth and development of the city, con- 
trolling improvements in the Oak Lawn ad- 
dition in a way to make it a valuable exten- 
sion to the city's borders. 

Mr. Johnson was born in Richmond, 
Kentucky, December 28, 1858, and is a son 
of R. H. and Susan (Goodloe) Johnson, the 
former a native of Covington, Indiana, and 
the latter of Frankfort, Kentucky. They 
were married in Richmond of the latter state 
and the father engaged in editing and pub- 
lishing the Richmond Messenger. At the 
time of the Civil war he enlisted for service 
and after the close of hostilities he came to 
Danville. Illinois, in 1866. Here he be- 
came editor of the Danville Plaindealer, con- 
tinuing his connection with that paper for a 
number of years, after which he became a 
representative of the Danville Times. He 
next was one of the founders of the Danville 
News, owning a part of that paper, but after 
nine vears he sold his interest and became a 
partner in the Danville Commercial, con- 
tinuing the publication of that journal until 



I0I2 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



lie retired permanentl}' from the newspaper 
field. About 1898 he was elected coroner 
of Vermilion county and is filling that office 
at the present time. An active worker in 
the ranks of the l^epublican ])arty he puts 
forth every effort to promote its growth and 
insure its success. At one time he was a 
prominent member of the Masonic and Odd 
Fellows Societies, but takes no active part in 
lodge work at the present time. Both he 
and his wife hold membership in the I'irst 
Christian church. 

W. C. Johnson pursued his education in 
the schools of Richmond and afterward of 
Danville, but has been largely self-educated 
in the school of eN])erience. for at the early 
age of thirteen years he began earning his 
own living as "devil" in the News printing 
office. For eight years he was employed 
in different departments of that printing 
office, serving his apprenticeship as a com- 
positor, and at the end of that time he entered 
the government service as assistant post- 
master of Danville, in which capacity he 
served acceptably for eight and one-half 
years. His next step in the business world 
was as a merchant and until 1899 he con- 
tinued his connection with trade, but since 
that time has operated in real estate and 
loans. As stated above, in conjunction 
with the Hon. George T. Buckingham, he 
laid out Oak Lawn addition to the city, con- 
taining one hundred and se\-enty-six acres, 
and this he has rapidly ])latted. it proving 
one of the valuable additions to Danville. 
Aside from being manager of the Danville 
Improvement Association he has other busi- 
ness interests, being the secretary and treas- 
urer of the Western Silica Company. 

On the 28th of October, 1882, in this city, 
occurred the marriage of Mr. Johnson and 
Ida Afyers, who was born in Carey. Ohio, 
in November, 1859, a daughter of Leonard 



and Susan (Greenwalt) Myers. In 1899 
Mr. Johnson was called upon to mourn the 
loss of his wife, who died on the 7th of Feb- 
ruary of that year, and was laid to rest in 
Spring Hill cemetery. Four children have 
been born to them : Meta. Helen and Philip 
and Clinton, twins. 

Fraternally connected with the Masons, 
Mr. Johnson was raised in Danville Lodge 
in 1882, and he is also a member of Athels- 
tan Commanden,-, K. T. He belongs to the 
Knights of Pythias fraternity, to the Inde- 
jiendent Order of Odd Fellows, to the Mod- 
ern Woodmen of America, and is exalted 
ruler in the Elks Lodge of this place. A 
strong adx'ocate of the i)olitical principles 
constituting the platform of the Repulilican 
]iart\-. his influence is given for its siipjiort 
and he is now serving as assessor and collect- 
or of Danx'ille township, yet he has never 
been a politician in the sense of office seeking, 
preferring to give his time and energies to 
his business affairs which capably controlled 
ha\e brought to him creditable success. 

♦v^^ 



JOSEPH WERNER. 

Joseph Werner is well known in Danville, 
where he is now serving as alderman, and as 
a reprcsentatixc of the business interests of 
the city he is engaged in the manufacture ot 
cigars. Throughout his entire lite he has 
resided in l)an\ille. his birth basing here 
occurred I'"ebruary 17, 1863. He is a son 
of Leopold and Johanna (Myers) Werner, 
both of whom were natives of Germany and 
came to America in the year of 1836. settling 
first in Stamford. Connecticut, where the 
father was employed in a foundry for a few 
years. He then came west, 'establishing his 
Illume in Covington, Tndi.'uia. where he de- 
\(ited his energies to the pork-i)acking busi- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1013 



ness for several years. His next removal 
brought him to Danville and here he contin- 
ued pork-packing until a few years had gone 
by, when he purchased a tract of land in 
Newell township and turned his attention to 
farming, that business claiming his attention 
until his demise, which occurred in Septem- 
ber, 1898. His widow still survives him 
and resides on the old family homestead in 
Newell township. This worthy couple were 
the parents of five children : Teresa, the 
wife of John M. Conlin, who is foreman of 
the Commercial office, of Danville; August, 
who operates the home farm in Newell town- 
ship ; Catherine, who resides with her moth- 
er; Adolph, who is employed by the Consoli- 
dated Ice Company of Chicago ; and Joseph, 
of this review. 

Like the other members of the family 
Joseph Werner pursued his education in the 
school near his home and thai began work- 
ing for Joseph McAulitYe in a cigar factory 
of Danville. For fourteen years he was em- 
ployed in different cigar factories, and in 
1889 he embarked in business on his own ac- 
count, establishing a manufactory at No. 
305 .South street, where he has since re- 
mained. He employs a number of ex- 
perienced workmen and manufactures sev- 
eral kinds of high grade cigars, selling most- 
ly to the local trade. His business has 
reached profiitable proportions and in the 
enterprise which he established thirteen years 
ago he is finding a good source of income. 

Mr. Werner was married to Miss Mary 
Carey, a native of Indiana, and a daughter 
of Patrick and Mary Carey, both of whom 
are deceased. Four children have been born 
unto our subject and his wife : Carl, Mar- 
garet, Catherine and. Elizabeth. 

In his political views Mr. Werner has 
always been an earnest Democrat, keeping 
well informed on the issues of the day and 



taking an active part in the work of the 
Democracy. He has served as an alderman 
of Danville for the past ten years and at the 
present time is holding the office. Progress, 
reform and improvement have been the 
causes for which he has labored in his official 
position and his efforts in behalf of the city 
have not been without desirable result. So- 
cially he is connected with the Modern Wood- 
men of Danville, with the Catholic Order of 
Foresters, and with the Cigarmakers" Union 
No. 80. Both he and his wife are members 
of St. Patrick's Catholic church of Danville, 
and they reside at No. 419 Commercial street, 
where the hospitality of their home is greatly 
enjoyed by their many friends. 



JOSEPH BAIRD. 



^ 



More than one-third of a century ago 
Joseph Baird became a resident of Vermilion 
county and has since been a representative of 
its agricultural interests. He has witnessed 
much of the growth and development of the 
county within this period and has ever mani- 
fested a deep and active interest in measures 
pretaining to the general good. His life, 
though cjuietly passed, has been characterized 
by all that is honorable and straightforward 
in his dealings with his fellow men and he 
therefore commands the respect and confi- 
dence of those with whom he has been 
associated. 

Mr. Baird was born in Adams county, 
Ohio, November 15, 1825, and comes of a 
family of Irish lineage, his paternal grand- 
father, John Baird, having been born on 
the Emeraild isle, whence he crossed the At- 
lantic to the new world. Thomas Baird, 
the father, was a native of Ohio and after 
arriving at years of maturity he wedded Sus- 



IOI4 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



an Hughes, whose birth occurred in Pennsyl- 
vania. She was a daughter of Joseph 
Hughes, for whom our subject was named, 
and who was a stonemason by trade. The 
wedding of Thomas Baird and Susan 
Hughes was celebrated in Adams county, 
Ohio, where they began domestic life, the 
father devoting his energies to agricultural 
pursuits. Subsequently he removed with his 
family to Brown county, Ohio, where he re- 
mained until his death, which occurred about 
i860. His wife survived him for only a 
brief period, passing away in 1862, at which 
time she was laid to rest by his side in Rail- 
road cemetery, of Brown county. In his 
political views Thomas Baird was a stanch 
Democrat, unfaltering in his support of the 
princijjles in which he believed and both he 
and his wife were loyal and devoted mem- 
bers of the Christian church. In their fami- 
ly were eight children : John, who died at 
the age of twenty-one years ; Mary Jane, 
who wedded J. Runalds, a resident of Ne- 
braska ; Joseph : Frank, who married Agnes 
Jordan and after her death wedded Sallie 
Ann Baldwin, but lioth he and his second 
wife died in Champaign, Illinois; George, 
who was a soldier of the Union army in the 
Civil war and died from the effects of his 
military service; Thomas, who died at the 
age of eighteen years ; Katie Ann, who died 
at the age of ten years; and J. S., who 
wedded Julia Sparks and after her death 
married Rella Neville. His second wife died 
and he then married Mrs. Smith, making 
his home near Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Joseph Baird jnirsued his education in 
subscription schools. He was first a student 
at Briar Red school in .\dams county, Ohio, 
the little temple of learning lieing built of 
hewed logs and supplied with slab seats 
which rested upon wooden pegs. He be- 
came an expert at making goose quill pens 



and he mastereil the elementary branches of 
learning there taught. Later he continued 
his education in the Koppel school, which 
was also conducted on the subscription plan. 
Tkrough the w intei^ months he there pur- 
sued his studies while in the summer months 
he aided in the labors of the home farm. At 
the age of fifteen, however, he put aside his 
text-books altogether and thereafter his 
knowledge was broadened through reading, 
experience and observation. Learning the 
blacksmith's trade he followed that pursuit 
in Brown county, Ohio, for a time and subse- 
quently removed to Ripley in Union town- 
ship near Cincinnati, Ohio, where he secured 
employment at his trade. 

While residing in that locality Mr. Baird 
sought a companion and helpmate for life's 
journey and wedded Miss Elizabeth Ann 
Baldwin, a native of Kentucky, but she sur- 
vived for only a few years, passing away in 
1S57. In 1859 Mr. Baird was again mar- 
ried, his second union l)eing with Lucinda 
W'yckoft', who died in i860. In 1863 he was 
joined in wedlock to Mary Neal, who is now 
living with him in this county. In the year 
1865 Joseph Baird came to \"ermilion coun- 
tv, Illinois, establishing his home upon a 
farm which he cultivated for some time. He 
then sold that pro])erty and removed to Fair- 
mount. Later, however, he rented a farm 
and is now li\ing in Catlin township, sui:)er- 
intending his agricultural interests. His 
sons, George, Frank and Smiley, had all 
come to \'ermilion county several years be- 
fore the arrival of the father and, purchasing 
land here, had become well-to-do. 

By his first marriage Mr. Baird had six 
children : Thomas, now deceased, married 
IMartha Jones and his widow resides with 
her two sons in Fairmount. George, the 
second of the family, is mentioned elsewhere 
in this work. Sarah lane is the deceased 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



loi 5 



wife of Henry Browning who married again 
and lived in Vance township, Vermihon 
connty, but both he and his second wife have 
also passed away. Frank is also mentioned 
elsewhere in this work. Smiley married 
Hattie Browning by whom he has five chil- 
dren and they reside upon a farm at Homer. 
Charles, the youngest child of this marriage, 
died at the age of four years. The children 
bom unto Mr. Baird and his present wife 
were two in number, but only one is now 
living, Samuel J., who married Etta Allison 
and resides with his father upon the farm in 
Catlin township. He has two daughters. 
In his political views Joseph Baird is in- 
dependent. He keeps well informed on the 
questions and issues of the day, but gives his 
vote in support of men and measures rather 
than of party. While living in Ohio he 
served as supervisor for four terms, but he 
has never been an office seeker, preferring 
that his time and attention should be given 
to his business interests. His life record 
now covers seventy-seven years and there is 
much in his career that is worthy of emula- 
tion. Industrious and energetic he has 
labored earnestly for the welfare of his fami- 
ly and in all business relations has been found 
lionorable and trustworthy. In matters of 
citizenship he is public-spirited and progres- 
sive, withholding his support irom no mea- 
sure which he has believed would prove of 
general good. During his residence in Ver- 
milion county he has become widely known 
and all with whom he has been brought in 
contact entertain for him high regard. 



BYRON E. CRONKHITE. 

Byron E. Cronkhite is a well known man- 
ufacturer of Rossville and for forty years he 
was enrolled among the wide-awake and pro- 
gressive farmers of V^ermilion county, still 



owning six hundred and forty acres of \'al- 
uable land which lies in Ross and Grant 
townships. From the spring of i860 he has 
made his home in this county and his fidelity 
to the duties of a public and private life has 
been the salient element in winning for him 
the respect and confidence of his fellow men. 
Mr. Cronkhite was born in ^^'arren coun- 
ty, Indiana, a son of Sidney Cronkhite, 
whose birth occurred in New York, in 1808. 
Levi Cronkhite, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was also a native of the Empire state 
and was of German descent, the family hav- 
ing been established in New York at a very 
early day by emigrants from the fatherland. 
About 181 3 he removed to Ohio and was one 
of the first settlers in that state, where he 
continued to make his home until about 1828. 
He then went to Warren county, Indiana, 
settling- near the present town of Marshfield, 
wh.ere he purchased land and developed an 
extensive farm in connection with his broth- 
ers. Sidney Cronkhite was a tall young 
man of eighteen years when the family locat- 
ed in the Hoosier state. As a companion 
and helpmate for life journey he later 
chose Cornelia Tillotson, who was born iu 
Xew York and was a daughter of Luther 
Tillotson, another early settler of Warren 
county. Indiana. Sidney Cronkhite be- 
came an extensive farmer there. He 
worked early antl late in order to improve 
the fields and raise good crops and in course 
of time became the owner of a valuable farm, 
upon which he reard his family. There he 
also spent his last years, passing away in 
.1875. His wife had died about 1845 ^^'^ ^""^ 
had afterward married again. By the first 
marriage there were four children : Priscil- 
la, the wife of Mansfield Reece. a farmer of 
Rice county, Kansas: John \\'.. who died in 
1872; Byron E.. of this review, and Levi 
M., who resides in Grant township. 



ici6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



In Warren county. Indiana. Byron E. 
Cronkhite spent the clays of liis childhood 
upon his father's farm and at tlie usual age he 
entered the common schools, there pursuing 
his studies. He remained on the home place 
until he had attained his majority and in the 
fall of 1859 he came to Vermillion county, 
Illinois. Here he spent a short time but did 
not locate permanently until the spring of 
i860. He first leased a tract of land, broke 
the fields and further improved the property. 
Later he purchased land and added to his 
original purchase from time to time as his 
financial resources increased, so that he now 
owns six hundred and forty acres, the great- 
er part of which is contained in one tract. 
He has erected two good houses and two 
sets of farm buildings, has planted orchards, 
has laid many rods of tiling and has thus 
made substantial improvements upon his 
land, which he has converted into valuable 
farms. He also engaged successfully in rais" 
ing and feeding stock, but for several years 
he has rented his land, while he makes his 
home in Rossville. He came to the town in 
the winter of 1902 and is now engaged in the 
manufacture of novelties. He has gotten 
out several important patents on devices of 
his own invention, including a plasterer's 
trestle and also a grain separator. Both are 
valuable pieces of mechanism and are des- 
tined to have a large sale in the business 
world. He established a tile factory in 
Grant township in 1883 and was engaged in 
its operation until 1888. making tile in order 
to transform the swampy land into produc- 
tive fields. Mr. Cronkhite is one of the direct- 
ors and stockholders in The Fairweight Scale 
Company, of Dan\ille. He has twenty- 
seven acres just outside the corporate limits 
of that city, of which he has set ofif nine acres 
on which the company is going to erect a 
factory, the rest being laid off in town lots. 



Mr. Cronkhite is a prominent Mason, be- 
longing to the blue lodge and chapter. He 
votes independently at local elections, regard- 
ing only the capability of the candidates. 
His first presidential ballot was cast for Ab- 
raham Lincoln in i860 and for some years 
thereafter he was identified with the Repub- 
lican party. A self-made man, he deserves 
much credit for what he has accomplished. 
As the years passed he prospered in his work 
of improving his farm and his extensive 
landed possessions are the visible evidence of 
his life of industry, thrift and enterprise. 



W. W. DL'LEY. 



W. \\'. Duley. a real-estate and collecting 
agent of Hoopeston. who is also filling the 
position of justice of the peace, was born in 
Fleming county, Kentucky, on the 226 of 
May, 1837. and is a son of Hiram Duley 
who was a minister of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church and an enterprising farmer. 
The subject of this review comes of Irish 
lineage. His great-grandfather in the pa- 
ternal line was a native of the Emerald isle, 
spelled his name Dooley, and became the 
founder of the family in the new world. 
Hiram Duley was the owner of considerable 
land in Kentucky and successfully carried on 
farming throughout the years of his busi- 
ness career. He died, however, in 1842, 
when the subject of this review was but five 
years of age. His wife bore the maiden 
name of Sophia Northcott, and was of Eng- 
lish lineage. She is still living in Kentucky 
at the old home place, at the age of ninety- 
two years. After the death of Rev. Hiram 
Duley she married his brother, Charles Z. 
Duley, who died several years ago. Our 
subject had two brothers and one sister and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1017 



one of the brothers and the sister are yet hv- 
ing. namely: Benjamin Z., who resides in 
Cato, Arkansas, and ]\Irs. Martha Shields, 
whose home is in Ludlow, Missouri. 

Upon the home farm W. W. Duley was 
reared. He received but limited educational 
privileges in the schools of Kentucky and at 
the age of twenty-one years he left home, 
after which he conducted a steam sawmill in 
the mountains. He thus made a fair start 
in life, successfully conducting this enter- 
prise for three years. In i860 he came to 
Vermilion county, Illinois, where he was en- 
gaged in farming and worked until the 
time of his enlistment for service as a defend- 
er of the LTnion in the Civil war. It was on 
the 1st of September, 1861, that he was en- 
rolled among the boys in blue of Company C, 
Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry, under the 
command of Captain E. B. Payne and Colo- 
nel Charles Black. He served under Gen- 
erals Fremont, Curtis, Schofield and Herron, 
with the Army of the Frontier, being en- 
gaged in duty in Arkansas, Missouri and 
Indian Territory. He assisted in the cap- 
ture of a part of Quantrell's band at Silver 
Creek, Missouri, and was in the battles of 
Pea Ridge and Sugar Creek, Arkansas, and 
Newtonia and Neosha, Missouri. At the 
battle of Pea Ridge he was wounded in the 
knee, and still carries the bullet there, but has 
suffered no inconvenience from his wound. 
At the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, 
however, he was shot in the thigh and this 
to some extent has interferred in the use of 
the limb. The government now gives him 
a pension of eight dollars per month. He 
served as a private and on account of his 
wound was honorably discharged at Spring- 
field, Missouri, returning to his home in Ver- 
milion county about the ist of April, 1863. 

Through the following year Mr. Duley 
engaged in no work, recuperating from his 

41 



wounds and his army experience. He then 
began handling horses, buying and selling a 
number of stallions, and a year later he re- 
turned his attention to farming, which he 
continued until 1891. In 1872 he purchased 
one hundred and sixty acres of land se\'en 
miles southeast of Hoopeston, there making 
his home until 1883, when he went west to 
South Dakota and secured a claim of govern- 
ment land. He had three rights under the 
law and thus obtained four hundred acres. 
For six years he remained in that state, after 
which he sold a part of his land and mort- 
gaged part, and returned to Grant township, 
Vermilion county. He lost everything he 
had in South Dakota because of three suc- 
cessive failures of crops, having undertaken 
to farm in the new country when the land 
was not adapted for that purpose. For two 
years after his return Mr. Duley engaged in 
farming the land of C. A. Allen. In 1891 
he came to Hoopeston, entering the employ 
of the Illinois Can Company, where he 
remained for five years in the vard and on 
the farm during the summer seasons. He 
was then elected justice of the peace in 1897. 
and in 1901 he was re-elected, so that he is 
now serving a second term. His decisions 
are fair and impartial, being based upon legal 
principles and the equity of the case. He is 
also engaged in real-estate operations and in 
making collections. 

In Bath county, Kentucky, in 1864, Mr. 
Duley was united in marriage to Letitia 
Wilson, who was born in Indiana. She had 
one brother who is yet living, George T. 
Wilson, a farmer of Grant township. For 
about fifteen 3'ears he was foreman of the 
Illinois Can Company, being the field 
manager during the crop season and also 
acting as overseer for the delivery of the 
corn to the factory during the canning seas- 
on. In 1902 ?^lr. Duley was called upon to 



loiS 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



miiurn tlie loss of his wife, wlio dietl on the 
7th of July of that year, her demise greatly 
regretted, hecause she possessed many excel- 
lent (|ualities which endeared her to a large 
circle oi friends. She left three children : 
Ina M., the wife of J. W. Ogden. who is a 
mail agent on the Wahash Railroad ; George, 
who is with his father in business ; and John, 
who married Frances Fernald. of Hoopeston. 
He is a traveling salesman representing a 
Louisville house, and makes his home in 
Hoopeston. 

In his political views Mr. Duley is a stal- 
wart Republican and for five years was town- 
ship constable. He belongs to the Grand 
Army of the Republic and for nearly forty 
years has been a member of the Cliristian 
church. Having long resided in this locality, 
his acquaintance is ven*' wide and he enjoys 
the fa\-orable regard of many with whom he 
has been bri'vght in contact. 



FRANK A. GIDDIXGS. 

Frank A. Giddings was born in Dan\ille 
May 6, 1868. His paternal grandfather was 
William Giddings, a native of Bedfordshire. 
England, in which place he was reared and 
married. He learned the trade of wagon- 
making in that ciuintry and in 1837 sailed 
from London to the new world, coming 
direct to Danville by way of the lakes, the 
canal and thence by team to his destination. 
He first worked at his trade as a journeyman, 
but as soon as he had saved enough he pur- 
chased iiis employers business and engaged 
in the manufacture of wagons and plows. 
constructing the latter with wooden moKl 
boards, but later manufacturing steel plows. 
He also continued the manufacture of wag- 
ons and carriages, building up an extensive 
business, which be continued up to the time 



of his death in 1875. He married Miss Caro- 
line Kitchener, who died in 1874. Their 
Sim. John W. Giddings, became the fatlier 
of our subject. He was born in Danxille 
and became associated in business with his 
father and for many years continued in the 
manufacture of wagons and plows. He 
also established a heavy hardware business 
now CKuductcd by his son. Frank, entering 
into partnersliip with James A. Patterson, 
under the firm name of Giddings & Patter- 
son in 1879. The firm of J. W. Giddings 
& Son became successors to the original firm 
in 1894 and in 1900 the father sold his in- 
terest to his son. J. \\". Giddings has since 
been engaged in agricultural implement 
business at No. 1 1 Hazel street and thus for 
many year he has continued an active factor 
in commercial life in Danville and his bus- 
iness affairs have contributed largelv to the 
commercial upbuilding of the city. In 1867 
he was united in marriage to Miss Samantha 
McKee. who was born in Georgetown, Illi- 
nois, and they have two children, Frank A. 
and William E., the latter connected with 
the Danville fire department. 

In his vi'uth I'rank A. Giddings attended 
the schools of Danville and at the age of 
eighteen entered his father's establishment, 
becoming thoroughly familiar with the hea\y 
hardware lousiness in every detail. He con- 
tinued as an employe until 1890, when he 
went west to Washington, there remaining 
until the fall of 1891, when he returned to 
this city and again entered his father's store. 
In i8q4 he purchased a partial interest in 
the business which was conducted under 
the firm name of J. W. Giddings & Son 
until 1900. when bYank A. Giddings liecame 
sole proprietor. He has since conducted the 
enterprise with constantly increasing suc- 
cess. He handles everything in the line of 
blacksmith's and wagon-maker's supplies. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1019 



doing both a wholesale and retail business, 
covering eastern Illinois and western In- 
diana. His house sustains an excellent 
reputation because of its conformity to com- 
mercial ethics and its proprietor is widely 
and favorably known in business circles. 

On the 1st of December, 1891, Frank 
A. Giddings was married to Miss Mary F. 
DuBois, of State Line, Indiana, a daughter 
of Frank G. DuBois, one of the early set- 
tlers of Warren county, Indiana. Her 
father died in 1901 and his widow, who 
bore the maiden name of Caroline L. H. 
Kent, is now living with Mr. and Mrs. 
Giddings. .V son, Frank J., born Septeml^er 
24, 1892, adds life and light to the Gid- 
dings household. 

Fraternally Mr. Giddings is connected 
with the Damascus Lodge, No. 84, K. P., 
and politically he is a Republican. Success 
and failure lie equi-distant from every in- 
dividual at the outest of his career and it 
depends upon the man in what direction 
his progress shall be made. Biography has 
proven again and again that success is not 
a matter of genius or of circumstance, but 
the outcome of clear judgment, experience 
and close application and. realizing this 
fact, Frank A. Giddings has so directed his 
energies that to-day he is in control of the 
business enterprise of importance that classes 
him among the substantial residents of his 
native city. 



JOHN A. LITTLER. 

John A. Littler is an honored veteran 
of the Civil war and one who has been 
active in public affairs in Potomac and Ver- 
milion county. He has resided in this town 
twenty-three years and is numbered among 
the old settlers of the countv, where he has 



made his home since 1840. He was lx)rn 
near London, Ohio, April 22, 1838, and is 
a son of John Littler, who was married in 
that state to Cordelia Radcliffe. The father 
of our subject was a mechanic, a carpenter 
and joiner by trade, engaging in liuilding 
operations during his early life. In 1840 
he removed to Illinois, settling in Vermil- 
ion county, and from the government he 
entered land which he broke and cultivated, 
de\-eIoping there a good farm near Muncie 
Upon that place he reared his family and 
spent his last years, his death occurring in 
1864. His wife survived him for a few 
years, passing away in 1868. To this 
worthy couple were born five sons and two 
daughters, all of whom reached years of 
maturit)-, although John A. and Cyrus R. 
are now the only ones living. 

John A. Littler spent his boyhood days 
upon the old home farm. No event of 
special importance occurred to vary for him 
the routine of farm life during his youth. 
The common schools afforded him his ed- 
ucational privileges and his training in the 
work of field and meadow was received under 
his father, with whom he remained until 
he had reached man's estate. He afterward 
worked at the trade of carpentering and 
building, doing business as a contractor foi" 
a few years. When the country became in- 
volved in Civil war and it was seen that 
hostilities would probably continue for a 
long period he resolved to aid in the preser- 
vation of the Union and enlisted in August, 
1862, as a member of Company B. Seventy- 
sixth Illinois Infantry, with which he went 
to the south. The regiment was attached 
to the Western Army and he participated 
in the siege of Vicksburg and the capture 
of that city. Later he was in the battle of 
Black River Bridge and Jackson and was 
on detailed service for six months. He 



I020 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



then rejoined liis regiment at Xew Orleans 
and Avas afterward in the engagement at 
Mobile and at Fort Blakely. Later he was 
sent to Texas and was mustered out at 
Galveston, that state, after which he re- 
turned to the north and was honorably dis- 
charged in Chicago in 1865. 

Immediately afterward ]\Ir. Littler re- 
tiuMied tti his home and when he had some- 
what recuperated from the ill effects oc- 
casioned by the hardships of war he en- 
gaged again in constructing and building for 
a few years, after which he turned his at- 
tention to the grain business in l-'ithian. be- 
ing one of the first to locate in that town. 
There he carried on business for alx)ut six 
years, after which he established his home 
in IMuncie, where he was connected with 
the grain trade for two years. In 1879 ^^^ 
came to Potomac and here entered the rail- 
road employ as a station agent, acting in 
that capacity for eighteen years, during 
wiiich time he iiad charge of the business 
of the Illinois Central Railroad. 

Mr. Littler was married in this county 
about uS68 to Mary A. Copeland, a native 
of Illinois, reared and educated in this 
county, and a daughter of Hamilton Cope- 
laiul. who was one of the first settlers here. 
They now have two children, P'anny and 
Lulu L. The former is the wife of Charles 
E. Judy, a farmer of Vermilion county, by 
whom she has three children. The latter 
is the wife of Elmer R. Kirkhart, now of 
Ashe\ille. Xnrth Carolina. The f;unily has 
long been a prominent one in the community, 
the members of the household occupying 
an enviable position in the regard of their 
friends and acquaintances. 

A stanch Democrat in his political 
views, Mr. Littler cast his first presidential 
vote for Stephen A. Douglas, the "little 
giant" of Illinois, in i860. In 1864 he voted 



for -Abraham Lincoln, being then home on 
a furlough, and since that time has gi\en 
his loyalty to the presidential nominees of 
the Democracy. While a resident of Fith- 
ian he was elected assessor of Oakwood 
township and later justice of the peace, 
serving in the latter position for three years, 
when he resigned preparatory to remov- 
ing to Potomac. Here he has also served for 
one term as justice of the peace and is now 
serving his second year as police magistrate. 
He has likewise been a memljer of the school 
board of Potomac, serving in that capacity 
at the time the present school building was 
erected. 

A meTulier of the Ma.sonic fraternity, 
he was made a Mason in Olive Branch 
Lodge at Danville, and later became a char- 
ter member of Potomac Lodge, in which he 
has filled all the ofiices. He is a past master 
and is likewise the present master, having 
served in the position for a number of terms. 
He has also represented the lodge in the 
grand lodge of the state on sexeral occasions. 
His name is likewise on the membership roll 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
in which he has filled all the chairs and 
is a past grand, while for three terms he 
has represented the subordinate lodge and 
the grand lodge at Springfield. He and his 
wife became members of the Order of the 
Eastern Star, but she is now demitted. Mr. 
Littler is likewise connected with the Re- 
bekah degree of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows and with the Crand .\rmy 
Post, in which he was a commander. Many 
of the resiilents of \'ermilion county have 
long remained within its borders, but .imong 
those who have had their residence here from 
an early day, none have been more loyal to 
its interests or taken a more active part in 
its progress. Si.xty-two years have passed 
since his arrival and he is iustiv regarded 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



102I 



as one of the public-spirited citizens whose 
worth is widely known and acknowledged. 
On the field of battle he was a \'alorous 
soldier and in times of peace he is equally 
faithful to his country. 



JOHN McFARLAND. 

John McFarland is the owner and 
operator of a valuable farm of three hun- 
dred and eighty acres, situated on section 
II, Oakwood township. He was born in 
Somerset county, Pennsylvania, July 15th 
1818, and is a son of John and Elizabeth 
(Layton) McFarland. His father was a 
native of Scotland and his mother of Penn- 
sylvania. They were married in the Key- 
stone state and there the father followed 
farming. From there they removed to Bel- 
mont county, Ohio, settling near Henrys- 
burg, where they resided for twenty years. 
They came to Vennilion county, Illinois, in 
1859, their son John having located here 
on the farm he now owns, in 1856. The 
father and mother made their home with 
their son John until their death. The father 
died in 1862, at the age of eighty-four years 
and the mother died in Ohio, in 1854. 
John McFarland, Sr., was a member of the 
Presbyterian church and in politics was a 
Whig. He served in the war of 18 12 and 
fought at Fort Meigs, with Generals Har- 
rison and Johnson. He shot Tecumseh, 
the Indian chief, at the same time General 
Johnson's fatal shot was fired. Johnson 
always divided the honor of killing the 
Indian chief with Mr. McFarland. The 
grandfather of our subject lived and died 
in Scotland, whence his four sons, John and 
three brothers, came to America. 

John McFarland of this review was one 



of a family of se\-en boys and five girls, 
only one now living, Jane, the widow 
of Charles Turner, who makes her home 
with Mr. McFarland. In the district schools 
of Bedford county. Pennsylvania, Mr. Mc- 
Farland received his early education. The 
"temple of learning" was a log cabin, with- 
out any floor, with poles for seats and with 
holes cut for windows which were covered 
with oiled paper and fastened by pegs. His 
training in educational work would con- 
tinue through three months in the winter 
season. The remainder of his time was 
spent in work on the farm, where he labored 
with his father and brothers, and their la- 
bors resulted in making the frontier home 
a pleasant and comfortable one. Mr. Mc- 
Farland only received three terms of school- 
ing. The fireplace of the school was eight 
feet across, was made of rock and mud and 
would burn logs eight feet in length. As 
soon as he was old enough to reach the 
plow handles he plowed in the fields. He 
also chopped timber and remained with his 
father until after he was old enough to vote. 
He then came to Sandusky, Ohio, and hired 
out to Mr. Holderman, receiving a salary 
of six dollars per month. He next went 
to Warren county, Pennsylvania, and from 
there went to Indiana, working for a Mr. 
Johnson. He then purchased three boats, 
which he loaded with corn, but as the river 
was very high all three of the boats were 
lost. 

About 1847. in Warren county, Indiana, 
Mr. McFarland was married to Miss Eliza- 
beth Oxford, who was born near Perrys- 
ville, Warren county, Indiana. She was 
a daughter of Abraham Oxford. Her 
mother was a Miss Davidson, and they 
were married in Ohio. The father followed 
farming throughout his active career and in 
politics was a Republican. Mrs. McFarland 



I022 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



was <i member of a family of three boys 
and four girls. She died in 1854, and in 
1857 Mr. McFarland was again married, 
his second union being with Mrs. Henrietta 
(Catlin) Dalby, who was Ixjrn near Chilli- 
cothe, Ohio, November 15. 1821. She was 
reared in X'incennes, Indiana. Her mother 
had two brothers, Aaron and Arnold, who 
were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. 
Her father was Daniel Catlin. a native of 
New York, who married Annie Brown, a 
native of Connecticut. They were married 
near Chillicothe. Ohio, where they lived for 
a time, and then settled on a farm at Evans- 
ville, Indiana. Later they went to Prince- 
ton, Indiana. From there they removed 
to Illinoiss, where they remained for two 
years. They then returned to Princeton, 
Indiana, where they remained for fifteen 
years, removing thence to Springfield, Illi- 
nois, where they made their home until 
their death. The father died about 1850, 
and the mother about 1848. They were 
both members of the Baptist church and he 
was a Republican. They were parents of 
nine children. 

By his first marriage I\Ir. McFarland 
had six children, four of whom reached 
years of maturity. Elijah, now deceased, 
married Lena Chester. His widow resides 
in Oakwood township, with her six children. 
Newton, also deceasetl, married Alice Mead, 
who resides in Oakwood township and has 
one child. Rachel is the wife of Asa Knox, 
of Danville, and they have one child. 
Martha is the wife of Orin Stoker, of Pitts- 
burg, Kansas, and they have three children. 
Unto Mr. Mcl'arland and his second wife 
were born two children who are now living. 
Elmira is the wife of Zeno Stylings. They 
have two daughters and reside in Fair- 
mount, Illinois. Emma became the wife of 
John Littler. After hiv death she married 



William Weaver. By the first marriage she 
has one son. and by the second marriage 
has three daughters, living. Mrs. McFar- 
land by her first marriage with Mr. Dalby, 
became the mother of four children who arc 
living. Elizabeth is the wife of \'incent 
Hayes, resides in Champaign county. Illi- 
nois, and has five children. William :nar- 
ried Alice Smith. After her death he mar- 
ried Ella ^\'hitiker. He had two children 
by his first union and four by his second, 
and is now a resident of Oakwood town- 
ship. Mary Eliza is the wife of John T. 
Ellis and resides near Vandalia, Illinois. 
They have three sons. Julia Frances is the 
widow of Edward Littler, residing in 
Muncie, Jllimns. and has two children. 

After his first marriage Mr. McFarland 
remained in Indiana until alx)Ut 1855, when 
he came to \'ermilion county and bought 
his present farm from the heirs who (jwned 
it. He has resided here continuously since 
and his large farm is a model one of neat- 
ness and thrift. He has a large and com- 
fortable residence and good barns and leads 
a quiet, pleasant life surrounded by all the 
comforts and many of the luxuries of life. 
When he came to X'ermilion county, land 
was worth ten dollars per acre. He paid 
fifteen dollars per acre for his farm, which 
had been partly cultivated, but he has tiled 
and improved it until it does not .seem the 
same place. At that early day Danville had 
a population of twelve hundred. He and 
his partner, Mr. Perbasco. bought all the 
hogs on the W}'andotte ])reser\es and drove 
them from .Sandusky, Ohio, to Baltimore, 
over the mountains, a distance of fi\e hun- 
dred miles, and sold the twcntv-fi\e hun- 
dred hogs in a bunch. Sometimes they had 
to sew moccasins on the feet of the hogs 
so they could travel, as their feet would be 
completely worn out. This was l>efore Air. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1023 



McFarland came to Illinois. Mrs. McFar- 
laiid has also many interesting reminiscen- 
ces to tell of former days — the days of the 
cotton gin, spinning wheels and primitive 
times when there were no matches. She 
says in those early days they could not buy 
a sifter to sift their meal. This difficulty 
was obviated by punching holes in a piece 
of calf-skin and spreading or stretching it 
on a hickory hoop. The pioneers of those 
days knew what it was to be deprived of 
necessities which are so common to our ad- 
vanced state of civilization of to-day that 
we scarcely notice them. Mr. ]\IcFarland 
is a hale and hearty old gentleman of 
eighty-four years, and his wife is also a 
genial and kindly lady who has had many 
interesting experiences of frontier life. Mr. 
McFarland has held all the offices of his 
township. He and his wife are devoted 
members of the Baptist church and in poli- 
tics he is a Republican. Honored and highly 
respected people of the communit}', they 
enjoy the regard of many friends and 
acquaintances. 



ALPHEUS CRUZAN. 

Alpheus Cruzan is a well known con- 
tractor in street paving, concrete construc- 
tion and cement walks at Danville. He de- 
serves mention as one of the leading rep- 
resaitatives of industrial interests here, and 
although yet a young man, his knowledge 
and enterprise have already brought him a 
comfortable competence. 

Mr. Cruzan was born in Manchester, 
Ohio, in 1866. His father, R. S. Cruzan, 
was a native of Indiana, and in early life 
followed farming, in the vicinity of Man- 
chester, Ohio, where he owned considerable 
land. In 1867 he left that place and re- 



moved to Cynthiana, Kentucky, where he 
continued to make his home until 1880, 
which was the year of his arrival in Lexing- 
ton, Kentucky. Throughout his business 
career he carried on agricultural pursuits. 
His wife bore the maiden name of Eliza 
Jane Conner, and was a native of the Blue 
Grass state. They became the parents of 
three children, but the two sisters of our 
subject are now deceased. 

Alpheus Cruzan, having acquired his 
early education in the common schools, later 
continued his studies in the Central Uni- 
versity, at Richmond, where he pursued a 
general course. He afterward engaged in 
bookkeeping for several years, in Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, and followed the same profes- 
sion subsequent to his removal to Danville, 
in 1889, being for three years connected 
with the Golden Rule store in that capacity. 
In 1892 he left Danville and went to Lex- 
ington, Kentucky, where he was engaged in 
the lumber business with his father under 
the firm style of the Cruzan Lumber Cam- 
pany, being a third owner in the enterprise. 
For three years he was associated with that 
business and then again came to Danville, 
where he aided in organizing and putting 
in operation the Danville Telephone Com- 
pany. It was a stock company, incorpo- 
rated, and Mr. Cruzan was chosen treasurer 
and director, serving in those capacites for 
about five years. At one time he owned a 
controling interest but disposed of his tele- 
phone business in 1900. He then took up 
contracting in street paving and cement 
construction, the business being now car- 
ried on under the name of Alpheus Cruzan. 
He is engaged in concrete construction in 
paving, grading, excavating and in con- 
structing sewers, and his annual business 
amounts to about seventy-five thousand 
dollars. He employs on an average of fifty 



1024 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



people during the busy season, wurking live 
crews in his concrete constructiim. His 
patronage comes from a wide territory in- 
chKhng Chicago. Chnton. Lafayette. Indi- 
ana. Detroit and Adrian Michigan, and 
Dan\iilc. Tlie pa\ ing is done in brick, 
granitoid and concrete. The work is of an 
aiduring quahty and has therefore given 
general satisfaction. 

In this city, in iSyj. Mr. Cruzan wedded 
Georgiana Forl^es. of Danville, and unto 
them have been born four cliildren : Georgi- 
ana. Margaret JNIansfield. Elizabeth and 
Roberta Simpson. Mrs. Cruzan's parents 
are both deceased but her stepmother. Mrs. 
Catherine S. Forbes, makes her home with 
our subject and his wife. ]\Irs. Cruzan has 
a half-brother, C. W. Forbes, of Danville. 

In his social affiliations Alpheus Cruzan 
is coimectecl with the Benevolent and Pro- 
tectixe Order of Elks, with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Fyth- 
ias and the Court of Honor. In politics 
he is a Republican, but has never sought 
or desired office, serving only for one term 
as city alderman. His home is at Xo. lO" 
West North street. He has made good use 
of his opportunities, and has prospered from 
year to year, has conducted all business 
matters carefully and successfully and in 
all his acts dis])lays an aptitude for success- 
ful management. His manner is kindly and 
genial and to this perhaps, as well as to 
his business ability is due his creditable 
standing in the social and business world. 



SAMUEL WATERS ALLERTOX. 

One of the largest landowners in \'er- 
milinn countx' and f<iunder of the town liear- 
ing his name, but who makes his home in 
Chicago, is Samuel W". Allerton. who traces 



his ancestry to Isaac Allerton, who came 
over in the Mayflower in 1620. Isaac Al- 
lerton was a native of England and was 
born between the years 1583 and 1585, the 
exact tlate being unknown. He resided in 
London for some time prior to his removal 
to Holland in 1609. It is generally admitted 
that he was the wealthiest of all the Pil- 
grims and was one of the few among them 
to whose names Bradford and other con- 
temporaneous writers always gave the pre- 
fix 'Air." which in tlnise days was used as 
an index of superior family or respectabil- 
ity. He was also one of the three upon 
wlKim the pri\ilege of citizenshi]) was con- 
ferred by the city of Leyden. his associates 
in this honor lieing William Bradford, aft- 
erward go\ernor of the Plymouth colony, 
and Degory Priest, his brother-in-law. He 
was first married in the city of Leyden. Xo- 
vember 4. lOii. to Mary Xorris. of Xew- 
bury. England, and at the time of the sail- 
ing of the Mayflower he had four children. 
His wife died February 25, 162 1. In 1626 
he married Fear Brewster, daughter of El- 
der William Brewster. She was a woman 
of pleasing appearance and of pious dispo- 
sition and was the mother of Isaac Allerton, 
the secolid of that name, from whom the Al- 
lerton family is descended. She died in 
!('3.4. while his death occurred in 1659. 

Samuel W. .Mlerton is of the ninth gen- 
eration from Isaac .Mlerton, of whom men- 
tion has just been made. He was born at 
.\menia, Dutchess county, Xew ^'ork, and 
is a son of Samuel W. and Hannah ( Hurd) 
.Mlerton, the former also being a native of 
Amenia. born December 5, 1775. He was 
united in marriage to Hannah Hurd March 
26, 1808. She was born in South Dover, 
Dutchess county. X'^ew York, and was the 
eldest daughter of Fbenezer and Rebecca 
( Phillii)s) llunl, her father being an exten- 





/^^Vt-^^/ 



M^ 




^^ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1027 



sive farmer and stock-dealer in Amenia. 
By tliis union there were nine children, eight 
of whom were hving in January. 1899, at 
a combined age of over six hundred and 
thirty years. In his early life the father of 
our subject studied for the medical profes- 
sion but changing his mind he learned the 
tailor's trade and became a merchant tailor, 
while at the same time he carried on a coun- 
try store. In 1828 he was one of the pro- 
moters in building a woolen mill and estab- 
lishing a factory. In consequence of the re- 
duction of the tariff in 1833 nearly all the 
manufactories in New England were ruined, 
and j\fr. Allerton lost nearly all his fortune. 
In 1837 he went west to Iowa with the hope 
of building up his fortitne but was taken 
.sick and returned to his eastern home. In 
1842 he removed to Yates county. New 
York, where he rented a farm, and in 1848 
he bought a farm in Wayne county, in the 
same state, where he lived the remainder 
of his life. He was a man of sterling in- 
tegrity, was a IJni\'ersalist in religious be- 
lief, and lived to the ripe old age of ninety- 
nine years and eight months. 

Samuel Waters Allerton. our subject. 
was but seven years of age when his father 
failed in business, at which time he received 
an impression which has influenced his nolile 
life. While the sheriff' was selling his fa- 
ther's property, his mother shed tears when 
two horses which had been highly prized 
were sold. Putting his arms around his 
mother's neck he told her that he would be 
a man and provide for her. In after life 
he kept his promise. He was the youngest 
of the nine children and lived in Amenia un- 
til he was fourteen years of age. but com- 
menced to work for himself when he was 
twelve years old. In 1842 he went to Yates 
county with his parents and remained with 
them until thev had saved enough nionev 



to buy a farm in Wayne ciiunty. \\'ith his 
brother Henry, he then rented a farm and 
made fifteen hundred dollars, which they 
invested in a farm in Wayne count3% leav- 
ing still three thousand dollars unpaid. 

Renting another farm Mr. Allerton be- 
gan its culti\-ation and at the end of three 
years had saved thirty-two hundred dol- 
lars. He then went to Newark where he 
worked with his brothers on their farm and 
traded in a small way in livestock in Wayne 
count}-. On his return from Albany and 
New \ ork. where he had gone with some 
stock, he said to his brother Henry : "I be- 
lie\e I know as much as the dealers I met 
and as we now ha\e the farm paid for and 
three thousand dollars in money, I will set- 
tle with you, you taking the farm and I tak- 
ing the money." His brother replied: "If 
you continue as you are in a few years you 
will own the best farm in the country, but 
if you wish to try the livestock business, all 
right, we will settle on this basis. This is 
all the ad\-ice I ha\-e to give you. You will 
run across smart and tricky men. but they 
always die poor. Alake a name and char- 
acter for },-ourself and you are sure to win." 

The first hundred cattle Samuel bought 
after dissolving partnership with his broth- 
er, he sold in New York at a loss of se\-en 
hundretl dollars. I'his made him sick but 
calling on an elderly uncle who had made 
a success in life, he was told by his uncle, 
"My boy, you are pretty sick, but don't lose 
VDur courage. I ne\er found but one dead 
sure thing, and that was hoeing corn at fifty 
cents per day. If you make money you must 
sometimes lose it. Try it over." 

About this time women had burned a 
number of bridges on the Erie Railroad be- 
cause the trains would not stop for dinner. 
Going to Erie. Mr. Allerton purchased one 
hundred head of cattle which he shipped to 



I028 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Xew York over the Erie Railroad, and 
whicli on account of the l)in'ned bridges liail 
to be unloaded and dri\en to Dniikirk. where 
they were resliipped. On his arrival he 
found the market short on cattle, and his 
venture netted him three thousand dollars, 
which gave him new courage. He then 
drifted west and for one year fed and raised 
cattle in ]'"uli(in cminty, Illinois. Tlie finan- 
cial panic which swept over the country at 
that time wiped out all the capital he had. 
and becoming ill he concluded that he could 
not stand the western climate. Returning 
east, he bcmght an interest in a store with 
his brother in Newark. Xew York, and for 
a short time engaged in mercantile business. 
Selling goods, however, was not agreeable 
to him, as he desired to deal on a larger 
scale. 

While residing in Illinois he had met a 
daughter of Astor C. Thompson, of Fulton 
county, • that state. Having regained his 
health, he sold his interest in the store and, 
gathering the nionev he had left and bor- 
rowing five thousand dollars, he came west, 
the young lady in Fulton county being the 
])rincipal attraction. On his arrival there 
he traded a little, but in March, i860, he re- 
turned to Chicago, which has since contin- 
ued to he his home. On the ist of July, 
i860, he was united in marriage to Miss 
Pamilla ^\. Thompson, at Peoria, Illinois, 
and with his young bride returned to Chi- 
cago, "where the world turned around every 
twenty-four hotirs," and which was the 
proper ]3lace in which to tratle. 

On going to Chicago, Mr. Allerton com- 
menced to buy and sell livestock in a small 
wav, there being then no general market in 
the cit}- except for a short time during the 
winter. Shippers generally toeik their live- 
stock to the eastern markets. About this 
time there was a decided break in the Chi- 



cago market, and Mr. Allerton desired to 
buy. but ha\ing formed no connection with 
any bank there, the (|uestion was how to get 
money. .Among his few acquaintances in 
Chicago was a man by the name of Tobey, 
whom he asked to take him to a bank and 
identify him. Air. Tobey was willing to do 
this but he said that he could not guarantee 
anytliing. He was assured by Mr. Allerton 
that lie only -«-ishecl to be identified and that 
he w ould arrange the balance. He was taken 
to the l^ank of George Smith and. on being 
introduced, said to Mr. \\"illard. "If I pay 
for three telegrams, one to Halstead. Cham- 
berlain & Company, asking if they will pay 
my draft; one to your own correspondent, 
to ascertain if Halstead, Chamberlain & 
Com]Xiny are all right; and one to my own 
bank to assure you that I am all right, can 
I come down to-m<irrow and sell you a sight 
draft?" He replied "Yes." Mr. Allerton 
went back to the stockyards and bought all 
the hogs in the market and went down with 
a draft for eighty thousand dollars, asking 
Mr. ^^"illar^l if he had received replies to 
his telegrams. His answer was that he had 
and that the replies were favorable. Air. 
Allerton handed him the draft and was told 
that he could not discount so large a draft 
on telegrams and that he had supposed that 
he would not want more than five thousand 
ilollars. Mr. .Allerton said, "You know Air. 
Tobey and you certainly do not think that 
he would introduce a thief to you." 

Mr. W'illard. however, woukl not dis- 
count the draft ami Air. Allerton found him- 
self in a position where he must have the 
monev but what to do he did not know. 
Leaving the bank, he accidentall\' met a man 
from Svracuse. Xew York, and asked him 
if he was acquainted with any banks in Chi- 
cago, and was told that he knew Aikens & 
Xorton. He was taken to them and intro- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1029 



duced Mr. Aikens looked over the tele- 
grams and signitied his willingness to com- 
ply with Mr. Allerton's request, but that he 
would have to charge one per cait. for the 
use of the money, in this way jMr. Aller- 
ton became a customer of Aikens & Norton. 
The Civil war broke out and the nation 
needed money. Congress passed the nation- 
al bank act, issuing bonds to secure the cir- 
culation. This was regarded by Mr. Aller- 
■ ton as a step in the right direction toward 
a national currency, as the nation had never 
had anything but "red dog" and "bob- 
tailed" currency. To start a national bank 
would aid the government and give the peo- 
ple uniform currency, but for some reason 
the people seemed slow to start national 
banks. Mr. Allerton asketl Mr. Aikens why 
he did not start one and was answered, "be- 
cause he feared he could not get the stock 
taken." Mr. Allerton said that he, with five 
other men, would take ten thousand dollars 
each. In this way the First National Bank 
of Chicago, one of the strongest financial 
institutions in the country, was started. 

By his union with Pamilla Thomp- 
son two children were born. Kate Bennett, 
born June 10. 1863, married Dr. Francis 
Sydney Papin, October 14, 1885, and after 
his death married Flugo R. Johnson. Rob- 
ert Henry was born March 20, 1873. The 
mother of these children died and Mr. Al- 
lerton later married her sister, Agnes C. 
Thompson, the marriage ceremony being 
solemnized March 15, 1882. They now re- 
side in a beautiful home on Prairie avenue, 
Chicago. 

Mr. Allerton has been a very successful 
business man and is well known throughout 
the state and nation. He wrote the first let- 
ter published in the Chicago Tribune in fa- 
vor of organizing the Union Stockyards, so 
as to bring all buyers and sellers together, 



which has made it the greatest livestock 
market in the world and also made Chicago 
a money center. He always had the desire 
to own a farm when he succeeded in accum- 
ttlating enough money. His desire has cer- 
tainly l>een gratified, and he is to-day one of 
the largest farmers in the country who culti- 
vates his own land, cultivating about forty 
thousand acres in the very best manner. He 
is said to have a hobby for purchasing poor- 
ly productive lands and by cultivation 
"makes them blossom as a rose." He has 
large interests in ranches and gold mines 
and has lands in Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, 
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and 
New York, and has always been interested 
in the livestock tratle and continues to ship 
lix'estock to New York and England. 

Mr. .\llerton received his early political 
education from Henry Clay and Horace 
Greeley, and has always been a strong be- 
lie\er in a protective tariff and free schools. 
He remembers that in the campaign of 
1844, when Henry Clay was a candidate for 
the presidency, the issue was "Shall we put 
a tarift' on iron and inaugurate free schools?" 
The Democrats said that "a tariff would 
build up home monopolies and free schools 
would be a burden and a tax on the people." 
Clay replied "Give the people free schools 
so as to increase their intelligence, their en- 
ergy and industry, and home competition 
would reduce the price of iron." It was 
then one hundred dollars a ton. Remem- 
bering the words of Henry Clay and believ- 
ing the free school system has made this 
great nation, Mr. Allerton by giving the 
land, has had school houses built on each 
of his farms. Since the organization of the 
party he has been a stalwart Republican and 
has been mentioned and his election advo- 
cated bv some of the best newspapers and 
best citizens of the state for the high ofiice 



I030 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



of L'nited States senator. Tliat he would 
honor the office and peoi)le of tlie state goes 
without ([uestion. He once ran for mayor 
of Lliicago in the interests of civil service 
with no pledges to any one. His desire was 
to gi\'e the city an honest, clean adminis- 
tration. The office would have heen no 
honor t(5 him hut he would have honored 
the office. It was his intention to eni])lo\- 
the best engineers in the country to settle 
the vexed question of engineering and in 
all departments of the city government to 
put the right man in tlie right place, irre- 
spective of politics. He carried the north 
division of the city and the other intelligent 
wards init was beaten by a sharp political 
trick of his oi)[)()nent. 

Mr. Allerton belie\-es that all men should 
trv to lead a successful life: this he owes to 
himself, his friends and his people. He be- 
lieves that young men to-day ha\e Iietter 
opportunities for ad\-ancement than when 
he was a boy. and that they have better 
teachers and better schools. Labor is higher 
and the necessities of life are cheaper, and 
therefore the opportunities are much great- 
er for success. His life is certainly an ob- 
ject lesson for the young men of to-day, 
and he certainly deserves all the honor 
which he receives. 



JOHN W. CLINGAN. 

Among the best, most energetic and 
enterprising farmers and stock-raisers of 
Cjenrgetown township, is John \\'. Clingan, 
whose landed possessions also extend into 
Catlin townshi]) and his property interests 
comprise several business houses in the vil- 
lage of Georgetown. He is widely recog- 
nized as one oi the leading citizens of the 



southern [jail of the cnunty. His birth oc- 
curred in Danville township, Xoveniljer i6, 
1855. his parents being James S. and Elvira 
(Olehy) Clingan. the former a native of 
Ohio and the latter of Vermilion county, 
Illinois. William Clingan, the grandfather 
of our subject, was also born in the Buckeye 
state and in the year 1844 emigrated west- 
ward, to this ciiimty. settling in Danville 
township, where he cleared a tract of land, 
making it culti\'able. He there carried on 
the work of general farming for two years. 
when his life's labors were ended in death 
in 1S46. The father of our subject also en- 
gaged in farming in Danville township, l>e- 
ing thus interested in business affairs here 
until 186-. when he removed to Catlin 
township. There he secured a farm which 
he owned and operated for several years 
and on the expiration of that period he re- 
moved to the village of Westville, there 
li\ing retired until he too was called to his 
final home in .\ugust. 1898. His wife still 
sur\i\es him and yet resides in W'estville. 
Thev were the parents of four children, 
namely: John W. : Dennis R.. a farmer who 
resides on the old home place in Catlin 
townsliip: Mary E.. who died ;it the age 
of three years: and Luther A., wlm mar- 
ried Etta Graves and is a farmer of George- 
town township. 

At the usual age Mr. Clingan entered 
the common schools, where he gained a 
good knowledge of the branches of learning 
usuallv taught in such institutions. Subse- 
quentlv he entered a commercial school at 
Danville. Illinois, and was thus prepared 
for the duties of business life, lieing grad- 
uated in that institution with the class of 
1876. He wedded Miss Mary E. Xesl)itt. 
al.so a native of this county and a daughter 
of William R. Xcsbitt. who was an early 
settler here ami is now deceased. The home 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1031 



of Mr. and Mrs. Clingan has been blessed 
with two children : D. Albert and Edna E. 

When our subject had completed his 
education he began teaching school, being 
employed in the vicinity of Danville and of 
Westville for sixteen years. His educa- 
tional work was acceptable in the districts 
where his services were secured for he had 
marked ability in imparting to others the 
knowledge which he had acquired. He also 
maintained discipline and thus became 
widely known as a capable and successful 
teacher. When sixteen years had passed 
he settled upon his present farm which is 
known as the old Hiram Gibson place, lo- 
cated on section 24, Georgetown township. 
He likewise owns a good farm in Catlin 
township, having altogether two hundred 
and ten acres of well improved land. Here 
he carries on general farming and stock- 
raising and the fields annually return to him 
good harvests, while in his pasture or feed- 
lots are found some of the most fashionable 
P'oland China hogs. If one would examine 
into his life record to learn the secret of his 
success it wnll be found that he has prospered 
because he has worked unremittingly, pay- 
ing close attention to his farm duties and 
giving careful thought to the management 
of his fields. Thus he has prospered and 
as his financial resources have increased he 
has made judicious investments in town as 
well as farm property. He now owns three 
good business houses in Georgetown, which 
are now occupied by a grocery, a meat mar- 
ket and a drug store. Mr. Clingan has 
never been an office seeker nor has he held 
office. He has, however, always voted with 
the Democratic party. He and his wife 
and children are members of the Alethodist 
Episcopal church at Fairview and they have 
warm friends in the county. Reading, 
experience and investigation have made Mr. 



Clingan a well informed man and his men- 
tality and genuineness, combined with his 
social nature, render him a popular and 
companionable gentleman. So well has he 
prospered in his work that he expects soon 
to put aside his farming interests and live 

retired. 

♦-•-♦ 

JOSEPH SMITH. 

Joseph Smith, deceased, was numbered 
among the honored pioneers of Vermilion 
county, having located here in 1831, and for 
many years he was prominently identified 
with the business interests of Danville. His 
early home was on the other side of the 
Atlantic, for he was born in W^orcestershire. 
England, August i, 18 19, his parents being 
also natives of that country. In 1831 the 
father brought the family to the United 
States and after spending a short time in 
Elmira, New York, they came west, stop- 
ping first at what is now Chicago, but there 
was no city there at that time. Later in the 
same year he proceeded to Vermilion county 
and purchased a small farm near Potomac, * 
where he engaged in agricultural pursuits 
for a few years, and then removed to Myers- 
ville, this county, and took charge of the 
Myersville flour mill, which was an old water 
mill. After running the same for several 
years Mr. Smith became a resident of Dan- 
ville and forming a partnership with a Mr. 
Tincher they purchased a flour and hominy 
mill, which they at once commenced to oper- 
ate, but Mr. Tincher soon sold his interest to 
Mr. Smith and a Mr. Giddings and the busi- 
ness was afterward conducted under the firm 
name of Smith K' Giddings for several years 
or until the death of Mr. Smith. 

Joseph Smith was alx)ut twelve years of 
age when he accompanied his parents on 



I032 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



their eniigratiDn to America, and lie liatl 
only the achantages of a common school ed- 
ucation. He was first married in Southport. 
New York, to Miss Julia Warniley, who 
died in Myersville, Ilinois, and of the three 
children horn of that union only one is living: 
l-"rank, a prominent llorist of Danville. In 
18C2 Mr. Smith wedded Mrs. Susan J. 
(Kuykendall) Fox, a native of \'irginia, 
born February 14. 1833. Her father, Luke 
Kuykendall. removed from the Old Domin- 
ion to Illinois in 1854 and settled on a farm 
in X'ermilion county, wliere he followed 
farming throughout the remainder of his 
life. By his second marriage Mr. Smith 
had four children, as follows : Bertha J. is 
now the widow of Jesse L. Holloway of this 
county, who was a passenger conductor on 
the Missouri Pacific Railroad and later on 
the Monon route, running between Lafay- 
ette. Iiuliaua. and Chicago, and he was 
found dead beside the track August 21. 1901. 
j)robably the result of an accident. Mrs. 
Holloway is now li\ing with her mother in 
Danville. Katharine engaged in teaching in 
the public schools of Dan\ille for several 
years and is now the wife of C. L. Thomp- 
son of Lamar, Colorado. Clinton is a trav- 
eling salesman for the Rumford Baking 
Powder Company. Willie died at the age 
of thirteen years. 

Like his father Mr. Smith of this review 
learned the milling business in his vouth. and 
after coming to Danville he purchased a flour 
mill which he continued to operate through- 
out the remainder of his life. He also dealt 
Some in real estate and at the time of his 
death owned considerable property in Dan- 
ville, but his widow has lately disposed of 
the last of the estate with the exception of 
the beautiful home at No. 4:2 West North 
street, where she and her daughter now re- 
side. At one time Mr. Smith owned the 



l)roperty which has since l^een converted into 
the Danville Public Library. During his 
active business career he attended strictly to 
his own affairs and became a very success- 
ful man. After a useful and well spent life 
he passed away on the 8th of March, 1894, 
honored and respected by all who knew him. 
Politically he was a pronounced Republican, 
but was never an office seeker though he took 
a commendable interest in the success of his 
l)arty. He faithfully performed his duties 
of citizenship and his interest in the welfare 
and progress of the community ne\er abated. 
Becoming widely and favorably known, he 
made many friends and his death was a loss 
to the entire communitv. 



FRED L. DAVIS. 



The agricultural interests of \^ermilion 
couiUv are well represented by I'red L. Dav- 
is, a prominent young farmer of Vance 
township. He is a son of Henry Davis, 
whose name appear? elsewhere in this vol- 
ume. He was born May 24, 1876. in \'ance 
township, and from childhood Ijecame fami- 
liar with the work of the farm. He attend- 
ed the district schools of the township and 
later in Fairmount, Illinois. After putting- 
aside his text-books he assisted his father on 
the home farm where he has since remained. 
He is now the owner of one hundred and 
twenty acres of land on sections 7 and 18, 
which is all well improved and valuable land. 
He has a good, comfortable home, and all 
the con\eniences of a model farm are his. 
On the 13th of February, 1899, in Fair- 
mount. Illinois, Mr. Davis was united in 
marriage to Miss Essie Carrington. who was 
born near Jamaica. Illinois. September 6, 
1879. She is a daughter of William and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1033 



Mary L. (Busby) Carrington, the latter a 
daughter of I. N. Bitsby, who is now Hving 
in Faimiount. Wilham Carrington was a 
native of Indiana and was married in A'er- 
milion county, IlHnois. After his marriage 
lie located in Indianola, now Jamaica, town- 
ship. Here he purchased land and remained 
until 1890, when he retired from active life 
and removed to Fairmount, Illinois. In that 
town he purchased city property. During 
the summer of 1902, he visited in Colorado. 
He is a wealthy man having extensive landed 
interests. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, and in his political views 
is a Republican, but has never sought or de- 
sired office. Mrs. Davis is one of a family 
of three children. Edward is engaged in 
the furniture business in Fairmount, Illi- 
nois. He married Stella Davis. Harvey is 
married and resides on a farm in \'ance 
township. He has one child, Grace. Essie 
is the wife of the subject of this review. 

Mr. Davis is one of the energetic and am- 
bitious agriculturists of Vance township. 
He gives careful attention to the manage- 
ment of his farm and his well tilled fields are 
the result of his labor. He is public spirited 
and interested in the welfare of his communi- 
ty. He and his wife are members of the 
Court of Honor and they attend the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church. In politics he sup- 
ports the Democratic party and he is well 
and favorablv known in Vermilion countv. 



R. A. SHORT. 

R. A. Short is engaged in the real-estate 
and loan business controlling' extensive oper- 
ations in this line. He was born in \'er- 
milion county, September 14, 1836, but dur- 
ing much of his life has made his home in 



the city of Danville. He is a son of Thomas 
and Nancy Ann (Lanham) Short, both of 
whom were natives of \'irginia. The father 
was born in Loudoun county and in 1830 
came to Illinois settling in \'ermilion county. 
His wife came about the same time, travel- 
ing with a colony that established homes in 
the west. ^Ir. Short was a well educated 
man and engaged in teaching school near 
]Maneeleys Mill, and in public office he ren- 
dered to his fellow citizens efficient and 
valued service. In his political affiliations 
he was first a Whig and after the dissolu- 
tion of that party he joined the new Repub- 
lican party, on which ticket he was elected 
the second county clerk of \'ermiIion county. 
For twelve years he continued to fill that 
position in a most creditable and acceptable 
manner and then turned his attention to 
farming which he followed for a few years, 
when he was struck by lightning and thus 
disabled for further business cares he retired 
to private life, spending his last days in 
Fairmount, where he died about 1877. The 
mother of our subject had passed away in 
1849 and Mr. Short had married Virginia 
Lanham. who though of the same name was' 
not a relative of his first wife. She died in 
1870. With the ^Methodist Episcopal church 
Mr. Short held membership and was actively 
identified with the organization. The sub- 
ject of this review was one of a family of six 
sons and three daughters. James, one of 
the sons, was killed at the battle of Kene- 
saw IMountain while serving with the One 
Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, 
and the other brother who has passed away 
was Colmore, who was killed by the same 
lightning bolt that injured the father. The 
surviving members of the family are John C, 
who resides in New York ; R. A. : Alex- 
ander C, who makes his home in Los Gatos, 
California; Thomas, of Danville; and Clara, 



1034 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



the wife of Elias Holiday, a resident of Los 
Gatos, California, at the present time al- 
though their marriage was celehrateil in 
Fairmount. Illinois. 

In the public schools of Vermilion county 
R. A. Short began his education which was 
completed by his graduation in the Damille 
Seminary with the class of 1858. From that 
tiine forward he has been a factor in business 
life in this city. He first engaged in the 
drug business with which he was connected 
for twelve years and then entered the dry- 
goods trade as the seinor member of the firm 
of R. A. Short & Company, their store be- 
ing conducted with profit until 1893. when 
Mr. Short retired. Indolence and idleness, 
however, are utterly foreign to his nature 
and he could not long content himself with- 
out business cares, so that he soon began op- 
erating in real estate and has since carried 
on business as a real-estate, insurance, invest- 
ment and loan agent. During this period 
he has controlled many important negotia- 
tions along thiise lines and has bought and 
sold much valual)le property — in fact his 
Inisiness is to-day very extensive and, being 
capably controlled, brings to him a very 
gratifying income. 

On the 30th of September, 1850, in this 
city. Mr. Short was married to Emily \V. 
Murdock, \\h(ise birth occurred near Lafa- 
yette, Indiana. January 25, 1838. her parents 
being John and Jane (Sterling) Murdock, 
l>oth of whom were natives of Pennsylvania 
and were there reared and married. The 
father, a farmer by occupation, took up hi^ 
abode in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, upon 
his remo\al to the west and there remained 
until his death. He voted with the Democ- 
racy and was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. Airs. Short was one of 
a family of two sons and eight daughters, 
but of this number only five are now living: 



Mary, the widow of Asa Partlow and a resi- 
dent of Dan\ille; Ann, who is the widow of 
Henry Olds and makes her home in Detroit, 
Michigan: Mrs. Lizzie Scott, who is also a 
widow and resides in Oxford, Indiana; Mrs. 
Short : and Ellen, the wife of Charles R. 
\'ance, of Los Angeles, California. The 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Short has been blessed 
with six children, four of whom survive: 
Lewis, who married Laura Grant, of Dan- 
ville, and is now a professor in the Illinois 
L^niversity at Champaign; Lillian, wdio is a 
teacher in the schools of Rogers Park, a sub- 
urb of Chicago; William M., a lawyer of 
Fort Worth. Texas ; and Walter, who is 
teller in the Citizens National Bank, at 
Evanstnn. Illinois. 

Studv and investigation concerning the 
issues and questions of the day have led Mr. 
Short to give his approval and support to the 
measures of the Republican party, but he has 
never been an office seeker. Holding mem- 
bership in the First Methodist Episcopal 
church he served for many years as one of its 
trustees and has always been deeply inter- 
ested in whatever has tended to l)enefit his 
community, co-operating in a large measure 
in movements for general good and for 
progression. 



B. F. McELHANEY, 



B. F. McElhaney, who is engaged in 
blacksmithing and in dealing in fine horses, 
is a well known resilient of Iloopeston, but 
he has a wide acquaintance especially among 
he owners of fine trotting and pacing stock 
throughout Vermilion county. He w-as born 
in this county on the 2d of December, 1861, 
at his father's home in Ross township, his 
parents being Elijah and Matilda (Smith) 
McElhancv. Ivith of whom were natives of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1035 



Kentucky and were of Scotch-Irish descent. 
The father died in 1896 and the mother is 
still living, her home being now in Jordan 
township, Warren county, Indiana, where 
she has lived since 1874. In the family 
were three sons and three daughters, namely : 
B. F., Charles L., Elizabeth, Joseph, ]\Irs. 
Nancy Harris and Mrs. Mary Cole. 

Mr. McElhaney obtained his education 
in the old fashioned country schools and was 
reared upon his father's farm in Ross town- 
ship, Vermilion county, until the removal of 
the family to Indiana, He herded cattle 
upon the prairies here when there were but 
few settlements, and can remember when tiie 
old city of Stateline was a better town than 
Danville is to-day. With the exception of 
about ten years he has resided continuously 
in Vermilion county. In 1879, and for one 
year, he engaged in farming, after which he 
entered a blacksmith shop in Stateline, there 
learning his trade. After four years spent 
at that place he removed to Marshfield, In- 
diana, where he remained for seven years and 
in 1888 took up his abode in Potomac, Illi- 
nois. In 1892 he located in Ambia, Indiana, 
and the following year he came to Hoopes- 
ton. The first year he worked in the ma- 
chine shop of Thomas Woolverton. In 
Marshfield, Indiana, he owned and conduct- 
ed a shop and in 1S94 he built his present 
shop in Hoopeston where he has since been 
doing a general blacksmithing business, mak- 
ing a specialty of fancy horseshoeing. He 
does all the track shoeing for this part of the 
county and during the season of 1902 he 
shod about thirty track horses. He has an 
excellent reputation as a practical horse- 
shoer and he employs from one to three men 
in his shop. He oversees all of the work 
done therein and to some extent performs 
part of the labor. He has raised and bred 
fine horses for speed and is now preparing 

42 



for the track a grandson of Axtel, four years 
old. He also has three other speed horses 
and after training, them for a time he sells 
them to well known buyers. He always 
does his own training and has been a hard 
working business man who well merits the 
success which has come to him. 

On the loth of February, 1880, in Jord^ 
an township, Warren county, Indiana, Mr. 
]\[cElhaney was married to Ella Evans. Hef 
parents were natives of Virginia and became 
early settlers of Warren county, her father, 
David Evans, taking up his abode on the 
wild prairie, where he owned about seven 
hnudred acres of land at the time of his 
death, which occurred in 1882. In 1886 Mr. 
McElhaney was called upon to mourn the 
loss of his wife who died in June of that 
year in Marshfield, Indiana. They were the 
parents of three children, but two died in 
infancy. Arnott Owen died August 16, 
1898, at the age of fifteen years. Mr. Mc- 
Elhaney was again married on the i6th of 
December, 1888, in Potomac, Illinois, liis 
second union being with Mrs. Dora Pretti- 
man, who was born in Middlefork township, 
Vermilion county, in 1861, and was the 
widow of Neil Prettiman. In his political 
views Mr. McElhaney is a stalwart Repub- 
lican, but has had neither time nor inclina- 
tion to seek public office, his attention being 
devoted untiringly to his business affairs, in 
which he is meeting with creditable and 
signal success. 



JOHN H. JOHNSON. 

Farming and real estate interests claim 
the time and attention of John H. Johnson, 
who resides in Rankin and who owns and 
operates one hundred and sixty-eight acres 
of well improved land adjoining the town. 



1036 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



He is a native of Denmark, born on the 8th 
of September, 1844. anil when a young man 
of eigliteen years he came to the new world 
to seek in its broader opportunities the ad- 
vancement which he tlesired to gain in busi- 
ness life. He had attended school in his 
native country, but here he found himself a 
stranger in a strange land unfamiliar with 
the language and customs of the people. 
He possessed, however, strong determina- 
tion and upon this quality he has builded his 
prosperity. It was in the year 1862 that he 
sailed for New York but he did not tarry 
long in the eastern metropolis, making his 
way at once to Wisconsin. There he worked 
on a farm for about two years, after which 
he went to Z^Iichigan and was employed in 
the pineries of the latter state. After three 
or four years spent in Michigan he came to 
Illinois in 1868, locating in Vermilion coun- 
ty, but soon afterward he began work on a 
farm in Champaign county. His father and 
brother-in-law also became residents of Illi- 
nois in the same year, purchasing land and 
locating near Rankin in Butler township. 

In 1870 John H. Johnson began to fann 
his father's property, which he continued to 
cultivate for a number of years, caring for 
his ])arents through their declining days. 
Both his father and mother died in Chicago; 
the former while visiting a daughter in that 
city in 1887, at the age of eighty years. His 
wife sur\ived him and di& in Chicago in 
.1895, at the age of eighty-two years. When 
they had passed away the estate was equally 
divided among the heirs. After the death 
of his parents John H. Johnson purchased a 
tract of land of eighty acres upon which he 
continues farming. Sul)sequently he txiught 
other land and he now has five hundred and 
thirty-five acres, divided into three farms. 
Subsequently he became the owner of one 
hundred and sixty-eight acres, where he now 



resides, adjoining the town of Rankin. For 
the past twelve or fourteen years he has 
rented most of his land, giving his attention 
to the home place and to the real estate busi- 
ness. For about eight years he has operated 
in land and is a well known real estate dealer 
of this section of the county, having negoti- 
ated some very important property transfers. 

In 1879 in this countv Mr. Johnson was 
united in marriage to Miss Mary Anderson, 
a native of Denmark, who was reared and 
educated there and when a young lady came 
to America. Their union has been blessed 
with four children: Charles \\'., Peter 
Elmer. Martin H. and Emma Linda. 

Politically. Mr. Johnson is a stanch Re- 
publican, who believes in expansion, in 
sound money and the protection of Ameri- 
can industries. Xo native son of this land 
is more loyal to its interests and welfare than 
is this adopted citizen of the new world. He 
cast his first presidential vote for James A. 
Garfield and has since supported each can- 
didate of the party for the presidency. He 
has never desired nor would he hold oflice. 
He is deeply interested, however, in every- 
thing pretaining to the general good and 
co-operates in many measures for the benefit 
of the community. He was one of the pro- 
moters of the \ ermilion countv hospital, 
making a lilieral subscription to the institu- 
tion of which he is now serving as a director. 
He has e\erv reason to be proud of his con- 
nection with the work for the hospital is a 
most commendable enterprise of the county 
and one which reflects credit upon the hu- 
mane spirit of \'ermilion's citizens. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were reared in the 
Lutheran faith. They have worked together 
as the years have passed and their united 
efforts have resulted in bringing to them 
splendid and creditable success. Although 
he came to .\merica a poor young man with 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1037 



no means Mr. Johnson is now the owner of 
two large and vahiable farms, aggregating 
six hundred and ninety-five acres and this is 
due to his marked industry and the assistance 
of his estimable wife. They have a large 
circle of friends in this locality and their 
pleasant home is noted for its hospitality. 



AUGUSTUS S. ZERSE. 

Augustus S. Zerse was well known to the 
citizens of Danville and to the county offi- 
cials, for, for seven years, he was a clerk of 
the courthouse. A man of genuine worth 
and of many qualities which endeared him 
to his friends, his death was deeply mourned 
and his memory is yet cherished by those 
with whom he came in contact. A native of 
Germany, he was born on the ist of August, 
1841, his parents being Dr. William F. and 
Catherine Zerse, both of whom were natives 
of Germany. The father was a graduate 
of a medical college, completing his course 
in Heidelburg University and after coming 
to America he practiced in New York city 
for fourteen years with good success. He 
then went to Michigan, locating in Jackson, 
where he remained in practice for a short 
time and then removed to Lafayette, Indiana, 
where he also prosecuted his profession. 
Later he took up his abode in Centralia, Illi- 
nois, where he practiced with success and 
rdso engaged in farming at Johansburg, near 
Centralia. He practiced in the two towns 
and carried on his agricultural pursuits until 
his death. His widow now resides in Nash- 
A'ille, Illinois. 

Augustus S. Zerse was the only member 
of the family that came toA^ermilion county. 
In early life he was brought by his parents 
to America and was educated in the German 
and grammar' schools of New ' York citv. 



He also attended school in Jackson, Michi- 
gan, and thus acquired a good education. 
Later he went to Attica, Indiana, where he 
was employed as a salesman in a dry-goods 
store for se\eral years. While he was there 
located the war broke out and he offered his 
services to the go\'ernment, enlisting as a 
member of Company H, Seventy-second In- 
diana Infantry, under the command of Cap- 
tain Hanna and Colonel Miller. This com- 
pany participated in a number of important 
engagements, but Mr. Zerse was never in- 
jured during the war. However, he was 
taken ill and was in the hospital at Gallatin, 
Tennessee, for some time. He was made a 
steward of the hospital there and acting in 
that capacity until his discharge he rendered 
faithful duty to his country in that manner 
as well as upon the field of battle. His 
widow now owns a Bible which was pre- 
sented to her husband tor good work while 
in the hospital and it is a cherished memento 
of his army experience. 

After his discharge Mr. Zerse settled in 
Lafayette, Indiana, where he engaged in the 
jewelry and notion business for a short time, 
when his store was destroyed b}' fire on the 
22d of February, 1864. He then went to 
Urbana, Illinois, where he entered into part- 
nership with his brother and again began 
dealing in jewelry and notions, conducting 
the business with success for several years. 
During that time he also owned a store in 
Champaign, Illinois. 

While in the latter city, in 1865, Mr. 
Zerse was united in marriage to Miss Ella 
M. Wilson, a native of Warrenville. Illinois, 
born in 1846, and a daughter of James M. 
and Anna M. ( Lindsey) Wilson, the former 
a native of Kentucky and the latter of New 
Jersev. During the greater part of their - 
lives, however, they were residents of Illi- 
nois. In earlv life Mr. Wilson was a farm-- 



I038 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



er, but later was an inventor and manufac- 
turer. He built a large shop at Urbana Illi- 
nois and carried on business under the tirni 
name of Wilson & Parks, manufacturers of 
all kinds of farm implements. He was also 
engaged in that line nf business at Wauke- 
gan, Illinois. Both he and his wife, how- 
ever, are now deceased. Unto ]\Ir. and Mrs. 
Zerse were torn eight children : Xorman, 
who married Georgia Shefflebotham. is now 
a bookkeeper in Elkhart. Indiana. Clarence 
A. is a physician and druggist carrying on 
business in Danville. Illinois. Mabel is at 
home and is the money order clerk at the 
postofifice. Maude is a teacher in the puljlic 
schools of this city. Pearl is occup_\ing the 
position of registry clerk in the postoffice of 
Danville. Dorothy is the wife of F. F. 
Moresby, a receiving clerk for Armour & 
Company, at Kansas City. Missouri. Fred- 
erick M. is foreman in the employ of the 
Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Com- 
pany at St. Elmo, Illinois. Florence Ger- 
trude is still with her mother. 

After his marriage Mr. Zerse removed 
from Champaign. Illinois, to Red Bud. this 
state, where for five years he occu])ied the 
position of agent for the Cairo & .St Louis 
■ — the Narrow Gauge — Railroad Company. 
On the expiration of that period he went to 
Attica, Indiana, where he was employed as 
a clerk for a time and then removed to Hed- 
rick, Indiana, where he was engaged in gene- 
ral merchandising. He also botight and 
shipped grain at that place for several years. 
Subsequently he came to Danville and was 
almost continuously from that time forward 
connected with official service here. Im- 
mediately after his arrival he was made tax 
clerk at the courthouse, for a few years serv- 
ing in that capacity, during which time he 
purchased a grocery store on North Vermil- 
ion street, in Dan\-ille, hiring some one to 



take charge of it. For three years he held 
the position of truant officer, serving in that 
capacity at the time i>f his death. He was 
a ])rominent and successful business man of 
this city and a most loyal and capable olficial, 
so that over the record of his public life and 
his private career there falls no shadow of 
wrong or suspicion of evil. In his political 
affiliations he was a stalwart Republican and 
ever kept well informed on tlie (|uestions and 
issues of the day. He belonged to Kenesaw 
Post, G. A. R., of Danville and to the Ma- 
sonic Lodge. He held meml>ership in the 
Baptist church and in that faith died on the 
I 5th of April, 1891, leaving to his familv an 
untarnishd name. His life had been one of 
activity, characterized by a genial manner, a 
kindly disposition and earnest purpose. He 
was highly esteemed for his rectitude of char- 
acter, and his prol)ity was above cjuestion. 
There were in his life many characteristics 
worthy of emulation and he fully merited the 
confidence which was so uniformly given 
him 1)}' his fellow townsmen. Mrs. Zerse 
and her children are devoted members of the 
Baptist church, and with her two daughters 
she resides at her beautiful lK)me at No. 408 
Oak street. 



W. VINTON LANE. 

It is the purpose and has been of this 
\\ork to record the history of the men who 
lia\e been prominent in the development and 
progress of Vermilion county along lines of 
material, intellectual and moral ui)building. 
\\'. \'inton Lane is a citizen whose influence 
has ever been for good along all of these 
lines. He is now living a retired life upoi! 
a farm of forty acres on section 29, Blount 
township, and well does he merit this rest 
for his has been an acti\e and noble career 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1039 



and he has borne no unimportant part in the 
work of impro\'ement and advancement. 

He was born in Athens county, Ohio, 
November 12, 1829, and is a son of Lemuel 
and Orpha (Gibbs) Lane, the former a na- 
tive of Pennsyivania and the latter of Ver- 
mont. The father died in Ohio, while the 
mother spent her last day in Kansas. In the 
family were seventeen children, thirteen of 
whom reached years of maturit}-, the sub- 
ject of this review being the twelfth in order 
of birth. He acquired his education partly 
in a subscription school held in a log build- 
ing which was seated with slab benches and 
heated by an immense fireplace, the scholars 
furnishing the wood used for fuel. One of 
the logs from the side of the building had 
been torn out and the aperture covered with 
greased paper, through which the light was 
admitted into the room. 

Mr. Lane of this review was reared upon 
the home farm and lived in Ohio until eigh- 
teen years of age, when he came to Vermil- 
ion county, Illinois, and Ijegan work by the 
month for ten dollars per month. The fare 
in the pioneer home was largely corn bread 
and mush for breakfast and dinner, with 
plenty of milk. He worked in this way for 
about eight months and afterward was em- 
ployed by John Goodwin at eleven dollars 
per month. He then made a trip to Ohio, 
where he secured work for ten dollars per 
month. He made the journey on foot, tak- 
ing with him a drove of cattle, and in his 
native state he was in his father's employ for 
about a year. He then returned to this coun- 
ty. His first trip to the west had l^een made 
on horseback, riding his brother's horse. 
After his return he worked for James Good- 
win, of Warren county, Indiana, for thir- 
teen dollars per month, continuing in his 
employ for two years, after which he spent 
some time in a sawmill. On leaving that 



place he removed to Knox county. Illinois, 
remaining with his brother for a year and 
then returnetl. It was about this time that 
Mr. Lane was united in marriage to Sarah 
Jane Crawford, who was born in Athens 
county, Ohio, August 11, 1833, a daughter 
of Josiah and Hannah (Walters) Crawford, 
who were pioneer settlers of this county, com- 
ing here when Mrs. Lane was but five years 
of age. 

Our subject and his wife began their 
domestic life with one hundred and ninety 
acres of prairie and timber land. He con- 
tinued to engage in farming and with char- 
acteristic energy carried on the work of de- 
veloping and improving his property. His 
first home was a little house fourteen by six- 
teen feet, and was located a cjuarter of a mile 
north of his present home. The first land 
which he purchased comprised one hundred 
and sixty acres, which he acquired by having 
bought an old land warrant. He afterward 
sold eighty acres of that and later he bought 
a tract of ninety acres and another of forty 
acres, some of which was fenced. For his 
first land he paid about one dollar per acre 
and for the remainder about six dollars per 
acre. Danville, which was then his trad- 
ing point, was a mere village. He contin- 
ued his farming and stock-raising in the 
early pioneer times, experiencing all the ditii- 
culties incident to the establishment of a 
home on the frontier. Nearly all of the cloth- 
ing used in his father's family was home 
made, the cloth being spun from flax in the 
summer and wo\'en in the winter. The 
shoes, too, were home made. Fire was start- 
ed with flint and tow, or else a member of the 
family would go to a neighbor's home in 
order to get a little fire with which to light 
one in the family fireplace. The houses and 
churches were lighted by candles and Mrs. 
Lane was among the girls who, on attending 



1040 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



meeting would carry their shoes upon their 
arms, putting them on just before service 
and removing them after cliurch was over, 
going liome barefooted. Mr. Lane well re- 
members the first buggy that was introduced 
into the neighborhood, and the first cook- 
stove which he ever saw. His farm imple- 
ments were crude compared with the highly 
improved ones of the present day. He used 
a single sho\-el plow, cut his grain with a 
sickel and afterward with a cradle. 

The home of Air. and Mrs. Lane was 
blessed with six children : Lemuel married 
a Miss Wilson and after her death wedded 
Anna Goodwin, by whom he has two chil- 
dren. Josiah is the second in order of birth. 
A. \\'. wedded Mary Lewis and has six chil- 
dren. Benjamin, of California, married 
Catherine Young and has five children. 
Cooper married Ida Radebaugh and has one 
child. One member of the familv died in 
infancy. 

Mr. Lane served as road commissioner 
fi>r two terms and as school director for 
many years. \Mien fifty-two years of age he 
joined the Free Methodist church, with 
which he has since been closely identified, tak- 
ing an active and helpful part in its work as 
classleader. He has served as trustee of the 
church located in Blount township and is 
filling that office at the present time. His 
wife is serving as steward and is greatlv in- 
terested in Sunday-school work, and a life 
of industry and enterprise has brought to 
our subject success in his business affairs. 
He added to his possessions as the years 
passed until he became the owner of eight 
hundred acres, which he has since divided 
among his children retaining only one hun- 
dred and fifty acres. This is all pasture 
land with the exception of twenty acres. He 
has visited Danville when there was but one 
or two stores in the village and he has seen 



all of the hardships of pioneer life. Mrs. 
Lane was one of a family of ten children, 
four of whom are yet living, of whom she 
is the eldest, while our subject and his broth- 
er R. H. Lane are now the onh- survivors of 
the large pioneer family of seventeen chil- 
dren. This worthy couple have long 
resided in \'ermilion county, witnessing 
its development from ])ioneer times when 
the jirairic was covered with wild grasses, 
arid when there were also many prairie 
wolves, while the less harmful prairie 
chickens, cranes, turkeys, ducks and geese 
were to be had in abundance. It was neces- 
sary at night. ho\ve\er, to fasten all of their 
stock up for protection, and the young corn 
had to be guarded from the crows. There 
were many difficulties and hardships to be 
borne, yet there were many pleasures to be 
enjoyed and from pioneer time down to the 
present both Mr. and Mrs. Lane ha\e lieen 
numbered among the valued citizens of this 
community. In politics he is a Prohibition- 
ist, believing firmly in the cause of temper- 
ance and in every measure calculated tn up- 
lift humanity aiifl advance morality among 
his fellow men. 

R. H. Lane, the surviving brother of our 
subject, was born in X'inlDU county, Ohio, 
March 19, 1832, and in the year 1865 he 
came to this county in company with his 
wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary 
Bruner. Her parents were John and Xancy 
Bruner, natives of Ohio, and Mrs. Lane was 
born July 9, 1832. She was to her husband 
for many \ears a faithful companion and 
helpmate (m life's journey, but she died May 
12. 1894. In the family were four children. 

Before lea\ing Ohio R. H. Lane joined 
the L'nion soldiers that started out to check 
the advance of Morgan into Ohio. For al- 
most forty years, however, he has been iden- 
ified with \'ermilion countv and has de- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1 04 1 



veloped a fine farm. He first lived in a log 
house, but as time has passed he has erected 
a substantial residence and many good build- 
ings upon his farm and to-day he is the 
owner of eighty acres of valuable land across 
which there are fine driveways and all mod- 
ern equipments. The place is nicely located 
and everything is neat and attractive in ap- 
pearance. In politics R. H. Lane is a Dem- 
ocrat and is regarded as a substantial and 
representative pioneer citizen of Vermilion 
county. 



B. S. RICE. 



Sound judgment combined with fine 
ability in mechanical lines has enabled the 
subject of this biography, a well known re- 
sident of Hoopeston, Illinois, to obtain a 
substantial success in life. He is a native of 
Indiana, his birth having occurred near De- 
catur, that state. September 16, 1862, and he 
is a son of William and Melissa (Kennedy) 
Rice. His father was bom in Indiana and 
is descended from an old Pennsylvania Ger- 
man family, but the mother was bOrn in 
Ohio and on the maternal side is of Irish 
lineage. Since 1872 they have made their 
home in Goodland, Indiana, and are num- 
bered among the highly respected citizens of 
that place. After following the wagon- 
maker's trade for a third of a century the 
father is now living a retired life, enjoying 
a well earned rest. In his family are seven 
children : S. T., a resident of Pittsburg, 
Kansas: B. S. : David, of Golden, Colorado: 
James W., of Hoopeston. Illinois; W. A., of 
Goodland, Indiana : Lulu, wife of Ira Pink- 
er, principal of the schools of Paragon, In- 
diana : Alyrtle. wife of Walter Peckham ; 
and Ethel, wife of Leonard Tullis, of Ren- 
sslear, Indiana. 



During his boyhood B. S. Rice accom- 
panied his parents on their removal to Good- 
land. Indiana, and after completing his ed- 
ucation in the schools of that place he learned 
the blacksmith's tratle, serving a four years' 
apprenticeship. He continued to work at 
his trade in Goodland for eighteen months 
thereafter, or until 1890, when he went to 
Chicago and spent three years in that city at 
the same occupation. At the end of that 
period he removed to Danville, Illinois, 
where he was in the employ of William 
Ryan four years, and then came to Hoopes- 
ton, where he worked for Mr. McElhaney 
one year. In February, 1898, he purchased 
his present shop and has since engaged in 
business on his own account with marked 
success. He is an expert horse-shoer and 
up to the present year, 1903, he has always 
made a specialty of scientific horse-shoeing, 
having shod many fine race horses. He 
does much expert hand work in his line and 
has built up an excellent trade since becom- 
ing a factor in business circles of Hoopeston. 

At Kentland. Indiana, January 7, 1886, 
was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Rice and 
Miss Josephine Ginan, who was born near 
Lockport, Illinois, in 1864. Her parents, 
James and Mary Ginan, were both natives 
of Ireland, but were married in Lockport, 
Illinois, having come to America when 
voung. The father died in the fall of 1900, 
but the mother is still living and now makes 
her home in Brook, Indiana. Their chil- 
dren were Maggie, Nellie, Josephine, Kate, 
Delia. Elizabeth, Florence, John and David, 
all of whom are still living. There was 
never a death in the family until the father 
passed away. Mr. and ]\Irs. Rice have three 
children, namely : Clarence, born in June, 
1885: Esther, born March 21 1901 : and 
Harr\% born in Deceml>er, 1902. The fami- 
ly have a pleasant home on Washington 



I042 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



avenue, where ^Ir. Rice erected a nice eight- 
room house with l)asement. in 1901. at a 
cost of two thousand dollars, and also built 
a barn. His political support is given the 
Republican party, and in religious faith he is 
a Catholic. He is the present venerable con- 
sul of Hoopeston Camp. Xo. 257. M. \\ . A., 
and he is also an honored member of the 
Home Circle. 



WILLIAM J. CALHOUX. 

William J. Calhoun was born October 5, 
1848, at Pittsburg. Pennsylvania. He 
spent the early years of his life in what is 
known as the Mahoning valley on the border 
line of Pennsyh.'uiia and Ohio. His father 
was Robert Calhoun, who was of Scotch- 
Irish descent. He belonged by descent to 
the Scotch clan of Colquhon, one branch of 
which emigrated t(_) Ireland, from which the 
Calhouns of America descended. Robert 
Calhoun married Sarah Knox, who was 
also of the same racial descent. Her father 
was James Knox. who. for many years, was 
an officer in the English army, but emigrated 
to the United States and located at Pitts- 
burg. His father, the great-grandfather of 
the subject of this sketch, was Captain John 
Knox, an officer in the English army, who 
participated in the I'rench and English wars, 
and was the author of what is known as 
"Knox's Diary." which is a history of 
and narration of the author's exi)erience in 
these wars, and is referretl to fre(|uently by 
Parkman and other students and writers 
upon that period. 

Robert Calhoun was a merchant in his 
early life, but breaking down in health re- 
tired to a farm, near Voungstown, Ohio, 
where he died in March. 1S06. His wife 



previously died in 1S58 at Mt. Jackson, 
Pennsylvania. 

\\ . J. Callmun in 1864. while the civil 
war was in prt)gress, ran away from home, 
and after two rejections on account of his 
youth, finally succeeded in enlisting in the 
army and became a member of the Xine- 
teenth Ohio ^'olunteer Infantry, commanded 
by Colonel Manderson, lately United States 
senator from Xebraska. 

On returning home after his discharge by 
reason of the termination of the war he en- 
teretl the Union Seminary, at Poland, 
Mahoning county, Ohio, where he was a 
student for three years. This was the same 
institution at which President IMcKinley re- 
ceived most, if not all. of his education. It 
was there Mr. Calhoun liecame acquainted 
with the late prcsiilent and the members of 
his family. 

Mr. Calhoun came to Illinois in the 
spring of 1869. He first located in Areola, 
Douglas county, wh.ere resided his mother's 
sister, the wife of Dr. E. B. Henry. He 
taught schiMjl. worked on the farm, and 
finally eiuered ujjou the study oi law. He 
removed to Danville in ?^Iarch, 1874, and 
completed his studies under the tuition and 
direction of Hon. J. B. Mann. He was ad- 
mitted to the bar in January, i'875, and im- 
mediately entered into partnership with Mr. 
Mann, forming the firm of Mann & Calhoun, 
which firm afterwards became Mann. Cal- 
houn &■ Frazier. and, in its time was one 
of the l.)est known Law firms in Eastern Illi- 
nois. 

Mr. Calhoun married Alice D. Harmon 
December 28. 1875. To them two children 
were born. Marian Calhoun and Corrinne 
Calhoun. The latter was married, October 
7, 1902, to W. H. Gray. Jr.. of Boston, and 
now resides in that citv. 




ca^.Qouu. 



tn^<« 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1045 



Mr. Calhoun was elected in the fall of 
1882 to the general assembly of Illinois, and 
in the autumn of 1884 he was elected 
state's attorney of Vermilion county. In 
the fall of 1889 he entered into partnership 
with Judge M. W. lliompsoon, now circuit 
judge of Vermilion county, under the firm 
name of Calhoun & Thompson. 

In 1892 he was appointed general attor- 
ney for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Rail- 
roal Company, and had charge of that com- 
pany's litigation along its entire line of road. 
His local oifice in Danville was maintained 
inconjunction with H. M. Steely, under the 
firm name of Calhoun & Steely. 

For over eight years he took no part in 
politics, rarel}' attended a primary or con- 
vention, made no speeches, but gave up his 
whole time to the practice of his profession. 
In 1896 came on the campaign for the nom- 
ination of a candidate for president as the 
nominee of the Republican party. William 
McKinley was one of the leading candi- 
dates. He was a favorite with the great 
mass of the people, but the politicians for 
the most part were against him. 

Mr. Calhoun's early acquaintance with 
Mr. McKinley aroused his interest in his be- 
half. With all his heart and soul he threw 
himself into that campaign. It was a ter- 
rific battle in Illinois, and the state conven- 
tion of 1896 was one of the memorable con- 
ventions in the history of the state. It ex- 
cited interest throughout the nation, for it 
was generally conceded that if Illinois went 
for iMcKinley, the latter's fight was won. 
Mr. Calhoun headed his delegation from 
Vermilion county, and was selected as the 
manager or leader of the McKinley forces 
on the floor of the convention. For three 
days the convention was in session, and re- 
sulted in a triumph for the McKinley forces. 



Soon after the inauguration of President 
McKinley, the aggravated condition in Cuba 
threatened the relations between the United 
States and Spain. Among other incidents 
of that troublesome period was the arrest 
and imprisonmen.t by the Spanish authorities 
of one Dr. Ruiz as an alleged revolutionist. 
He was imprisoned in one of the Guanabacoa 
near Havana. He was found one morning 
in a dyiiig condition, with his head badly 
bruised. General Fitzhugh Lee was consul 
general at Havana. He complained to the 
government of the United States that Dr. 
Ruiz was a naturalized American citizen, 
and that he had been foully dealt with. Com- 
munications concerning the circumstances 
attendingthe death of Ruiz were had between 
the United States and Spanish governments. 
It resulted in an agreement between the two 
governments that a commission should be 
appointed to investigate the circumstances 
attending Dr. Ruiz death. The Spanish 
government appointed as its commissioner 
Senor Congosta. and the L'nited States, 
General Fitzhugh Lee. The president ap- 
pointed Mr. Calhotm as special counsel to ♦ 
the American commission, and went to Ha- 
vana in the latter part of Alay, 1897, and was 
there for sevral weeks attending the com- 
mission and assisting in the investigation. 
The Spanish authorities claimed that Ruiz 
committed suicide by butting his head 
against the iron door which inclosed his 
cell, causing congestion of the brain, from 
which he died. The commission made its 
report to both go\'ernments. An award was 
allowed by the Spanish government in fa\or 
of the widow and children of the deceased 
because personally, whatever might have 
been the cause of his death, he had been com- 
mitted and held in prison contrary to the 
terms of the existing treatv between the 



1046 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Spanish governnient and the United States. 
But before the awartl was paid, the Main 
was blown up. the war with Spain ensued, 
and the unfortunate family of Ruiz never 
recovered nnything. 

Mr. Calhoun upon his return from Cuba 
was tendered the position of comptroller of 
the treasury by the president, but he de- 
clined it, and returned to the practice of his 
profession. In May. 1898, he was appointed 
a member of the Interstate Commerce Com- 
mission to succeed Colonel William R. Mor- 
rison, whose term had expired. He re- 
mained on the comniisison until October, 
1899, when he resigned to move to Chicago 
;.nd enter the law firm of Pam, Calhoun & 
Glennon. He has resided in Chicago ever 
since. His wife died August 2-j, 1898. He 
is acti\-ely engaged in the practice of law, 
and he and the tirm with which he is con- 
nected, is associated with many of the large 
ci'mmerrial interests of the countrv. 



STACEY MILLER. 



Stacey Miller was a successful husniess 
man who started out in life for himself with- 
out capital, but who. through perseverance, 
determination and energy, accumulated a 
handsome competence and was numbered 
among the jinisperous residents of Dan\ille. 
Born in the fatherland, his birth occurred in 
Duenneger, on the 6th of January, 1837. 
His parents were Stacey and Susanna 
(Meyer) Miller, also natives of Germany, 
and l)idding adieu to that country and to 
their friends there they sailed for America, 
taking up their abode in Montezuma. Illinois. 
There the father hrst worked as a laborer 
and afterward he engaged in the meat busi- 



ness, being employed in the l)utcher's trade 
in Montezuma until he was called to his 
hnal rest. His widow afterward lived with 
her children an.d died at the home of her 
daughter in Terre Haute, Indiana. Five of 
the children are yet living. l)eing residents 
of Indiana and Kentucky and Illinois. 

To the public school system of his native 
land Stacey Miller was indebted for the 
educational pri\ileges which he enjoyed. A 
year after the emigration of his father to the 
new world he, too, bade adieu to friends in 
his native country and sailed for the United 
States, joining his i)arents in Montezuma, 
where he remainetl until he was eighteen 
years of age. He was then married in that 
place to Miss Louise Blakely. a native of 
Wittenburg. Germany, born on the 
27th of September, 1838. She is a daughter 
of Jacob and Louise (Scheifely) Blakely, 
who were born in the fatherland and came 
to America during the early girlhood of Mrs. 
Miller. They first settled in Erie. Pennsyl- 
\ania, where the father was employed as a 
laborer for a \*t\\ years. He then removed 
with his family to Covington, Indiana, where 
he engaged in farming until his death. His 
wife also passed away in that place. The 
home of ]Mr. and Mrs. Miller was l)lessed 
with se\en children: Catherine, who died at 
the age of three years: Joseph, a bartender 
residing in Danville: Louise, the wife of 
Charles Hildebresh, who is proprietor of a 
saloon in Danville; Odelia, who died in in- 
fancy; Sophia, the wife of Gus Flick, who 
is foreman of the Danxille Brewery, of this 
city : Stacey, who is a bartender and also 
li\es in Danville: and Clarence, who is at 
home with his mother. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. 
Stacey Miller took up their abode in Coving- 
ton. Indiana, where he was engaged in team- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



I047 



ing until 1870. He then came to this city 
and purchased a saloon and restaurant on 
Main street, conducting the dual business for 
three years. At the end of that time he sold 
his restaurant and purchased another saloon 
on Main street, being thus engaged in the 
retail liquor business throughout the re- 
mainder of his life. He was accorded a 
liberal patronage and his annual sales re- 
turned to him an excellent income. He 
always attended strictly to business and his 
close application and energy brought to him 
a gratifying degree of success. He passed 
away May it, 1898, his death being widely 
mourned because he had won many friends 
in the city. 

In his political views he was a Democrat 
and fraternally he was connected with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the 
Improved Order of Foresters, both of Dan- 
ville. In his religious faith he was a 
Catholic, while his wife is a member of the 
German Lutheran church of this city. Mrs. 
Miller was left in very comfortable circum- 
stances by her husband, and she now owns 
a beautiful residence at 612 Wayne street, 
where she and her 3'oungest son now live. 
She also owns two nice store buildings on 
Main street, which are rented, and her pro- 
perty interests likewise include an addition 
to Danville of five acres on Perryville avenue, 
which is becoming valuable property and will 
doubtless bring to her a good financial re- 
turn when she desires to sell. 



ELLIS ada:\is. 



Ellis Adams was born in Sussex county, 
New Jersey, September 25, 181 7. His 
father was Joseph Adams, at one time county 
judge of Sussex county, and his mother was 



Margaret Post of the same county. He 
worked on a farm and helped in the mill 
during the summer, getting some schooling 
during the winter, until he was fourteen 
years of age. He tlien clerked in a country 
store for one year. At the age of fifteen 
he accepted a clerkship in Newburg on the 
Hudson river, sixty miles from New York 
city, remaining with the firm of William 
O. Mailler & Company for four years. 

At this time he began to feel the need 
of a better education, so resigning his clerk- 
ship, he began attending an acadany at 
Florida, Orange county. New York. After 
six months of academy work the principal 
told him if he was still sure he was going 
to be a merchant that the academy work 
was not suited to his needs. Acting on the 
advice, he reported to the firm for whom he 
formerly clerked at Newburg, New York. 
One of the firm took him to New York city 
and introduced and gave him a recommend- 
ation to the firm of C. W. & I. T. Moore & 
Company, wholesale dry goods. He was 
soon considered one of the best clerks and 
was getting on nicely with the work for 
which he seemed to have a natural aptitude, 
when he received word from home that his 
father had sold his farm, stock etc., with 
the avowed intention of moving to the Rock 
river country in Illinois, and wished him to 
go with them, to the then (so called) far 
west. His mother's entreaties, added to the 
rest of the families' wishes, finally led him 
to make the promise they wished, though to 
give up a fine position that was suited to him 
in every way, was a very hard thing to do. 
His employers were very kind to him and, 
although they were sure the change was a 
bad one for his future, they would not ad- 
vise him against what they knew would be 
against the wishes of his parents. He had 
made a \'erv short visit home and had re- 



1048 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



turned tii fill liis po^^itiim until e\'erything 
was ready for the moving of the family, 
when he received a message from his father 
to meet him at once at the merchant's house 
in the citv. On going to the hotel his father 
met him and told him rdl of the plans were 
changed. He had Just returned from the 
soutii and while tliere had purchased a plan- 
tation near Spottsylvania Court House. He 
told his father he did not wish to go .south, 
had ne\cr made anv promise to go south and 
he felt fully assured the move was a very 
bad one for all of them. He also pleaded 
against the giving up of a lucrative position 
with every cliance for promotion, to go and 
live on that poor \"irginia land, with no 
show for more than a liare living. But his 
father's i)ersuasions and his mother finally 
saying .she would not go unless he did caused 
him to yield and he reluctantly consented. 
At the appointed time he took a steamer on 
the 1 luclson river for Xewburg, a distance 
of si.Kty miles, then a stage for forty miles 
southwest for home. Here he found all 
hurry and preparation for the move. Part 
went in wagons and part in public conxey- 
ance on account of there being no railroad 
to Washington city. At Washington, they 
took a steamer on the Potomac to Ac<|ua 
creek, a distance of forty miles. From there 
they took a stage for all of them who were 
not driving wagons, to I-'redericksburg. Vir- 
ginia. They were then fifteen luiles from 
the plantation which had Ijeen bought. Here 
they found a very ])leasant ami well located 
plantation. There was a number of good 
cabins, a nice house, with plenty of room, 
large stables and abundance of fruit. But 
in the fall the whole familv were taken down 
with l)ilious fever and had a very serious 
time, but all finally recovered e.\cei)ting Mr. 
Howell, his sister Ann's husband, who was 
buried under the shade of two persimmon 



trees, where afterward were buried our sub- 
ject's father, mother and sister. Twenty- 
six years afterward he was there and had a 
new fence built around the graves. 

^fr. Adams' experience on a \'irginia 
farm was not a satisfactory one. The soil 
was too poor for anything but fruit and of 
this there was always an abundance. He 
found that it was impossible to keep up the 
fertility of the land and make it pay the e.x- 
])ense. Knowing \irginia was no place for 
him, he planned to g-o away from home again 
but finally yielding to the wishes of his 
mother, he made her a final promise not to 
leave home until after her death. She diecf 
at the age of fifty-nine years. In speaking 
of this ])eriod of his life, he always said he 
had never fell sorry he had remained at home 
to please his mother and sisters, although 
from a financial view it was five years of 
wasted time. During the time he made his 
home in \'irginia. his sister Sarah married 
James W. Howard, who is well and favor- 
ably known to many of the people of Fair- 
mount. His sister Eleanor married Robert 
Chewning. She died three years later. His 
sister Ann. during the same period became 
engaged to Samuel King, his future wife's 
brother. Ellis Adams was married to 
Amanda K. King, of Philadelphia. Pennsyl- 
vania. December 5. 1844. His father's 
f;nnily moved to the north again in 1843. 
having lost about all they had. 

.After his marriage Mr. Adams went to 
work for a Mr. Reeves of Goshen. Orange 
county. Xew A'ork. with whoni he remained 
two years. Mr. Reeves did a general busi- 
ness in almost every line : dry goods, gro- 
ceries, iron, western Hour. Ixiught and sold 
grain and liquor. He told Mr. Reeves he 
would handle anything he had except liquor 
and he was never asked to touch that while 
he was there. Before his first vear's work 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1049 



was over he was often sent to Xew York 
to buy goods for the firm. His son. Frank 
K. Adams, was born in Goshen, Orange 
county, New York, July 3, 1846. He re- 
mained witli 'Sir. Reeves for two years and 
then went in the general merchandise busi- 
ness for himself at Unionville, Orange 
county, New York, fifteen miles from 
Goshen, and was in business there for fifteen 
years. At the end of that time he sold ol¥ 
everything and prepared to go west. At 
this time his old employer, Mr. Reeves, went 
to Unionville and made him an ofTer of 
one-half his large business and place him in 
charge of it, but as he had made all his 
arrangements to go west he refused the offer 
in spite of its being a fine business opening. 
He had always done a big and lucrative 
business in Unionville and had become tired 
of so much confinement and concluded to go 
west and buy a farm. In the fall of 1856, he 
packed his valise and paid a short visit to his 
brother-in-law, P. R. Davis who lived in 
Fairmount, Illinois. He was much pleased 
with the country and bought a piece of land 
of Samuel Daugherty, and went home again 
by way of Chicago and Niagara Falls. He 
wrote his wife what he had done and when 
he was coming home, etc. He then went 
on home, made a short stay, went on to 
New York city attended to some business 
and was back home again before the letter 
reached his home. 

In 1857 he closed out everything and 
came west with his family. J. W. Howard 
and family coming with him. His family 
at this time consisted of his daughter, Anna 
M.. and son G. Clarence Adams. His oldest 
son, Frank K. was in Conneticut attending 
school and did not come west until the next 
year. Himself and family boarded for the 
summer at the home of P. R. Davis, and in 
the fall went back to their eastern home 



again to spend the winter. He found the 
goods at the home as they had left them, all 
in good order. But all the family were in 
bad condition physically from the effects of 
chills and fever. All had yellow skin and 
fever blisters all over their mouths. There 
were many of his friends who were anxious 
to hear what he thought of that part of the 
west but when they saw his condition not 
one of them cared to hear about it. At first 
none of the family wanted to go back west 
but as soon as the)- were well they all 
changed their minds and were anxious to 
return. He sold everything off he could not 
take with him and moved to Fairmount, 
Illinois. On reaching there he bought the 
house built by John Harvey, on the corner 
of Court and High streets. Two years af- 
terward he built the house in which he lived 
for so many years. The house was later cut 
in two parts by George Junkerman and 
moved on two lots he owned in the east 
part of town. Ed. Carrington now owns 
the lots and has built upon them and lives 
there. 

At about this time Dr. Cou, of Homer, 
brought a stock of dry goods to Fairmount 
and Mr. Adams bought a half interest in 
them in order to give his son Frank some- 
thing to do. Making this purchase it kept 
him in the trade for a number of years but 
he fecund he was not suited for a western 
merchant, and turned the business over to 
his son Frank, who had charge of the busi- 
ness for many years. He came west to get 
a farm and always kept that end in view. 
He kept buying land until he had four hun- 
dred and eighty acres in one body. 

Mr. Adams sent his daughter Anna to 
school at Portsmouth, Ohio, for a year and 
then for a year to a female boarding school 
at Indianapolis, Indiana, where she com- 
pleted her education. In 1870 he sent his 



I050 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



son Clarence to tlie State Uni\-ersity at 
Clianipaign, he being then fifteen years of 
age. He passed a very creditable exami- 
nation and was admitted to the freshman 
year. Me had attended for three years and 
a term when lie died. .\ pecnhar ciiain of 
circumstances prevented his son Clarence 
from completing his course. Soon after 
this Mr. Adams rented or sold his property 
in Fairmoiint and removed to Champaign. 
Illinois, where he remained for twelve years. 
His daughter Anna was married in Cham- 
paign to Stanley L. Conklin, of that place. 
This was in 1874. While in Champaign 
his wife, Amanda R., became helpless from 
the effects of rheuinatism and had to be 
mo\ed by the aid of a wheel chair. The 
rheumatism also settled in her eyes and de- 
fied the skill of the best oculists and on the 
return of the family to Fairmount in 1887 
she becanie entirely blind. When she found 
she was certainly going- blind she wished to 
return to Fairmount and it was done. Mr. 
Adams lived in Fairmount from 1882 to 
1886. Then himself and wife went to live 
with his daughter Anna, in Columbus, 
Kansas. His daughter's husband was in the 
banking business at that place. They lived 
there one year, Mr. Adams having spent four 
months of that time with his son Clarence 
at his home in Fairmount, Illinois. At the 
end of the vear his son-in-law sold out his 
banking business and made preparations to 
move to Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Adams 
then concluded he was as far west as he 
wanted to be and came back to Fairmount 
and moved into the house now occupied by 
George Junkerman. His son Clarence was 
now living" on the farm. His wife, .\manda 
R., died in Fairmount, Illinois, September 
3, 1889. After her death he divided his 
time between his daughter and son, being 
with his (laughter during the Winters at 



Kansas City, Missouri, and his summers 
with his son Clarence at Fairmount. He 
died at Kansas City, on November 11, 1891. 



HENRY DAMS. 



Henry Da\is, a farmer of \'ance town- 
ship. \'ermilion county, was born in this 
county May 5, 1841, a son of Williaiu Davis, 
one of the pioneer settlers of Vermilion coun- 
ty. The latter was a native of Ohio and de- 
scended from Scotch-Irish ancestry. He be- 
came a large landowner of Vermilion coun- 
ty, having two thousand acres. He married 
Elizabeth Hayes, a native of Ohio and to 
them were born ten children, Henry being 
the fourth in order of birth. 

Henry Davis received his education in an 
old log schoolhouse and remained at home 
until twenty-two years of age. He was mar- 
ried on the J4th of December, 1863, to Miss 
Nancy Cox, who died Octoter 24, 1874. 
He was married a second time to Rebecca E. 
Baird, on the 7th of Septembr, 1875. Three 
children were born to them : Fred L., Grace 
Elizabeth and Sarah Mabel. Mrs. Rebecca 
E. (Baird) Davis died July 18, 1883. Mr. 
Davis was again married April 5, 1881, to 
Miss M. Belle Pemberton. 

Mr. Davis lias always engaged in farm- 
ing with exception of one year spent in the 
grocery trade at Fairmount and has always 
taken an active interest in stock-raising in 
connection with general farming. Politic- 
ally he is a Deiuocrat and has served as high- 
wav commissioner many years and as school 
director. For several years he was ])resi- 
dent of the \'ermilion County Agricultural 
and Mechanical Association. He also served 
as a member of the toard of directors of 
the Fair Association and as crop reporter 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1051 



for the agricultural department at Spring- 
field. He was a member of the Democratic 
Central Committee for years and active in 
church work, both he and his wife being 
members of the Baptist church. 



MURRY J. BUTTERFIELD. 

Since 1S80 Mr. Butterfield has been 
identified with industrial interests of Dan- 
ville. Many important contracts have been 
awarded him and his skill and enterprise 
have gained for him a leading position 
among representative and successful business 
men of this place. 

Mr. Butterfield was born in Saltsburg, 
Pennsylvania, April 12, 1850, a son of 
Clarke and Elizabeth (Caldwell) Butter- 
field. The father died in 1877 at the age of 
sixty-eight years and the mother died when 
our subject was only nine months old, 
leaving three children : Margaret, the wife 
of W. S. Ray, of Iowa ; Rebecca, the wife 
of Nesbett Gallagher, of Delphi, Indiana: 
and Murry J., of this review. 

No event of special importance occurred 
to vary the routine of life for Murry J. 
Butterfield through his early youth, which 
was spent in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. His 
time was passed in the usual manner of lads 
of that period. He enjoyed the pleasures 
of the play ground and performed the duties 
of the school room, pursuing his education 
in Greensburg. When yet a bo_\- he went 
to Oil City, Venango county, Pennsylvania, 
His parents objected to his leaving home at 
so early an age and therefore to provide for 
his own support he secured work at tamping 
ties on the railroad and thus he gained the 
money with which to make his present busi- 
ness venture. After leaving the parental 



roof in 1865 he began learning the carpen- 
ter's trade and went to ^It. Pleasant, Penn- 
sylvania, and thence to Pittsburg, remaining 
in the last place from the fall of 1869 to 1875, 
at which time he removed to Osceola, Penn- 
sylvania, and took charge of the planing 
mill for the firm of Walker Brothers, be- 
ing associated with that enterprise for two 
years. On the expiration of that period he 
removed to Altoona, Pennsylvania, and was 
employed in the railway shops until the 
spring of 1880, when he came to Danville, 
Illinois, and worked for Moore & Coy. At 
a later day he became a partner of David 
Lichliter, as a member of the firm of Butter- 
field & Lichliter, contractors and builders. 
This connection was maintained until 1886, 
when the firm dissolved partnership and Mr. 
Butterfield carried on the business for him- 
self in the same line. In that year, however, 
he went to Los Angeles, California, where 
he remained for a time, working at his trade, 
but he concluded to locate permanently in 
Danville and returned to this city in 1888. 
In the intervening period he has prospered 
in his business undertakings. He has se- 
cured and executed some large contracts for 
building coal mines, elevator machines, the 
Gregg elevator, the Delong grain elevator 
and also one at Perrysville, Indiana. He 
built the Catlin mines, the Hammond mines 
and has also erected many of the leading 
and fine buildings of Danville. He has a 
thorough knowledge of the builder's art in 
all its departments, his skill arising from 
practical experience and from a thorough 
understanding of the great mechanical prin- 
ciples which are closely connected with this 
industry. 

In 1877 occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Butterfield and Miss Lydia M. Hugus, who 
was born in Delmont, Pennsylvania, August 
4, 1846, her parents being Henry and Sarah 



1052 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



(Wagaman) Hugus, one of tlie represent- 
ative families of that place. Her mother 
died in 1891, at the age of seventy-one years, 
and she recently receiveil the sad news of 
her fatlier's death. lie having passed away 
at his home at Delmont. March 18. 1902. at 
the ripe old age of eighty-three years and 
ten months. Of his six children those who 
survive him are Mrs. Butterfield, who is the 
eldest of the family; Clara J., wife of Joseph 
Wolf, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania ; Ella, a 
prominent school teacher of Greensburg, 
Pennsylvania: and George, who lias been 
twice married. He is one of the prominent 
citizens of Westmoreland coiintv. Pennsvl- 
vania, where he served as county superin- 
tendent of schools for eight vears. havine 
five hundred schools under his supervision. 
He finished the common-school course when 
only twelve years of age. and began teach- 
ing when quite young, soon becoming a 
most proficient and successful educator. 
Mrs. Rntterlield completed her education in 
the public schools of Delmont, Pennsylvania, 
and to-day presides with gracious dignity 
over her pleasant home at 1121 Oak street, 
Danville. 

^Ir. and Mrs. Butterfield have four 
children : Ella Myrtle. Henry Hugus. Sarah 
Elizabeth and Murry Clarke. Ella M. mar- 
ried O. R. Gray, a telegraph operator for 
the Big Eour Railroad, and they have one 
child, W'arren Murry Gray, named for his 
grandfather. Sarah E. is now the wife of 
\\'illiam Meyers and has one child, Charles 
IMeyers. Richard married Minnie Zimmer- 
man and has three children. In 1901 Mr. 
Butterfield erected in one of the best resi- 
dence districts of Danville — a recent ad- 
dition on Oak street — a very handsome and 
attractive home in which the family now 
reside. They have many friends in the city 
and are highly esteemed in the social circles 



in which they move. Merit and ability have 
gained for Mr. Butterfield a creditable po- 
sition and his influence is broadly felt in 
industrial circles. His life has l)een open to 
his fellow citizens and his business methods 
and career will bear the closest investigation. 



ELI S. SPERRY. 



The S])erry family was established in 
Xew England at an early day. The paternal 
grandfather of our subject was Wallace 
Sperry, who was born in Connecticut. He 
wedded Sarah Watkins. who came of an old 
family of Maryland. In an early day the 
grandparents of our subject removed to 
W'arren county, Ohio, and there Orrin 
Sperry, the father, was born September 4, 
1828, being the sixth in order of birth in 
the family of nine children. He was but 
two years of age when his parents came to 
\'ermilion county, Illinois, arriving in 1830 
the family settling near Higginsville. He 
obtained a practical education in the dis- 
trict schools and after reaching man's estate 
he purchased a Alexican land warrant for 
which he paid one hundred and fifty dollars. 
Through this means he acquired one hundred 
and sixty acres of land on section 20, and 
by thrift and good management he acquired 
five hundred and nine acres of valuable land 
which through his untiring industry became 
a most excellent farm well tiled and im- 
proved, with good substantial buildings, 
although the county was a veritable wilder- 
ness when he arrived here. The surface of 
the land was cut up with sloughs and ponds. 
He lived to see a wonderful transformation. 
The prairie wolves, wild turkeys, geese, 
cranes and prairie chickens as well as ileer 
were all driven westward, to be replaced by 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



I0S3 



the domestic animals of tlie farm. Orrin 
Sperry passed through all of the hardships 
and trials of pioneer life and always bore 
his part in the upbuilding and development 
of this section of the state. He was a re- 
spected and worthy citizen whose name is 
inscribed upon the roll of honored pioneers. 
He was twice married. On the 23d ot 
September. 1852, he wedded Mary Stewart, 
a native of Scotland and a daughter of 
William and Charlotte Stewart, who with 
their family emigrated to this county. Nine 
children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Sperry, of whom four reached maturity, 
namely : Eli : Emma, who became the wife of 
\\ esley Smith, a son of George G. Smith ; 
Asa, deceased ; and Eben. The last named 
married Libbie Sutton and after her death 
married Julia Slaughter. The others of the 
family who have passed away were quite 
young at the time of their death, being 
named: William A., Charles F., Clarissa J., 
George M. and Jessie G. On the the 30th of 
August, 18S3, the father wedded Ellen 
Cosat, a daughter of Henry and Nancy 
Wood, and the widow of Perry C. Cosat. 
Mr. Sperry was a man of excellent 
qualities and genuine worth, a good 
manager in business, thrifty and enter- 
prising, and ever honorable and straight- 
forward. He was a devoted member of the 
United Brethren church and in politics an 
earnest Republican. He passed from this 
life in August, 18Q3, leaving an untarnished 
name to his family. 

Eli S. .Sperry was born in Blount town- 
ship, August 14, 1853, and was here reared 
upon the home farm. His primary educa- 
tion. ac(juired in the district schools, was 
supplemented by se\ eral terms of study in 
Green Hill Seminary of Warren county. 
Indiana. In the meantime he engaged in 

teaching in the district schools for two terms 
43 



and has since taught for several terms, hold- 
ing high grade certificates. He was married 
December 2^. 1879, to Serelda L. Johnson, 
who was born in Iroquois county, Illinois, 
December 15. 1855, the fourth in order of 
birth of the children of Alfred C. and Mary 
A. ( Bodda ) Johnson. Her father was Ixirii 
in Columbus, Ohio, her mother in Pennsyl- 
vania. ]Mrs. Sperry was also educated in the 
district schools and in Green Hill Seminary 
and taught school for several terms in her 
native county. By her marriage she has 
become the mother of two daughters, Maude 
C. and Alary Ethel, who are young ladies 
of superior culture and intelligence. Hav- 
ing completed the common-school course 
they are now students in Westfield College 
of Clark county, Illinois, both pursuing phil- 
osophical and Biblical normal courses. They 
are able writers and both have acted as presi- 
dent of the literary society of the college and 
ha\-e had the honor of addressing the college 
at the time of its closing exercises, Maude 
having written and delivered a paper on 
"Devotion to purpose," and Ethel upon 
"The power of sympathy," both addresses , 
being eloquently rendered. Mrs. Sperry has 
also reared her nephew. Palmer A. Rush, 
whose mother died when he was but two 
weeks old, giving the baby to her sister. Al- 
though he has never been legally adopted he 
has been reared as a member of the family 
and is now sixteen years of age. He com- 
pleted the district school course and, leaving 
the high school of Westfield in his senior 
year, he is now in the freshman class in the 
Westfield College. Air. Sperry is acting as 
guardian for the Chapman heirs, grandchil- 
dren of John W. Goodwine. 

Throughout his business career Mr. Sper- 
ry has been engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising, and carries a good grade of 
registered shorthorns and other high grades 



IOS4 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



of various kinds of stock. He sells quite 
-extensively to shippers, disposing of about 
two carloads per year, ^^l^en he located oi: 
Jiis present farm on section 29, Blount town- 
ship, it was little cultivated. He has tiled 
the place, comprising two hundred and forty 
acres, and lias made it a very rich and pro- 
■ductive tract, being now regarded as one of 
the leading, progressive and practical agri- 
culturists of his community. Both he and 
his wife have assisted materially in the up- 
building of the community and also have 
taken active parts in promoting the cause of 
the United Brethren church. Mr. Sperry 
•erected a house of worship, but it was blown 
away in a tornado. His wife has been very 
zealous in Sunday-school work and both are 
known as earnest Christian people, com- 
.manding uniform confidence and respect. 
'.Mr. Sperry votes the Republican ticket, but 
lias never been an aspirant for office, preferr- 
ing to give his time and attention to his busi- 
ness affairs which have been honorably and 
creditably conducted and have been the 
means of gaining for him desirable pros- 
perity. 



DAVID BEARD. 

The name of David Beard is one which 
•«vas familiar to early pioneer settlers as well 
as to later day residents of Danville, because 
lie became a resident of this city in 1855. 
<jreat changes have been wrought liy time 
and man since then. There was but one 
Irick house in the city, and but few frame 
<lvvellings, the majority of the homes being 
log structures, at the time of his arrival. 

Mr. Beard was a native of Ireland, lx>rn 
in i8ji. His parents, John and Ellen Beard, 
■were likewise natives of the Emerald isle, 
ivhcre they spent their entire li\-es, the father 



devoting his energies to agricultural pur- 
suits. A common-school education was 
aft'orded to tiur suljject in the land of his 
birth, and under the parental roof he was 
reareil. In 1847 he was united in marriage, 
in Ireland, ti) Miss Mary Graham, a native 
of County I-'ermanagh. Ireland, born on the 
26th of August, 1826. Her parents were 
John and Ann (McGee) Graham, both born 
in Ireland where they lived until called to the 
home beyond. Her father de\'oted his ener- 
gies to agricultural pursuits and to the mill- 
ing business, and had valuable business in- 
terests there, owning a very large farm and 
operating two gristmills. The marriage of 
Mr. and Mrs. Beard was blessed with two 
children : Magg'ie. who was born in Brook- 
lyn. Xew York, and is now the wife of Mr. 
Geeler. a resident of Danville: and John, 
who is also a native of Brooklyn and was 
married in this city to Miss Hattie Myers. 
They have a beautiful home at Xo. 415 
South street in Danville and Mr. Beard is 
one of the leading contractors and builders 
of this city, and a very prominent and in- 
fluential man. He has been mayor of Dan- 
ville for two terms and has taken an active 
part in ]nil)lic aft'airs, wliich have had marked 
influence upon the development and progress 
of this city. Honored and respected by all, 
he well deserves public recognition which has 
come to him in an oflicial way. 

David Beard of this review was the only 
member of the father's familv that ever came 
to America. In 1848, accompanied by his 
young wife, he sailed for the new world, the 
vessel on which they took passage dropping 
anchor in the harbor of New York city after 
a N'oyage of fixe weeks. He sailed March 
25, and landed May 2. There he was em- 
plovetl as a laborer for a time and he after- 
ward acted as a clerk in stores in Xew York 
and in Brooklyn, being thus engageil for six 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



loss 



years. On the expiration of that period he 
came direct to Danville and was among its 
first settlers. Here he secured work as a 
laborer in the stone quarry and soon after- 
ward he purchased a half interest in the busi- 
ness, and it was not long before he owned 
the whole plant. He furnished the stone 
and assisted in the erection of many of the 
principal stone business blocks and resi- 
dences here, building many of the fine homes 
which now belong to the bankers and other 
men of wealth of Danville. His business 
was prosecuted energetically and success- 
fully until 1864, when his health began to fail 
and with the handsome competence that he 
had acquired through his enterprising efiforts 
he retired from business life and during the 
last twenty years of his earthly existence he 
was not associated with any business under- 
taking save the supervision of his invest- 
ments. 

Mr. Beard was never an office seeker, but 
was a stanch Democrat in politics and al- 
ways cast his ballot for the men and measures 
of that party. He held membership in the 
Catholic church, to which is wife also be- 
longs, and was very generous in support of 
the cause. He gained a wide acquaintance 
in Danville, where he was highly esteemed 
because of his straightforwardness in busi- 
ness, his reliability in citizenship and his 
devotion to his family and friends. He de- 
parted this life July 7, 1883, respected by all 
who knew him. He had been connected with 
the city from pioneer times and as Danville 
grew and expanded he ever maintained his 
place in the ranks of the leading men who 
Avere de\-oted to the general good and who 
awaken uniform esteem and confidence by 
lives of uprightness and honesty. Like her 
husband Airs. Beard is a de\oted Catholic. 
She finds a pleasant home with her son at 
No. 415 South street and she is the owner of 



consideralile \-aluable property in Danville, 

including a general mercantile store, a 

butclier shop on South street, two residences 

on Jackson street, a residence on Green street 

and also other valuable realty which returns 

to her a good income and supplies her with 

all of the comforts and many of the luxuries 

of life. 

♦-•-♦ 

J. W. jNIILLER, 

J. W. JNIiller, who is serving as mayor of 
Sidell and is a business man of prominence, 
has through almost one-third of a century 
lived in this portion of Illinois. He is a na- 
tive of the neighboring state of Indiana, his 
birth having occurred in Montgomery coun- 
ty, on the 13th of April, 1848. His father. 
Abraham Miller, was born in 1799, in Ken- 
tucky, and was a son of Joseph ]\Iiller, an 
early settler of that state. Reared to man- 
hood there, Abraham IMiller was married in 
Kentucky and later removed to Indiana, 
settling in Montgomery county among its 
early settlers, who laid the foundation for 
its later development and progress. He 
cleared a tract of land and opened up a farm, 
making it a good property. There he lost 
his tirst wife and later he married Miss Mary 
Jane Briggs, a native of the Hoosier state. 
Subsequently he removed to Tippecanoe 
county. Indiana, and afterward to Warren 
county, that state, where he remained for 
some years. He next came to Illinois in 
company with his son, J. W. IMiller of this 
review, arri\-ing in the year 1872. Here he 
spent his remaining days, but he was not 
long permitted to enjoy his new home, his 
death occurring in 1873. when he was sev- 
enty-four years of age. His son, J. W. 
Miller, cared fijr him throughout his decliii- 
in" years, thus repaying him for the parenta'l 



1056 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



attention wliich lie liail received in his youtli. 
The mother of our subject (hed in Indiana, 
when the son was a child of two years, pass- 
ing away in 1850. 

J. W. Miller was reared to manhood in 
Warren county. Indiana, enjoying hut few 
privileges in his youth for his boyhood was a 
period of toil. His educational privileges 
were meager and when a mere lad of thirteen 
years he began labor as a farm liand by the 
month, gi\ing his earnings for the support of 
his father and the family. He was employed 
by tlie month for about fourteen years in 
Warren and Tippecanoe counties, remaining 
in the service of one man on the old Cherry 
farm in Ti])])ecanoe county .seven years. 
This fact certainly indicates how faithful he 
was to duty and that he enjoyed the confi- 
dence of liis em])loyer to an unusal degree. 

In 1870 Mr. Miller came to Illinois, lo- 
cating in \'ernuIion county and here 
through the succeeding fall and winter he 
worked upon a farm. He was married here 
on the 19th of December, 1871, to Miss Re- 
becca Marsh, who was l>orn and reared in 
this county, a daughter of Joseph Marsh, 
one of the first settlers here. Her father was 
a most loyal and ])atriotic citizen and served 
his country faithfully in the Mexican war 
and also in the war of the Rebellion. 

After his marriage Mr. Miller returned 
to Indiana, working a farm on shares in 
Warren county for one year, in February, 
1872, however, he again came to Illinois and 
rented a farm near p-airmount. For five 
years he continued to operate this land and 
tlien made his first purchase. l)ecoming the 
owner of forty-three acres near (ieorgetown. 
No improvements had been made upon that 
place, but he built a small house and began 
to farm his ]>roperty. He also rented other 
land adjacent to his own liome and subse- 
quently he sold his first farm and bought a 



tract of eighty acres on which some improve- 
ments had been made. Taking up his abode 
there he continued its cultivation for seven 
years. This he sold and bought one hun- 
dred and si.xty acres in Sidell township, six 
miles from the town of Sidell. On this place 
were but very few improvements. He built 
a good house and fenced and tiled the farm. 
He also erected a substantial barn and out- 
buililings and for six years successfullv car- 
ried I )n farming at that place. He afterward 
purchased one hundred and fifty-eight acres 
adjoining Sidell on the south and there he 
erected an attractive residence and commodi- 
ous barns and made other substantial im- 
provements, which constitute this a valuable 
farm. The year after locating on this prop- 
erty he sold the old home place and contin- 
ued to cultivate and improve his place ad- 
joining Sidell until 1900. when he disposed 
of this, although he maintained possession 
for another year. He then Ijought a resi- 
dence in the village, where he has since made 
his home. Not only has he successfully car- 
ried on cultivatitm of crops but since 1875 
he has made a business of buying, selling and 
ship])ing horses and mules, following that 
for twenty years. He afterward begun 
breeding and dealing in standard bred horses 
and he has shipped many fine honses and 
made extensive sales. Some years ago he 
established a grocery Inisiness in Sidell. car- 
rying on that enter|)rise with success for five 
years. In 1888 he l>egan dealing in farm 
im])lements and machines and in connection 
with this line he also handles buggies and 
wag'ons. He has built up a good trade and 
has gained an excellent reputation for fair 
dealing. His sales are now quite extensive 
and as an enterpising merchant Mr. Miller 
is well known. He was also one of the pro- 
moters of the Sidell Building and Loan As- 
sociation, serx'ed as its presirlent for nine 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1057 



years and is now its vice president. The 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Miller was blessed 
with six children, four of whom are yet liv- 
ing: Eddie L.. Claude T., Clemnia and Ada 
May. Mr. Miller lost his first wife in Sep- 
tember, 1890, and she was laid to rest in In- 
dianola cemetery amid the deep regret of her 
many friends. In October, 1891, Mr. Mil- 
ler was joined in wetllock to Fannie M. 
Michener, who was born in this county and 
is a daughter of W. W. Michener, one of the 
early settlers here. There are three children 
by this union : Mildred, Russell and 
Genevieve. 

Politically I\Ir. Miller was formerly iden- 
tified with the Democratic party, but for 
some years has given his support to the Pro- 
hibition party and cast the first Prohibition 
vote in Sidell township. He is the first Pro- 
hibition mayor ever in the town and is prov- 
ing a most capable officer, although he has 
never been an office seeker, content to do his 
duty as a private citizen. He is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church and one 
of its earnest and effective workers, while 
for some years he served as superintendent 
of the Sunday-school. Socially he is identi- 
fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows and the Modern ^Voodmen of America 
and was chairman of the building committee 
under whose direction the Odd Fellows hall 
was erected. He built the second house in 
Sidell, and has labored effectively for the 
material upbuilding and improvement of this 
place and for the entire county. He aided 
in de\-eloping three farms here and his work 
has been effective and far-reaching. He is 
indeed a public spirited and progressive citi- 
zen and his name is now on the roll of those 
who have been foremost in promoting the 
public activity of this section of the state. 
He owns three brick houses in Sidell, has 
built two good business blocks there. A man 



of tried integrity and worth his word is as 
good as any bond and he is most faithful in 
meeting any obligation or fulfilling the terms 
of a contract. It is said that if J. W. Miller 
enters into an agreement he ne\'er fails in 
the fulfillment of his part of it, but always 
stands honorably by his position. He is a 
representative man of strong purpose, known 
and honored by all with whom he comes in 
contact. 



MASON M. WRIGHT. 

Mason ]M. Wright was born December 
15, 1832. in Wilmington, Ohio, a son of 
Potter and Teressa Wright. His father, 
a native of Rhode Island, went to Ohio at 
an early day. By trade he was a millwright 
and followed that business througlmut his 
entire career. There the gerater part of his 
family remained, living in that locality for 
vears. as prominent and influential members 
of the community. There were five brothers 
and one sister in the family, including 
George Wright, of Chicago. Those deceased 
are: Horatio, Mason M., Horace, James. 
Henry and Cynthia. The family were of 
the Episcopalian faith. The father died be- 
fore the marriage of oui- subject, and his 
mother, survi\'ing her husband for a number 
of years, has also passed away, both depart- 
ing this life in Worthington, Ohio, where 
they were married. 

Mason M. \^'right remained upon the 
home farm until twenty-one or twenty-two 
vears of age and then went to Xobles\ille. 
Here he engaged in merchandising for a few 
vears and from Noblesville he went to IMarys- 
ville, Illinois, continuing there for some years. 
His next place of residence was Higginsville, 
where he remained for some time and then 
selling his property and the dry-goods busi- 



IC58 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ness wliicli lie liad there conducted he came 
to Danville in iS68. Here Mr. Wright be- 
came connected with a private banking busi- 
ness in partnership with John C. Short. 
A\'lien two or three years had passed he pur- 
chased a mill owned by Mr. Henderson and 
at this time gave the plant the name of the 
Danville Mills. Under his supervision this 
industry became an important factor of the 
city. He continually enlarged it, increasing 
his facilities from time to time in order to 
meet the growing demands of his trade. He 
als(.) built a hominy mill and to this business 
he devoted his energies until his death. He 
furnished employment to a number of work- 
men, so that the enterprise was of value to 
the community as well as to himself. The 
product of the mill was shipped as well as 
sold to the home market, and annually the 
enterprise returned to him a good income. 
]\Ir. Wright was likewise interested in the 
real-estate business to some extent. 

On the 19th of September. 1869, was 
celebrated the marriage of our subject and 
IVIrs. Anna E. l-'orbes, a native of Newark, 
Ohio, and a daughter of William and Mar- 
garet (Davis) Robinson, both of whom were 
natives of Ohio. The father was a mer- 
chant, following that pursuit until called to 
his final rest, his death occurring during the 
early girlhood of Mrs. Wright. In the fam- 
ily were four daughters and one son : Mrs. 
John T. Short, ^Irs. W'.' H. Webster, Mrs. 
\'. L. Hawes and Mrs. ^^'right, all of whom 
are living, and Edward who has passed 
away. The year 1852 witnessed the arrival 
of the family in Danville, and the following 
year the father's death occurred. The mar- 
riage of Mr. and Mrs. Wright has been 
blessed with the following children : George 
M.. a resident of Danville, who is conduct- 
ing a milling business, Genevieve M. and 
Judson M., all of Dan\-ille. 



In his political views Mr. Wright was a 
Republican and while he kept well informed 
on the issues of the day, he never took an 
acti\-e part in political work or sought office. 
He was of a most retiring disposition and of 
a most earnest nature, strong, self-reliant 
and helpful. He was devoted to his family 
and his business, — these largely claiming his 
attention. He held friendship inxiulahle and 
home ties sacred, and thus he endeared him- 
self to all with whom he kad social relations. 
Coming to the west with little capital, he 
sought in the broad business opportunities 
of the developing state of Illinois room for 
his business affairs he won a high measure 
of success. His name, too, was synonymous 
with honorable dealing and his integrity 
stood as an imr|uestioned fact in his career. 



JACKSOX CROMWELL. 

For a half century Jackson Crduiwell 
has been a resident of \'ermilion county, 
and he is numbered among the honored 
pioneers who ha\e laid the foundation for 
the present progress and prosperity which it 
enjoys. He was born in Union county, In- 
diana, Decemljer 13, 1833. His parents 
were John and Rachel Cromwell, natives of 
Maryland and Kentucky. resi)ecti\ely. They 
were married in Union county, Indiana, 
where the father carried on farming until liis 
death, which occurred in 1835. The mother 
then l)ecame the wife of Solomon Harness, a 
native of Ohio and a farmer by occuiiation. 
They removed to Carroll count}', Indiana, 
where Mr. Harness died in 1852. In poli- 
tics he was a W'hig. The mother then re- 
mo\ed to Vermilion county, Illinois, where 
she resided for four years, after which she 
removed to Polk count\-, Missouri, and there 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



10S9 



lier deatli occurred on her nineiietli birthday, 
December 7. igor. By her first marriage 
slie became the mother of two children, the 
subject of this sketch and a daughter, now 
deceased. By her second marriage five chil- 
dren were born, but only one, George, sur- 
vives. He is a resident of Polk county, 
Missouri. 

Jackson Cromwell attended school in 
Union county, Indiana, in a log schoolhouse 
with slab benches fastened on pegs, oiled 
paper windows, and with a fireplace made of 
sticks and mud, in which were burned logs 
about four feet in length. He was only able 
to attend three months during the winter, 
and in tlie summer he spent part of his time 
working in a mill. He was reared by his 
grandfather until he was thirteen years of 
age, when he began working on a farm. 
Later he followed clerking and also hauled 
logs antl worked on a plank road, in Carroll 
county, Indiana. On the 9th of September, 
1852, he came to Vance township, A'ermilion 
county, Illinois. This township at that time 
also included Oakwood township. Land 
was then worth from one dollar and a quar- 
ter to eight dollars per acre. Mr. Cromwell 
traded a horse for forty acres which was sit- 
uated two miles south of where Fairmount 
now stands. The land is now worth one 
hundred and thirty-five dollars per acre. 
The nearest trading point was Danville, 
which was then a town of three or four 
stores. Hazel-brush grew where the Aetna 
House now stands and the jail was an old 
log structure. Homer was a village com- 
prising a mill and one store besides a hotel. 
Corn Mas worth si.x and one-cjuarter cents 
per bushel. Wheat was high and scarce, 
being worth about one dollar per bushel. 
There were no oats. The prairies were wild 
and uncultivated and sloughs abounded, re- 
quiring much draining of the land before it 



would yield returns to those who labored on 
it. The pioneers were industrious, deter- 
mined and energetic and through their ef- 
orts this land has now become among the 
most valuable in the state. In those early 
days hogs and cattle were raised and driven 
to Chicago and even over the mountains to 
Pennsylvania. The womenfolk of the com- 
munit}' were not idle while their husbands 
were working in the fields. They spun the 
flax and wool and made cloth for the house- 
hold. A calico dress was then in the hdght 
of fashion and a "linsey" dress was con- 
sidered the same as we now regard silk. 

On the 2 1 St of September, 1854, in 
^'ance township. Mr. Cromwell was uniteci 
in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Mead, who 
was born in Vermilion county, August 5^ 
1838. a daughter of Nathaniel and Anna> 
(Crane) ^Nleatl. both of whom were natives 
of Maryland, but were married in Ohio, 
]Mr. Alead engaged in farming in Ohio, for 
a time and then removed to Vermilion coun- 
ty, Illinois, in 1834, locating in Vance town- 
ship where he carried on farming until his 
death which occurred September 20, i88g^ 
at the age of ninety years. His first wife' 
died in 1854. at the age of fifty-four years- 
Both were born in 1800. He was a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church and in 
politics was a Whig. In 1856 Mr. Mead 
married ^Irs. >.Iary (Crane) Boggart, a na- 
ti\e of Indiana. The marriage took place at 
Covington, Indiana. By his first marriage 
there were seven children born, six of whom 
are now living, as follows : Sallie A., widow 
of Benjamin Coddington. residing in La- 
favette; William, a resident of OakwoocJ 
t(3wnship : David, deceased ; George, of 
Fithian, Illinois: Marie, wife of John Bales^ 
of Momence, Illinois ; James, of Washing- 
ton : and ]\Irs. Jackson Cromwell. 

After their marriage Mr. Cromwell and 



io6o 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



liis wife located on a farm tliree miles north 
of Fitliian. in Oakwood township. Here lie 
purchased eighty acres of land, having sold 
his first forty acres. Later he sold the eigh- 
ty-acre farm and jjurchased one hnndrcd and 
fifty-four acres which comprises his present 
farm, on section 28, \'ance township. He 
lias improved his farm until it is now one 
of the model farms of the township. He 
has a substantial and comfortable residence 
and good barns and his fields yield to him a 
good return for the labor bestowed upon 
them. He began life for himself when l)ut a 
boy, and by persistent efYort and strong de- 
termination he has won success. Although 
he has almost reached three score and ten, 
he is yet a hale and hearty man, and his in- 
teresting reminiscences of former days make 
a connecting link between the primitive past 
and the progressive present. 

The union of Mr. and JNIrs. Cromwell 
was blessed with four children who are now 
living. One died in infancy. John mar- 
ried Mary E. Long and resides three miles 
north of Fithian, Illinois. They have four 
living children and also lost three. ^larie 
became the wife of John Goings. After his 
<leath she married Edward T. Henderson 
and they reside in Fithian, Illinois. By the 
first union she has two children, and by the 
second marriage she has three children. 
Joshu;i first wedded Laura Firebaugh. by 
whom he had three children. After her 
death he married Fmma Underwood liy 
whom he has two children, and their home 
i.s northeast of Georgetown. Cora is the 
widow of Marcus "\'oeboe, resides in l-'ithian. 
Illinois, and has one daughter. 

I'raternally Mr. Cromwell is connected 
with th.e Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
belonging to Morning Star Lodge. Xo. 489, 
of iMlhian. Illinois. In |)olitics he is a Re- 
publican, but has always refused to accept 



otiice, i)referring to live the quiet and unas- 
suming life of a private citizen. Mr. Crom- 
well has ever been found ready to bear his 
share in the development of his community 
and he has the rcsi^eci and confidence of his 
fellow citizens. 



JOHX R. THOMPSON. 

Chicago — the city marvelous — is con- 
tinually attracting men of marked business 
ability, who find in its broad and varied 
fields of activity scope for their growing 
I)owcrs. The day of small undertakings, 
especially in cities, seems to have passed 
and the era of gigantic enterprises is upon 
us. In control of mammoth concerns are 
men of master minds, of almost limitless 
al)ility to guide, of sound judgment and 
keen discrimination. Their progressiveness 
must not only reach the bounds that others 
have gained, but must even pass beyond into 
new and broailer, untried fields of operation. 
Thus continually growing a business takes 
leadership in its special line autl the men 
who are at its head are deser\edly eminent 
in the Inisiness world, occupying a position 
that commands the respect while it excites 
the admiration of ;dl. 

Twelve years ago there came to Chicago 
a young man whose youth had been s])ent 
upon a farm. He was then but twenty-five 
years of age, w ith a capital of a few hundred 
dollars. He had determination, energy and 
moreover he p(,>ssessed the instincts of 
the ])ioueer — the m;m who can adapt 
himself to circumstances and shape op- 
portunities to his own end. Such was 
John k. Thompson when he arrived in 
the metropolis of the west, where to-day 
he is rated among the millionaires and 




/^ Crf7^ir7-1^i^.^d^^^l\^ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1063 



is recognized as a controlling force in 
business, political and social life. His birth 
occurred on his father's farm near Danville. 
Illinois, November 13, 1865, and he yet re- 
tains a deep interest in the county of his na- 
tivity and has many friends there who re- 
joice in iiis a(h-ancement. It is therefore 
meet that mention of one of her eminent 
sons should be made in this volume. 

At the usual age Air. Thompson entered 
the common country schools and until he 
was sixteen years of age he lived the life 
of the ordinary country boy, occupied with 
the duties of the fields through the stmimer 
months and continuing his studies in the 
winter seasons. During his last winter upon 
the farm, in connection with an older broth- 
er, he hauled logs with an ox-team. Not 
wishing to follow an agricultural life, how- 
ever, he went to Danville antl entered the 
Eastern Illinois College. His older brother 
was then in law school and as the father 
could not afford to send both of his sons to 
school John R. paid for his tuition by clerk- 
ing in the store of Charles H. Hacker on 
Saturdays antl caring for his emplover's 
horses during the week. For two years he 
remained a student in the Danville Normal 
school and after his graduation in the class 
of 1883, li^ obtained a teacher's certificate 
and for three years taught in the country 
schools. He also engaged in clerking for 
two years in Danville, but was gradually 
ad\'ancing and making for himself a record 
in the business world and his next step was 
to open a little general mercantile establish- 
ment of his own in the village of Fithian. 
He was likewi.se appointed postmaster at 
that place and continued to make his home 
there until the fall of 1891, when he came 
to Chicago. 

Since his arriA'al in this city his success 
in business has been uniform and rapid, and 



to-day there are few names more widely 
known in the business circles of Chicago 
than that of John R. Thompson. He first 
opened a small restaurant at No. 397 State 
street and from this nucleus has grown his 
present extensive business. The financial 
panic of 1893 followed, but he managed to 
so conduct his affairs that he weathered the 
storm and soon found favorable opportuni- 
ty for increasing his enterprise. In 1896- 
J-S he opened three new restaurants, and 
now in 1903 he has ten restaurants, advan- 
tageously situated in the down town dis- 
trict, where daily meals are furnished to 
thousands of people, and in return he re- 
ceives a splendid annual income. In addi- 
tion to his restaurants he has a wholesale 
house at No. 38 and 40 State street, occu- 
pying the entire four floors and Ijasement. 
This has a supply department from which 
he daily sends out supplies of every descrip- 
tion to his restaurants, including meats, gro- 
ceries, vegetables, sil\-er ware, linen and ta- 
l)le utensils. He also does a wholesale busi- 
ness in supplying other restaurants, hotels 
and dining cars. He likewise owns and op- 
erates his ice plant, and it will thus be seen* 
is managing a business of great magnitude. 
His employes now number five hundred. 
Such in brief is the history of his business 
career, but he who reads between the lines 
will ha\'e learned of the executive force, 
keen foresight, marked energy antl inde- 
fatigalile industry upon which his success 
is based. 

Before removing to Chicago Mr. 
Thompson was married, on the 5th of Au- 
gust, 1 89 1, to Miss Rose Holloway, of 
Georgetown, Illinois, a daughter of Captain 
G. W. Holloway. a pioneer resident of Ver- 
milion county, and they have two children — 
John R., Jr., and Ruth E. Theirs is a beau- 
tiful home at 4415 Grand Boulevard. Both 



1064 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



the house aiul barn are built of blue Bedfonl 
rock. There is an extensive lawn around 
tlie house, which in its furnishings is sup- 
I)lied with all that wealth can secure and re- 
iined taste suggest, while liowlings alleys, 
billard rooms and shooting gallery afford 
many pleasureable hours to the guests of 
the household. Mr. Thompson finds one of 
his chief sources nf recreation and pleasu'T 
in driving and is the owner of some of the 
finest specimens of the noble steed to be 
found in the country. He has a real love 
for his horses and in driving them over the 
speeilways of the city for the pleasure of 
testing their powers, he always prefers to 
handle the reins himself rather than to 
trust his horses to the care of a paid driver. 
Racing for pleasure upon the snow courses 
of Chicago has won him many notable vic- 
tories. He has reason to be very proud of 
his pacer \'an Duzen and of his horse Saul, 
who have won in many heats and are well 
known to all frequenters of the boulevard 
and park speedways of Chicago. Mr. 
Thompson is secretary and treasurer of the 
(ientlemen's Drixing Club and is a member 
of most all of the leading social clubs of the 
city, including the L'nion League, the Wash- 
ington I'ark, the Colonial, and the Wood- 
lawn F'ark Club. He is also a thirty-second 
degree Alason. belonging to Hesperia Lodge, 
St. Bernard Commandery and Oriental Con- 
sistory. He is a member of the board of di- 
rectors of the Christendom, a magazine ed- 
ited by Dr. Harper of the Chicago Univer- 
sity, and is deeply interested in many meas- 
ures for the welfare of the city, being a co- 
operant factor along various lines for the 
jiublic good. He holds decided opinion, 
which he expresses fearlessly but never ag- 
gressively. In T90J. associated with other 
prominent men. he took a firm stand in con- 
tinning the pul)Iic schools through a ten 



mnnths" term, and his inlluence is ever on 
the side of progress and upbuilding. A 
leailing Repulilican. his opinions carry 
weight in the C(^)uncils of his party in Chi- 
cago and in 190; he was prominently spoken 
of as the candidate for mayor, receiving the 
endorsement of his own ward and of many 
political and personal friends throughout 
the city. He has hnwe\-er ne\'er been a pol- 
itician in the usual sense of the term, nor 
has he sought office. His friends, knowing 
that his political record was clear and that 
his business ability was of the highest ortler, 
l)elie\ed that he would show the same capa- 
liiiity in managing the aft'airs of the city, 
but his aspirations were not in that direc- 
tion and he became a supporter of John M. 
Harlan. There arose during the campaign 
a movement wliich originated in a joke, but 
which became a potent element in the can- 
vass. Some prominent men met in a down 
town office and in a spirit of fun organized 
with fifteen members what they called the 
Strap-Hangers League. This came about 
through a discussion of the overcrowded 
condition of the street cars, necessitating 
standing in the aisles, hanging on to straps. 
■'A seat for ever\- straj) hanger — at least oc- 
casionally" was adopted as the platform of 
the league. To carry out the joke fifty thou- 
sand buttons were ordered, on which were 
the words : "Strap-Hangers League. More 
Seats. Harlan," and these were given to all 
who ajjplied. The original number was soon 
exhausted and fifty thousand more were 
ordered, and the "joke" became an influence 
in the politics of the campaign, the inHuence 
of which is incalculable, showing public 
feeling upon the question. 

'Sir. Thompson is yet a young man. with 
much of his history yet to be written, but 
he has already made for himself a place in 
the political, social and [)usiness world that 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1065 



entitles him to promience among the leading 
men of Chicago. \'ermilion county has rea- 
son to be proiul of this, her native son, and 
it is with pleasure we present his history to 
our readers. In manner he is genial and un- 
ostentatious and the accumulation of wealth 
has never affected his treatment of the less 
fortunate friends of his earlier years. 
Standing to-day at the head of one of the 
leading business enterprises of its kind in 
the country, exerting an influence in public 
affairs in Chicago of marked force, it is not 
difficult to prophesy that Mr. Thompson 
might attain to almost any position that he 
might desire, but his ambition seems to be 
in the line of business and he regards his 
other interests as side issues, without which 
no life can be well rounded, no charac- 
ter well balanced and yet they have never 
drawn his attention from the chief aim of 
his life. He has found that success is ambi- 
tion's answer. 

♦-•-• 

G. B. JOXES, D. \'. S. 

Dr. G. B. Jones, of Sidell, is the assistant 
state veterinary and during the past seven 
years he has practiced his profession in Ver- 
milion county with marked success. He 
started out in life a poor man without cap- 
ital, and the rounds of the ladder on which he 
has climbed have been determination, indus- 
try, close application and ability. He is a 
native son of Illinois, his birth having oc- 
curred near Paris, in Edgar county, Octo- 
ber 28, 186^. His father, Lewis Jones, was 
born and reared in Green county, Kentucky, 
his natal day being in September, 1834. 
Judge George Jones, the grandfather of our 
subject, was a native of Virginia, but be- 
came one of the early settlers of the Blue 
Grass state and served his countrv as a sol- 



dier in the Black Hawk war. Lewis Jones, 
the Doctor's father, was reared in Kentucky, 
and when a young man came to Illinois, 
settling on Big creek in Edgar county where 
he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza 
Shields, a daughter of the Hon. William 
Shields, a prominent and influential resident 
of that ctiunty who served for a number of 
years in the state legislature and left the deep 
impress of his individuality upon many of 
the laws enacted during that period. He was 
also a minister of the Baptist church and a 
man of marked influence whose labors 
proved of benefit to his fellow men along 
many lines of progress and improvement as 
well as of moral development. After his 
marriage Mr. Jones turned his attention to 
farming in Edgar county and to-day he owns 
and operates a valuable farm of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres there, which is well 
improved, being equipped with all modern 
accessories and conveniences. In connection 
with the culti\-ation of the fields he is also 
successfully engaged in stock-raising, and 
both branches of his business return to him 
a good income. In the family were twelve 
children, ten of whom reached mature years 
while nine are yet living, including four sons. 
The eldest son is Dr. \V. S. Jones, a medical 
practitioner residing in Redmon, Illinois. 
George B. is the second son of the family. 
Ira L. grew to mature years, married, and at 
his death left a widow and child. The 
younger sons of the Jones family were James 
and Frank. All of the children were well 
educated and three daughters and two sons 
were teach.ers at one time. 

Dr. G. B. Jones, of this review, entered 
the common schools at the age of six years, 
and after completing his preliminary course 
there, became a student in the Northern In- 
diana Xormal School at Valparaiso, Indiana, 
from which he was graduated with the class 



io66 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



of 1888. Later, lie engaged in teaching for 
several years, and for four terms was prin- 
cipal of the high school at Pleasant Hill. 
Illinois. In the practice of the profession 
lie met with success, imparting read.ily and 
clearly to others the knowledge he had ac- 
((liired. pro\'ing a competent educator. Later 
he took up the study of veterinarv- surgery. 
l)eing a student in Toronto. Canada, where 
is locatec' the most complete and best 
equipped school of the kind on the continent. 
He completed his course there in the spring 
of 1894. after which he came to Sidell, per- 
manentl)' locating here. He took up his 
rd)iKle among strangers and it was necessary 
for him to win public confidence as well as 
to establish his rejjutation for capability in 
his chosen field of endeavor. He not only 
liegan life for himself emptv-handed. but 
he was several hundred dollars in debt when 
he entered upon the practice of his present 
profession. He has, however, worked up 
an excellent business, extending for miles in 
everv direction, and in the spring of igoi he 
was appointetl assistant state \'eterinary. 
which is a life appointment and is conferred 
onl\- in recognition of superior merit and 
ability. By reading and investigation the 
Doctor has continually broadened his knowl- 
edge concerning veterinary surgery, and his 
efforts lia\-e been attended with a marked 
<legree of success. 

On the 6th of March. 1S95. '" Terrc 
Haute, Indiana, the Doctor was united in 
marriage to Miss Etta Mapes. whose birth 
occurred in Edgar county, Illinois. .\t an 
early age. however, she was left an orphan, 
and found a Imme in Terre Haute, Indiana, 
where she lived for a number of years. She 
is a daughter of Cyrus Mapes. who was an 
early settler of Edgar county, and there spent 
much of his life, dying during the early .girl- 
liood of ]\Irs. Jones, liy their iiKU'riage our 



subject and his w ife ha\e become the parents 
of t\Vo children. Howanl L.. Ixirn December 
I. 1897. and George C. born Xo\ember 11, 
1899. 

Socially the Doctor is connected with the 
Indeijendent Onler of Odd Fellows, having 
been made a member in Paris Lodge. In 
]xjlitics he is an earnest Democrat and cast 
his first presidential ballot for Grover Clev- 
land. In local elections, however, he votes 
iinlependently. He was elected and served 
for two terms as president of the board of 
aldermen and for two years was presidait of 
the school board, at the end of which time he 
resigned. He has frequently been a dele- 
gate to numerous congressional and ciuinty 
conventions and was elected a delegate to the 
state convention. He purchased ten acres 
of land adjoining the corporate limits of 
Sidell and built thereon a x'eterinarv li<is])ita! 
for the care of sick horses. He also has a 
residence lilock in the city and has a neat and 
attractive home. The Doctor is a man of 
strong mentality, firm purpose and marked 
enterprise — qualities" which have lieen essen- 
tial elements in winning him success. .As a 
citizen he is |)ublic-spirited, and local ad- 
vancement and natiiMial progress are both 
causes dear to his heart. He certainly de- 
serves great credit for what he has accom- 
])lislied, both in a financial and ])rofessional 
way. and aniong the representattixc men of 
X'ermilion ccmntv. he is numljered. 



THO^L\S PERRY. 



Thomas Perry, who is well known in 
X'ermilion county as a representatix^e of its 
agricultural interests, was liorn in Bedford- 
shire. England. I\Lay 30, 1832, a son of 

Thomas and Sarah Perry. When a young 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1067 



man of eighteen years lie emigrated to the 
United States with Abraham Mann. Sr., 
and worked for tliat gentleman for eight dol- 
lars per month through the succeeding six 
years. He afterward followed various oc- 
cupations, including brick-niaking and fann 
work, commanding higher wages as his effi- 
ciency increased with his growing" years. 
When he arrived in this county all was new 
and wild, much of the prairie being still un- 
settled, not a furrow having been turned up- 
on many an acre. He first assisted in break- 
ing the prairie and cutting down the forest 
trees, clearing" the land for cultivation. He 
first took up his abode near the present site 
of Rossville, although the town had not been 
established at that time. He was employed 
by others for about si.x years and then, in 
partnership with a I\Ir. Purser, he engaged 
in brick-making, carrying on that business 
for two years. He next purchased his pres- 
ent farm when it was covered with timber 
and hazel-brush. He cleared this, placing it 
under a high state of cultivation, and about 
18S7 he erected thereon a very substantial 
and attractive frame residence. Here he is 
living with his niece, Miss Sarah Perry, who 
is acting as his housekeeper. He had one 
brother, Joseph Perry, who was drafted near 
the close of the Civil war, but he had pro- 
ceeded no further than Spring-field when his 
death occurred. The father of our subject 
died in Vermilion county and both he and 
his son Henr}' were buried in the cemetery 
at Rossville. The mother afterward re- 
turned to England, where she died, leaving 
our subject the only survivor of the family. 
The year of his parents' emigration to this 
county was in the '50s. 

At one time Thomas Perry visited Cali- 
fornia for his health, and has twice visited 
England but returning he settled on his pres- 
ent homestead farm, on section 31, Newell 



township. He has made many rails used 
in fences here and has steadily worked his 
way upward in business, acquiring a com- 
petence through his own energy. He has 
used the single shovel plow and the single 
line harness. Many a time has he dropped 
com b_\- hand and bound wheat by hand. 
He can remember the times when goods 
were hauled from Attica, Covington and 
Perrysville, because there were no markets 
of any consequence in this portion of the 
state. Mr. Perry has seen and heard much 
of the pioneer life. He can remember the 
days when fires were made by striking flint 
and thus lighting tow, also when two or 
three people w<iuld ride on the back of one 
horse to church. He has been in the county 
for fifty years and has therefore lived to see 
it developed from primitive conditions to 
its present prosperity, has seen the wild lands 
transformed into splendid farms, while good 
homes have been liuilt and all the evidences 
of a modern ci\-ilization ha\-e been in- 
trotluced. 



VICTOR LESEURE. » 

For many vears a leading and influential 
business man of Danville, Victor Leseure 
contributed to the material upbuilding of the 
city and his influence was ever for good 
along other lines of progress and improve- 
ment. He took up his abode here in the 
year 185 1 and through thirty-one years he 
was identified with the city's growth and wel- 
fare. A native of Nancy, France, his birth 
occurred in 181 3. His parents were Pierre 
and .\nne ( Desiree) Leseure, both of whom 
were natives of France, where the father en- 
gaged in manufacturing. He resided in 
that country until 1833, when he brought 
his family to the new world, making a settle- 



£068 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ment near Covington. Kentucky, wliere lie 
lived for a nuniher of years. He then re- 
nio\eil to Clark county, Illinois, where he re- 
mained for several years, and on the expira- 
tion of that period he came to \'ermilion 
county, settling upon a farm south of Dan- 
ville, in Dan\ille township. There both he 
and his wife spent their remaining days. Of 
their children some died in France and Ed- 
ward is now the only one living. He resides 
in Danville and is represented elsewhere in 
this work. 

X'ictor l.eseure was about twenty years 
of age when he came to the new world with 
his i)arents. He liad acquired his education 
in the schools of his native country. Here 
he was married to Miss Caroline B. Mc- 
Donald, of \'ermilion county, who died in 
the year 1S72. Five children were 
Ixirn null I them: Catherine, now the wife 
of Charles T. Yoemans, of Danville; C. 
Frank, who married Jennie Sidell, of the 
same city, and is now deceased ; Louise, the 
wife of W, K. Palmer, of Xew Rochelle, 
New York: Minnette, the wife of Thomas 
Elliott, of Danville; and Caroline, who died 
in childhood. In 1879 ^"^I''- Lesuj-e was again 
married, his second union being with Mrs. 
Mary J. (Smith) McDonald, a sister-in-law 
of his first wife. She is a native of Vir- 
g'inia. rnul a daughter nf David and Susan 
(Hunsicker) Smith, who were also natives 
of the Old Dominion and became early set- 
tlers of Vermilion county. Indiana, taking 
up their abode u])iin a farm near Perrysville 
where they remained until called to their 
final rest. 

After coming to \'ermilion cnunty Mr. 
Leseure of this review established a dry- 
jjoods store in Danville and conducted a re- 
tail business for several years with success. 
He then became a partner in the Danville 
Gas Works, continuing in that business until 



his demise. He was a man of energy, keen 
foresight ant! reliability, and his sound judg- 
ment and perseverance enabled him to carry 
forward to successful completion whatever 
he undertook. He never sought or desired 
office, but was stanch Republican in politics 
and believed firml_\- in the ])rinciples of the 
party. He died .\ugust 9, 1882. and thus 
passed awav a business man of worth whose 
name had become a synonym for integrity 
and probity of character. Mrs. Leseure is 
a nieml)er of the Presbyterian church of 
Danxilie and the family is a prominent one 
in this city, its members occupying a very 
enviable position in social circles. ^Irs. 
Leseure now owns a nice home at X'o. 220 
North street and her property interest also 
includes a l.)usiness block on Main street. 



F. M. GUSTIX. 



F. M. Gustin. who is proprietor of a 
l)oarding" and livery stable in Danville, was 
born in Butler county. Ohio. August 22, 
1849, 3nd is a son of J. B. and Elizabeth 
(Dearth) Gustin, lioth of whom were na- 
tives of Ohio, the fatiier's Itirtli occurring in 
Warren county, that state. He died in 
.Miami county. Indiana, in 1884. while the 
mother is living in Peru, that state, with her 
children : William H.. Elbert Rush, and 
Edward C. The other member of tiie fami- 
ly and the eldest is Mr. Gustin of this review. 
The fourth child. Cassius O., who was also 
a resident of Peru, huliana, died December 
13, 1902. 

F. M. Gustin pursued his education in 
the district schools of Miami county. Indi- 
ana, to which place his ]:)arents removed dur- 
ing his early youth. He engaged in farm 
work upon the o\(\ family homestead and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1069 



after starting out in life on liis own account 
devoted his energies to the same pursuit, 
being a well known agriculturist of iNIiaini 
county for twenty-one years. He owned 
one hundred and eighty acres of rich land 
in Miami and Howard counties and its cul- 
tivation resulted in bringing to him rich har- 
vests. In 1889 he purchased a half interest 
in a livery barn here and in 1892 became sole 
proprietor. In 1900 he erected a new addi- 
tion to his barn. His lot has a frontage of 
seventy-four and a half feet. He removed 
to the city in 1891 and has resided here con- 
tinuously since. His home is at Xo. 15 
Franklin street and he also has property 
at No. 915 Vermilion street. 

Mr. Gustin was married in Peru, Indiana, 
in 1873, to Miss Alice C. Ausfahl. who was 
born in Miami county, Indiana, in 1852, a 
daughter of Joseph Ausfahl, a retired farm- 
er of Howard county, Indiana, now deceased, 
who was bom in Germany and came to 
America when thirteen years of age. He 
received an excellent education in his native 
land and took up the study of English in the 
United States, acquiring an excellent edu- 
cation. He settled in northern Ohio and 
about 1845 removed to Miami county. Indi- 
ana, where he turned his attention to farm- 
ing, becoming one of the large landowners 
of that part of the state. He was quue 
prominent in public affairs, was progressive 
and enterprising and his labors proved of 
value in promoting the general welfare. In 
his political support he was a stalwart Dem- 
ocrat, deeply interested in the success of hi? 
party. He died March 13. 1903, and he 
and his wife are both interred in the Paw 
Paw cemetery, Miami county. Indiana. Mrs. 
Gustin has three sisters and one brother, 
namely: Joseph R., Mrs. Addie Mattox-, 
Mrs. Emma Woodworth and Airs. Mary 
Main. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gustin have been 



born three children: Louis \'., who mar- 
ried Dorothy Hanna, is now connected with 
an undertaking firm of Chicago. Ralph E., 
who is engaged in a similar business, mar- 
ried Myrtle Clapp of Chicago, in which city 
they reside. Clarence M. is his father's as- 
sistant in business. 

In his political affiliations Mr. Gustin is 
a Republican and in 1880 he served as asses- 
sor of Richland township, Miami county, 
Indiana. In 1884 he was re-elected to that 
office, the first time in the history of the state 
that any one was ever chosen to that position 
for four years, the law just having been 
passed gi\'ing the assessors a four years' 
term. He belongs to the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, has filled all the chairs in 
the local lodge ; belongs to Marsh Encamp- 
ment ; to the Militant Rank, Canton No. 11, 
and to Mercy Lodge, No. ji. Order of Re- 
bekahs. His name is also on the membership 
roll of the Modern W^oodmen Camp, No. 
234: Protecti\e League, Xo. 147; Loyal 
American League, X'o. 144; and his wife is 
identified with the R(\val Neighbors, the 
Protective League and the Reljekahs. He 
also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and is a citizen who manifests a 
deep interest in everything pertaining to 
public progress and the general good. 



H. C. POWELL, M. D. 

Fortunate is the man who has back of 
him an ancestry honorable and distinguished 
and happy is he if his lines of life are cast 
in harmony therewith. In appearance, in 
talents and in character Dr. H. C. Powell 
is a worthy scion of his race. He comes of 
a family that, long established in America, 
has been prominent in aft'airs effecting the 



lO/O 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



welarc of the nation — a family noted, also. 
for intellectual strength, for keen research 
and investigation and in connection with the 
medical fraternity representatives of the 
name have done imjiortant work. 

Dr. r'liwell was horn in ^Montgomery 
county. Indiana, near Crawfordsville, June 
lo. 1840. and is a son of Hiram and .\nn 
(Kreylich) 1 'dwell. The Powells come of 
English ancestry. Oner R. Powell, the 
grandfather of our subject, was Ixirn May 
17. 1 77 1, amid the Saddleback Mountains 
of Orange countv. Virginia, and because of 
his great fleetness of foot he was chosen to 
act as a s])y during the Revolutionary war. 
One of the representatives of the name. 
Professor W. Byrd Powell. M. D. . has at- 
tained distinction as a prominent physician 
and is a writer upon topics of great interest 
to the medical science. In our subject's 
hljrary is a work from his pen called The 
Natural History of the Human Tempera- 
ments: their laws in relation to marriage 
and fatal consequences of their violation to 
progeny. Hiram Powell, the father of the 
Doctor, was born in Kenton county, Ken- 
tucky, in 1800, and after arriving at years of 
maturitv was marrie<l in that state to Ann 
•Kreylich. who was also born in Kentucky. 
Her father was a native of England, wln), 
on emigrating to .America, settled first in 
Orange county, Virginia. After his mar- 
riage in Kenton county. Kentucky, Hiram 
Powell turned his attention to farming and, 
remn\ing to Montgomery county, Indiana, 
he there carried on the same pursuit, yet 
liis attention was not given entirely to the 
work of tilling the soil. He was a man of 
excellent intellecturd endowments, a schol 
arly man and of broad reading. He practiced 
law successfully to some e.xtent, was a 
splendid mathematician and a successful 
educator. From 1828 until 1864 he remain- 



ed in Miintgomery county, Indiana, and then 
rcmu\ed to Boone county, where he was 
])rominent in public affairs, serving as presi- 
dent of the school board of Thomtown, 
Indiana, and also as city alderman. His 
labors in l)usiness life brought to him a 
comfortable competence so that in his later 
years he was enabled to live in retirement 
and yet enjoy all the comforts and many of 
the luxuries of life. A faithful member of 
the Odd Fellows society, he took a very deep 
interest in its work and held many of its 
offices, while in the Republican i)art_\- he was 
])olitically known as an earnest advocate of 
the i)rinciples in which he believed. He 
passed away in 1880, in the eightieth year 
of his age. and the mother of our subject died 
in 1833. The father was again married. 
By the first union there were eleven chiklren, 
eight of whom reached years of maturity, 
while those still living are Jacob, a resident 
of \\'aynetown, Indiana; Mary, the widow 
of J. T. Blackliurn and a resident of Dan- 
ville; Lucinda, the wife of H. Pottinger, of 
Danville: H. C. ; and Adaline, the widow of 
Talbin Fletcher and a resident of India- 
napolis. Milton B. served for three years in 
the Tenth Kentucky Infantry during the 
Ci\il war. holding the rank of corporal. 
He returned home in a crippled condition 
and finally succumbed to his injuries, dying 
at Thorntown, Indiana. 

Dr. Powell began his education in the 
subscription schools of Montgomerv county, 
ln<liana. and later attended the public 
scluiols and the Wesleyan Academy of his 
native ci}unty, where he was prepared for 
more advanced educational work. He then 
entered Bloomingdale College and subse- 
quently came to Illinois as a student in the 
State University at Champaign. Having 
determined to make the practice of medicine 
his life work, he matriculated in the Eclectic 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1071 



Medical Institute, in which he was graduated 
in January, 1874. after wliicli lie practiced 
for a short time in both Indiana and Ken- 
tucky, but in 1875 located in Danville, where 
he has since remained with the exception of 
six years spent in Paris, Illinois, and a short 
period in Thorntown, Indiana. Nature en- 
dowed him with strong intellectual force, 
which he has utilized in a careful preparation 
for his chosen calling. He is continually 
broadening his knowledge by research and 
investigation and his efforts have been of 
value in the community in which he has lived 
as a representative of the healing art. 

On the 22d of October, 1878, in Kenton 
county, Kentucky, Dr. Powell was married 
to Miss Rosa Rich, who was born in that 
county, a representative of one of the old 
families of the state. Her paternal grand- 
father died at the advanced age of eighty- 
nine years and his wife at the age of eighty- 
eight years. The parents of Mrs. Powell 
were Samuel and R. (Kreylich) Rich, both 
of wliom were natives of Kentucky, where 
they were reared, educated and married, and 
resided there until called to the home beyond. 
The father was a farmer by occupation, was 
a Republican in political belief, and a Baptist 
in religious faith. In 1852 he was called 
upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died 
leaving two daughters, Mrs. Powell and 
Catherine, the latter the wife of John 
Leathers, who is sheriff of Kenton county, 
Kentucky, residing in Covington. Mr. Rich 
married Miss Ashbrook, of Covington, and 
his death occurred in the year 1895. 

Dr. Powell is a firm believer in the 

principles of the Republican party, but has 

never been a politician in the sense of being 

an active worker as a seeker of political 

preferment. He was made a Mason at 

Waj'uetown, Indiana, and has since affiliated 

with the craft. He was a member of the 
44 



state board of health while residing in Paris, 
Illinois, and has ever made a close and care- 
ful study of his profession, having broad 
human sympathy and a love of scientific re- 
search without which a physician can never 
attain the highest success. For a number 
of years he has enjoyed a high reputation as 
a leading member of the profession in Dan- 
ville and a liberal patronage has been ac- 
corded him. 



FRED H. JOHNSON. 

Fred H. Johnson, a leading clothier of 
Westville, has been a resident of this county 
for six years and in that time he has built 
up a lucrative business, resulting in his in- 
dividual success and also promoting the 
general advancement of the town by con- 
tributing to its mercantile interests. Mr. 
Johnson was born in Quebec, Canada, May 
23, 1864, and is a son of Christopher and 
Minnie C. (Coulby) Johnson, the former 
born in Christiana, Norway, in 1835, while 
the mother's birth occurred in Quebec in 
1838. They became the parents of eight- 
children, of whom four died in infancy. 
Those still surviving are; William H., who 
is the proprietor of drug stores in Kennedy 
and Hallock, Alinnesota; Christopher J., 
Jr., who is connected with Dodson, Fisher 
& Company, who conduct a wholesale har- 
ness and saddlery business in Minneapolis, 
Minnesota; Fred H., of this review; and 
Hilda, who resides with her parents in 
Minneapolis, Minnesota. The parents of 
this family removed to Minneapolis from 
^lontreal, Canada, in November, 1884. The 
father has filled the office of consul for the 
Netherlands and vice-consul for Norway 
and Sweden. He is now acting in the 
capacity of traveling inspector for the 



1072 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Duliith Inspection Bureau, of Dulutli and 
Minneapolis, and resides in Minneapolis. 
Minnesota. 

At the age of iifteen. i-'rcd H. Johnson 
became a clerk for Hood, Mackenroe & 
Company, of Montreal, Canada, where he 
continued for two years and was then pro- 
moted to a ])osition a.s salesman on the road, 
becoming- the ^'oungest salesman traveling 
in their employ. He followed this occupa- 
tion for fi\e years, when the firm with whom 
he was employed went out of business and 
Johnson therefore went to Minneapolis, 
there entering the employ of the Palace 
Clothiers. With this firm he remained for 
a i)eriod of two and one-half years. He then 
went to Chicage, accepting a position with 
Joseph Pels Company, in the capacit\- of 
traveling salesman. He continued in this 
position fur about two years, when he made 
the acquaintance of Mr. Cline. of Danville. 
Illinois, who was anxious to secure the 
services of another French salesman who 
could also s!>eak good English and Dutch. 
These qualifications Mr. Johnson possesseil 
and he entered into an agreement with ^Iv. 
Cline which he continued for four years. 
He then decided that Westville offered good 
business opportunities where a wideawake. 
ambitious and enterprising business man 
could open an up-to-date establishment in 
the clothing line with good success. He re- 
signed his position with Mr. Cline and soon 
afterward established a business of his own 
in the Odd Fellows Building in Westville. 
fitting it up with a large and complete line 
of clothing and gent's furnishing goods. 
Here he conducted his business successfully 
for some time, but he is now located in more 
commodious quarters on North State street. 
He enjoys a liberal patronage, because his 
goods are neat, stylish and well and durabl}' 
made. He is a pojiular merchant, as he 



al\va}s desires to please his customers and 
treat them with, strict fairness and honesty. 

On January 12. 1S95. ^^^'- Johnson was 
united in marriage to Miss Xellie !■'. Shane, 
a daughter of George and .Mary ( Sheffer) 
Shane, the father born in Switzerland in 
1836 and the mother born in Alsace Loraine. 
Germany, in 1S33. This couple came to 
America in irS^o and located first in Roches- 
ter. Xew \'ork, where he was engaged in the 
lumber business. On the breaking out of 
the Civil war he enlisted in the Ninth Heavy 
Artillery ;uid served throughout the war. 
Three of his brothers and two sons also 
enlisted at the same time and also served 
throughout the war. thus nobly defending 
the cause of the Union at the time when its 
preservation was threatened. Only nine 
men of Mr. Shane's company returned. 
After the war was ended Mr. Shane with 
his famil\- removed to Kalamazoo. Michi- 
gan, where he engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness and is now living a retired life, honored 
and respected bv all with whom he is associ- 
ated in the relations of life. He and his 
wife were the parents of thirteen children, 
si.\ of whom have gone to the home beyond, 
while seven survive as follows: George, Will 
John and Leo, all residents of Kalamazoo, 
Michigan: Lewis, a policeman of Chicago; 
Ed. of L}-ons. New York, where he is 
engaged in farming, stock-raising anti fruit 
growing-; and Mrs. Johnson. 

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are both acti\'e 
members of the Catholic church. Mrs. 
Johnson having charge of the Sunday- 
school with an attendance of about two hun- 
dred and si.Kty children. When she first 
came to Westville there was no Sunday- 
school and in a short time by making a 
canvass she secured an attendance at first 
of si.xtv, who met at her home, Imt the num- 
ber grew \-erv rapidK- and they were obligetl 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1073 



to hold the Sunday-school in the basement of 
the church. Mrs. Johnson also has charge 
of attending- to the altar. She and her 
husband are earnest Christians and do all 
in their power to promote the cause of the 
church. In his political affiliations Mr. 
Johnson is a stanch Repulilican, but has 
ne\-er sought or desired office, preferring to 
devote his attention to his business affairs. 
Fraternally he is a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of W'estville, 
to the Foresters, of Toronto, Canada, and to 
the Modern Woodmen of America, of W'est- 
ville. He and his wife are numbered among 
the leading and influential residents of West- 
ville. where they are valued for their excel- 
lent traits of character and their genuine 
worth. 



T. A. COX. 



J. A. Cox is a progressive and enter 
prising merchant of Fairmount, Illinois, 
and is one of Indiana's native sons, his birth 
having- occurred in Parke county, that state, 
December iS, 1851. He is a son of Alfred 
and Elizabeth (Hocket) Cox, the former 
a native of Indiana and the latter of North 
Carolina. His mother came to Indiana 
when two years of age and was there reared 
and married. The father engaged in farm- 
ing and \\as also a carpenter and contractor. 
After their marriage the}- located in Parke 
county, Indiana, and in 1875 remo\-ed 
froni there to X'ermilion county, Illinois, 
where they are now living. Mr. Cox being 
retired from acti\-e life. He is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church and in 
politics is a Republican. The Cox family 
are of English extraction, while the mater- 
nal ancestors were of Scotch lineage. All 
were Quakers, and Allen Cox, the grand- 



father of our subject, was an elder of the 
Quaker church. 

J. A. Cox was one of a family of five 
children, three girls and two boys, three 
of whi-)m are now li\-ing, the subject of 
this re\-iew being the eldest. Jennie re- 
sides with her parents and C. W. is engaged 
in business in B'airmount. Mr. Cox at- 
tended school at Annapolis, Indiana. The 
family then removed to Fountain county, 
that state, and there he continued, his studies. 
On the remo\-al of his parents to Vermilion 
county, Illinois, he accompanied them and 
later engaged in farming for two years, 
after which he began clerking for S. W. 
Cox, at Fairmount, in whose emplov he 
remained for two years. He then worked 
for Charles Tilton, on a salary, later having 
a one-third interest in the business, and in 
189 1 he and his brother purchased the in- 
terest of Mr. Tilton. In August, 1900, 
Mr. Cox becanie sole owner of the business, 
buyii-ig out his brother's interest, and he 
is now conducting it alone. He has a 
doul.>le deiiartment store. He carries a 
large stock of well selected goods and re- 
ceives a liberal iiatronage on account of rtie 
grade of goods carried and the fair dealing 
of the owner. 

On the 27th of January, 1880. at Fair- 
moui-it. Illinois, Mr. Cox was united in mar- 
riage to Sarah Bradway, who was born in 
Georgetown, Illinois, December 8. 1856. 
She \\-as a daughter of James and Elizabeth 
Bradway, both natives of Xew Jersey. 
They were married in that state and came 
west, settling in Georgetown, Illinois. The 
father died in 1876 and the mother ii-i 
August, 1900. They were members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church and in politics 
he was a Kepublican. ]\Ir. Cox's first wife 
was a men-iber of a family of five children, 
three of whom are now living: Dr. C. F., 



I074 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



of Abingdon. Illimjis: James, of Poplar 
Bluff. Missouri: and Alice, the wife of Dr. 
O. F. Odbert, of indianola. Illinois. Mrs. 
Cox died at San .\ntonio. Texas, April 17, 

1899. She was the mother of five children : 
Ethel E., Edna M.. Frank A.. Sarah Hazel 
and Gordon D.. who is now attending school 
at Fairmount. 

At Indianapolis, Indiana, February 14, 

1900, Mr. Cox was again married, his 
second iinion being with Xettie B. Green, 
who was born in Rising Sun. Indiana. 
No\-eml)cr ri. 1859. She was a daughter 
of Benjamin and Jane ( Garrett) Green, 
who were married and resided in Indiana. 
The father died at Zionsville. that state, in 
1892. The niiithcr and family then re- 
moved to Indianapi)lis. where the mother 
died in January, looi. Mr. Green was a 
member of the Christian churcli. was con- 
nected fraternally with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and in politics was a 
Republican. In his family were five chil- 
dren, three i:if wIkhu are ni i\v living: Xettie 
B., now Mrs. Cox: .\nnie, of Indianapolis; 
and Charles, of Oxford, Indiana. 

Mr. Cox is a memlxr of the Methodist 
Episco])rd church, being- one (if the trustees. 
also recording steward, which positions he 
has filled for many years. He is a member 
of I'airmount Lodge, Xo. 590, A. F. & A. 
M. ; Damascus Lodge, Xo. 84. K. P. : the 
Knights of the Globe: the ^^lotlern Wood- 
men of America : and the Ben Hur Lodge. 
In ])nlitics he is a stanch Republican and 
has held all the township offices. He was 
supervisor for four years, township clerk 
for se\en years and for a number of years 
was an alderman in I'airniount. I'or over 
a (|uarter of a century he has Ix^en identified 
with the interests of Fairmount and he is 
to-da\- one of its most highly respected 
citizens. In the mercantile Imsiness he has 



met with success and has incidentallv con- 
tributed to the development and prosperity 
of the citv. 



JAMES JUVIXALL. 

James Juvinall is one of the native sons 
of \'ermilion county, who through many 
years has been a witness of progress and 
improvement here. He was born in Pilot 
township in 1835, a son of Andrew and 
Mary (James) Ju\inall. who were born, 
reared and married in Ohio. In 1827 they 
emigrated westward to Vermilion county, 
traveling in a prairie schooner, a big covered 
wagon in which the family and the house- 
hold goods were carried. .Vndrew Ju\-inall 
became well known in this portion of the 
state. He went with breaking teams for 
three successive years to \\^isconsin and 
after breaking prairie through the summer 
months would return home in the fall. He 
was thus identified with the growth and 
pioneer development of that state as well 
■as of Illinois. Although he came to this 
county empty handed he was in comfortable 
circumstances at the time of his death. By 
his marriage to Alar)- James were born 
se\en children, the eldest being the subject 
of this review-. The others are: Austin, 
Mrs. D. M, W'ynian. and Andrew. Those 
who have passed away are: John. Amy and 
David, all of whom reached mature vears, 
were married and reared families of their 
own. 

James Ju\inall. whose name introduces 
this record, obtained his education in a sub- 
scription school which con\ened in a log 
building, supplied with slab I)encbes and an 
immense fire place. There was a long writ- 
ing desk made by laying a plank upon wood- 
en pins drixen into the wall. Liglit was ad- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1075 



mitted into the room through greased paper 
\\'hich co\'ered an aperture made by remov- 
ing one of the logs from the side of the build- 
ing. Mr. Juvinall remembers how the In- 
dians held meetings at the foot of the hill 
upon which they lived. His father had en- 
tered land from the government at one dollar 
and twenty-live cents per acre. He felled 
the forest trees and broke the prairie. Our 
subject also assisted in breaking prairie until 
he reached his twenty-third year. There 
were many prairie wolves in the county in 
these early days and they would often come 
into the very door-yard of the pioneer homes 
and their howling would scare the dogs 
away. Mr. Juvinall frequently set traps to 
catch these wolves. Deer roamed over the 
prairies while turkeys and other -game were 
very plentiful, furnishing many a meal for 
the early settlers. Mr. Juvinall's father aided 
in hauling the first goods from the boat to 
the first plank store erected in Chicago. He 
forded rivers with his ox teams and oftei 
journeyed to Chicago, when that was the 
trading point for the early settlers. Danville 
at that time being but a village and furnish- 
ing little opportunities for trade. Upon the 
home farm James Ju\'ina,ll spent the days of 
his boyhood and youth and assistetd in its 
cultivation and development. He was mar- 
ried March 6. 1858, to Eliza J. Abbott, 
whose birth occurred in Ohio, November 22, 
1839, a daughter of James and Nancy (Og- 
den) Abbott, who became pioneer settlers of 
Vermilion county. Ten children were born 
unto our subject and his w'lie of whom six 
are li\'ing : Henry, who married Esther 
Conley of this county: Mrs. J. H. Smalley, 
of Danville: Ed, who wedded Mattie Good- 
win, a daughter of John Goodwin of Vermil- 
ion county: D. M.. who married Helen 
Goodwin, a sister of his brother's wife: Mrs. 
Robert Rodgers. of Collison, Illinois ; and 



Mrs. Maude Smith of Jamesburg. The de- 
ceased are : ^Matthew. Andrew and ]\Iary 
Belle, all of v.hom died in childhood. 

Mr. Juvinall began farming with one 
hundred and thirty acres of land h\ Pilot 
township and later he purchased one hun- 
dred and twenty acres in Blount township. 
He has owned about three hundred acres at 
one time but has met some reverses in life. 
Renting his farm in Blount township he re- 
moved to Danville about 1892 and there 
formed partnership in the implement busi- 
ness which he conducted for a few years. 
Later he took up his abode in Denmark, 
where he resided for a year and then pur- 
chased his present home in Blount township, 
where he is now living retired. The history 
of pioneer life in \'ermilion county is fa- 
miliar til him. He can relate many 
interesting incidents concerning the early 
days anrl the customs of the settlers. 
It seems hardly possible to realize now 
that within his memory the old flint and 
tow were used in building fires and if these 
materials were not to be had they would go 
to a neighbors and borrow fire, for matches 
had not then been placed upon the market. 
Mr. Juvinall at one time knew nearly every 
one living upon the main road between Dan- 
ville and Chicago outside the villages. He 
has often plowed with a wooden mold board 
and cut grain with a sickle, planted corn by 
hand and bound his wheat by hand, but as 
the years have progressed he has kept abreast 
with modern progress and improvement. 
Driving an ox team in an early day he fre- 
cjuently visited Chicago with a load of ap- 
ples and returned with provisions, camping 
along the \\-ayside at night — such a trip 
often required ten days. He has sold corn 
at eight cents per bushel in the market of 
Danville. No man has taken a deeper in- 
terest in progress and improvement and his 



1076 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



efforts have been beneficial in behalf of the 
general good along many lines. He has 
long l)een active in missionary work and for 
forty years he has served as a class leader in 
the Methodist church of which he is a de- 
voted and consistent member. 



lAMKS 1).\\"1S()X. 



James Da\ison is one of Hoopeston's 
liighly respected citizens, whose useful and 
well spent life has not only gained for him 
the confidence of his fellow men but has also 
secured for him a comfortable com])etcnce 
which enables him to lav aside all lousiness 
cares and spend his dec^lining days in ease 
and retirement. 

.-\ nati\'e of renns}l\ania. .\ir. Davison 
was born in Pittslnu'g, Allegheny county, 
March 10. 1S15, and is a son of John and 
Elizabeth (Cunningham) Davison, in whose 
family were foiu' children, our subject being 
the youngest of the family and only one now 
lix'ing. He was only six months old at the 
death of his father. He was a native of 
Ireland and the mother was born in .\lle- 
gheny county. Pennsylvania, of Irish parent- 
age. After the death of her first husband 
she married a Mr. Love and both are now 
deceased. 

When about six years of age Mr. Davi- 
son went to live with an uncle in the coun- 
try and remained \A'ith him until he was 
seventeen, his education being acquired in 
the district schools of the neighborhood. 
He then returned to Pittsburg, where he 
learned the carpenter's trade and attended 
night school, and on leaving there in 1841 
lie went to Cincinnti, where he continued to 
work at his trade for about sixteen years. 
On the expiration of that period he removed 
to Ann Arlior. Michisfan. that his chil<lren 



might attend the State University there, five 
of them being students in that institution. 
During the five years of his residence there 
.Mr. Da\'ison was associated with another 
gentleman in the manufacture of fulling 
soap. The following three years were spent 
in L'tica, Ohio, and in 1881 he came to 
Hoopeston, Illinois, and purchased a ten 
acre tract of land just east of the corpora- 
tion limits, which he later platted, half of the 
amount being laid out in town lots. Twenty- 
four of these he has since sold and still owns 
three and a half acres, on which is a nice 
home, orchard and grove. During his resi- 
dence here he has lived in honoralile retire- 
ment from business cares and now li\es with 
his son-in-law. T. G. .\dams. who owns the 
old home place. 

At Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1844, Mr. l)a\i- 
son was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
Crary, a native of that city, who died on 
the 26th of August, 1893, leaving six chil- 
dren, all of whom were married with the ex- 
ception of George M.. an Episcopal minister 
of Xew Orleans. The eldest. James Ed- 
ward, is now deceased, having died at the 
age of fifty-two years. Although (|uite 
young during the Civil war he entered the 
one hundred dav service as a private and 
.served the term of his enlistment. He was 
afterward engaged in the practice of medi- 
cine in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The other 
members of the family are: C. Francis, 
who is engaged in business at Bluffton, In- 
diana, as a shipper of hay and grain ; Del- 
liert L., who is a graduate of the Chicago 
Law school and is now engaged in farming at 
Rolla, ^Missouri ; Elizabeth, wife of E. T. 
Hastings, a shoe dealer of Fort Recovery. 
Ohio: and Ida Florence, wife of T. G. 
\dams. a lumber dealer of Hoopeston. ^Ir. 
Davison also has twelve grandchildren and 
four great-grandchildren. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1077 



In i8g8 he \Msited Pittsburg, and again 
in 1902, he -spent two months in the east 
where his boyhood and youth were passed. 
He has been an acti\'e and earnest member 
of the United Presbyterian churcii since 
1844 and served as an elder for nearly forty 
years. His wife was also connected with 
tiie same church and was a most estimable 
lady. His life has been manly, his actions 
sincere and his example is well worthy of 
emulation. 



^IRS. AlARY J. BLAIR. 

Airs. Mary J- Blair, who is now residing 
in Dan\-ille, is the widow of William G. 
Blair, who belonged to one of the early fami- 
lies of \'ermilion county. He was a native 
of Xewell township, born on the 24th of 
December, 1855. His parents were Joseph- 
us and Juda ( Clapp ) Blair, the former a 
native of Vermilion county, Illinois, and the 
latter of North Carolina. The grandfather 
of Mr. Blair removed to this county at a 
\-ery early epoch in its development, settling 
in Newell township when tiie work of pro- 
gress and improvement seemed scarcely be- 
gini in this part of the state. There he en- 
gaged in farming, also devoting a part of 
his time to surveying. Josephus Blair was 
a farmer by occupation and estaljlished his 
h(_ime in Xewell township, where he engaged 
in the tilling of the soil for many years, be- 
ing recognized as a leading agriculturist of 
his community. He died upon the old home- 
stead farm and his wife in Blount township. 

William G. Blair acquired a common 
school education in Xewell township and 
was early trained to habits of industry and 
economy upon his father's farm, thus gain- 
ing practical e.xperience in a work which he 
followed throughout his own business career. 



He was married in his native township to 
Miss Mary J. McMillin, whose birth oc- 
curred in the same township, February 26, 
1853, her parents being Harvey and Cathe- 
rine (Guthrie) McMillin, both of whom 
were natives of Ohio, but came to Illinois in 
1827. They settled in Xewell township, Ver- 
milion county, casting in their lot with its 
early pioneers when much of the land was 
still in the possession of the government, 
when the Indians were yet frequent visitors 
of the neighborhood and when deer and 
other kinds of wild game abounded. They 
went through all the experiences and hard- 
ships of pioneer life and assisted in the pri- 
mitive development of the county. Mr. Mc- 
Millen devoted his energies to agricultural 
pursuits and developed a farm upon which 
he and his wife remained until called to the 
home beyond. The marriage of Mr. and 
Mrs Blair was blessed with two children, 
Homer H. and Ora M., both of whom are 
with their mother. 

After their marriage Mr. Blair began 
farming upon the old homestead in Xewell 
township, where he remained for several 
years. He then removed to a farm in Blount 
township, where he continued the cultivation 
of the soil until his life's labors were 
ended in death. He placed his land in a rich 
and arable condition and added to his place 
modern improvements and substantial and 
convenient equipments. He was for thir- 
teen years school treasurer and for four 
years he served as tax collector in Blount 
township, discharging his duties with 
marked fidelity and promptness. In his po- 
litical views he was an earnest Repuljlican. 

Since the death of her husband Mrs. 
Blair has removed to Danville and purchased 
property where she now resides at Xo. 1502 
Xorth \'ermilic:)n street. She also owns a 
farm of one hundred and five acres in Blount 



1078 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



townsliip wliicli slie rents, and a tract of 
forty acres in Newell township. She is a 
memher of the Methodist Episcopal church 
of Dan\ille and a lady whose many excellent 
traits of heart and mind ha\e endeareil her 
to a large circle of friends. 



NEVILLE A. COLLINS. 

Amf)ng' the progressive and enterprising 
yoimg business man of \'emiilion county is 
Ne\-ille A. Collins who is now conducting 
the Eulton meat market in Danville. He 
was horn in Elk Grove, Kansas, near Inde- 
pendence, May 12, 1.871. His grandparents 
were George W. and Jane (Todd) Collins, 
both natives of ^Maryland, in which state 
they were reared and married. They be- 
came the parents of nine children, of whom 
six are yet living, as follows: Henry T., 
ofCatlin; William F., of Oklahoma; John 
W.. of Potomac. Illinois; Mrs. J. C. Selby, 
of Catlin; Mrs. I. B. Pulliam, whose 
husband is a ]\Iethodist minister of Chanute. 
Kansas: and George E., of Catlin. It was 
in the '50s tliat the grandfather of our sub- 
ject came to Vermilion county settling two 
and one-lialf miles northeast of Eairmount 
on a farm amid pinncer surroundings. He 
engaged in general mercantile ]3ursuits deal- 
ing quite largely in stock and feeding and 
shi])ping on a scale that brought to him a 
good financial return. 

Plenry T. Collins, the father of our sub- 
ject, acquired his education in the primitive 
schools of Indiana and in Depauw I'nivers- 
ity of Greencastle, Indiana. He was ambi- 
tious to advance and his earnest labor and 
sterling jnirpose were the foundation upon 
which he buildcd his success. He fnlldwed 
various occujiations in order to olitain his 



college education and thus showed forth the 
elemental strength of his character. After 
a seven years' course he was graduatetl as a 
minister of the gospel with high honors, in 
i88r. His first charge was on the Tuscola 
circuit. He preached continuously at vari- 
ous points from 1881 until 1900 when, be- 
cause of failing health, he was obliged to 
retire and is now on the supernumerary list. 
He w'as married in \'ance township, Vcr- 
milioiV county, Illinois, to Miss ]\Iary E. 
Neville, a native of Virginia and a daughter 
of G. N. and Mary S. (Throckmorton) 
Neville, of West \'irginia. Mrs. Collins 
was l)orn in that state and by her marriage 
became the mother of but one child. Xe\iile 
A., of this review. 

Our subject obtained his early education 
in the common schools of Illinois and com- 
pleted his course of study in the college at 
Carlinville, this state. He then entered the 
employ of the Jacksonville & St. Louis Rail- 
road Company under E.W'. Clifford, who was 
general agent, and began learning telegra- 
phy as well as the other business connected 
with the management of the railroad office. 
In seven months he was given a night posi- 
tion at \^irden, Illinois, as telegraph oper- 
ator and served continuously in that capacity 
in this state for five years. He then entered 
the employ of the Northern Pacific Rail- 
road Company and spent four years in the 
northwest at different points in Montana 
and on the Pacific coast. He continued 
business as a telegraph operator until 1894. 
when he went to Perkins county, in south- 
western Nebraska, and there became con- 
nected with ranch life. He took into the 
county the first bunch of cattle that was ever 
wintered there on buffalo grass. For seven 
years he lived the life of a cowboy, being 
thus engaged until i()Oi, when he sold liis 
stock at pul)lic sale and with the good sum 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1079 



of money which he Iiad won througli his 
labors here and with the excellent knowl- 
edge of the good points of stock obtained 
through his efforts as a ranchman, lie came 
to Vermilion count}' arriving on the 9th of 
July, 1901. He removed his family to Cat- 
lin and there opened an excellent meat mar- 
ket which he conducted until 1903, when he 
purchased the Fulton market in Danville, 
where he now makes his home. He was 
also engaged in buying and dealing in live- 
stock. In his new enterprises he prospered 
to a \ery gratifying degree and extended the 
field of his labors by purchasing another 
meat market in Fairmount which he sold on 
his removal to Danville. 

One of the pleasant events of Mr. Col- 
lins' sojourn in the west was his marriage on 
the 6th of September, 1892, to Miss Olive 
M. Leney, who was born in Ogden, Illinois, 
April 22. 1873, and is the seventh in a fami- 
ly of ten children whose parents were John 
W. and Margaret (Poage) Leney, the form- 
er a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and the 
latter of Champaign county, Illinois. Mrs. 
Collins was educated in Champaign Uni- 
versity which- she left during her senior year. 
She is an accomplished elocutionist and mu- 
sician and her reputation as a reader extends 
beyond the county in which she makes her 
home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Collins have 
been born four children: Paul, Esther M., 
Jewel McCabe and Olive M. The last 
named died in infancy. The others are 
aged nine, seven, and five years, respectively. 
Our subject and his wife hold membership 
in the Methodist church, and Mrs. Collins 
takes a very active interest in the work of 
the cimrch and is a woman who is greatly 
valued because of her many good deeds and 
her kindness of heart. She presides with 
gracious hospitality over a pleasant home 
and her abilitv as a musician and reader 



make her a fa\-orite in social circles. Mr. 
Collins is well known as a member of the 
INIodern Woodmen Camp, at Catlin, and in 
politics he is a Republican. In addition to 
his two places of business he owned his 
residence ])roperty in the northeastern part 
of Catlin. Althoug^h a young man he has 
accomplished much in his business career, 
being quick to note opportunity and to utilize 
it. He is always discriminating in judg- 
ment and he carries forward to successful 
completion whatever he undertakes. 



AMBROSE B. JUDY. 

Fifty-one years have come and gone 
since Ambrose B. Judy took up his abode in 
Vermilion county and through all this long 
period he lias not only been an eye-witness 
of the development and improvement here 
but has assisted in advancing many measures 
for the genera! good. A farm of six hun- 
dred acres of valuable land is proof that his 
life has been an industrious and enteq^rising 
one. His valuable farming interests are lo- 
cated in Middlefork township, his home be- 
ing on section 21. 

A native of \*irginia Mr. Judy was born 
in Hardy county, July 31, 1842, and is of 
Swiss descent, tracing his ancestry back to 
Martin Judy, who came from Basel, Switzer- 
land, The family name was evidently 
changed after coming to this country as on 
investigation it has been found that there 
are no Swiss of that name in the cantons of 
Basel and Zirch, and the name is undoubted- 
Iv deri\-ed from the Swiss Tschudi of Tschu- 
dy, which are dift'erent spelling's of the same 
name. It is believed that the people in 
Basel who spell their name Tschudi are de- 
scended from the same stock as the Glarus 



loSo 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



TsclnuHs, tliere being' a close similarity in 
tlie Clirislian names in each section and also 
in America. A genealogical record ])ub- 
lislied in 1854 traces several branches of the 
Glarus Tschudi to Basel, where many of 
their descendants are still living. The fam- 
ily is of great antiquity and according to this 
genealogy the descent is traced back to John 
or Johann Schndi or Tschudi. who was 
knighted by f.udwig 111 in the year 906. He 
was at that time mayor or governor of the 
little canton of Glarus. which office contin- 
ued to be held in unbroken succession bv the 
family until 1256. After the canton gained 
its political freedom and its chief magistracy 
became elective, a Tschudi was often chosen 
to this office. The family played an im- 
])ortant part when Swiss freedom was won, 
its members being particularly active and 
influential on the side of freedom. During 
the Reformation they were divided, some 
going over to the Protestants, while others 
remained Catholics. In a worldly way the 
Catholic branch seemed to posper more than 
the other. In Sjiain, Italy, Austria and 
I'rance there are branches which attained to 
considerable eminence, some being members 
of the lesser nol)ility in their respective coun- 
tries.. During the many years of its ex- 
istence in Switzerland the family spread 
throughout the various cantons and some of 
its niemliers attained to considerable promi- 
nence. At various times when Switzerland 
was furnishing soldiers to other European 
countries, many Tscbudis took service in 
these foreign armies and in some cases they 
arose to high if not the highest rank as 
generals. The family also attained distinc- 
tion in the fiekl of letters as well as of arms. 
Aegitlius or Giles Tschudi in the si.xteenth 
centurv wrote the Chronicles of Switzerland, 
which work is of so great a value that it has 
won for him the title of "l-'athcr of Swiss 



History." In 1838 John Jacob Tschudi 
started with his ship on a voyage of scien- 
tific exploration, intending to go around 
the world, hut the vessel was wrecked on 
the coast of Peru, and he remained quite 
awhile there, writing a book of nuich value 
on its natural history. "Animal Life in the 
Alps" is a much prized book which was 
written by another member of the family, 
Friedrich Tschudi. The catalogue of the 
library of Cdarus contains entries under 
the names of eighteen different members 
of the familv and in the same library may 
lie found the manuscripts of many un- 
published books and sketches which were 
written by Aegidus or other Tscbudis. One 
of these is a three volume history of the 
Tschudi family from 900 to 1501. Many 
of the Tscbudis have been clergymen, some 
ranking well in the Catholic hierarchy and 
others distinguishing themselves as Protest- 
ant pastors. Among the latter was X'alen- 
tine Tschudi, at whose ordination the re- 
former Swingle preached the sermon, which 
is sometimes accounted the beginning of the 
reformation in Switzerland. Others of the 
name made places for themselves outside of 
Switzerland, one being \ice ruler of Sicily 
for a short time; another a general at Na- 
ples, who suffered severe imprisonment under 
Napoleon rather than betray his trust ; yet 
another a celebrated manufacturer of haqj- 
sichords, who in the eighteenth century sup- 
plietl royal mansions with nuisical instru- 
ments from his London shops: and one who 
was for some time secretary of the Academy 
of Science at St. I'eterburg. Whether the 
meiubers of the family are found in the high 
or low walks of life there are certain charac- 
teristics which appear fre(iuently enough to 
constitute a type. Pre-eminent among these 
are kindliness antl service to others; gentle- 
ness in the home; fidelity to principles; a 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1081 



teiulency to religion : fair-miiule<lness in 
judgment; a gift for peace making; and as 
a rule, alertness and breadth of view. The 
family since coming to America has held 
an liDnoraljle if not a foremost place among 
the plain people. Its members as a rule have 
been well-to-do farmers, with an occasional 
merchant or tradesman, and there have also 
been a few teachers, lawyers, clergymen and 
officers of lower rank in the army. The 
American Judys are generally sober, honest, 
industrious, kind-hearted, peaceal)le and re- 
ligious, and are also strikingly free from in- 
sanity, consumption, etc. 

Martin Judy came to this country from 
Basel, Switzerland, landing in Philadelphia 
in 1769 and settled on the south branch of 
the Potomac river in ^"irginia. In his fami- 
ly were ten children who reached maturity, 
namely ; Martin, John, Jacob, Samuel, 
^^'inepark, David, Henry, Elizabeth, Katha- 
rine and Xancy. ]\Iost of these removed 
from \'irginia to Kentucky, but the branch to 
which Ambrose B. Judx- belongs remained 
in the Old Dominion. 

Nicholas Judy, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born, reared and educated in Hardy 
county, Virginia, and when he had arrived 
at years of matm'ity lie wedded IMary .A. 
Skidmore, uho \vas also a native of that 
state and a daugher of Andrew Skidmore, 
another pioneer settler of the Old Dominion. 
Nicholas Judy followed farming in the coun- 
ty of his nativity for man}- years after his 
marriage. .-Vll of his seventeen children 
were born there and all but four of this num- 
ber grew to mature years. In 185 1 the 
father came west to Illinois, driving across 
the country with teams. He purchased land 
in IMiddlefi'Jrk township. A'ermilion county, 
owning nearly three hundred acres of lantl 
which he cultivated until his death in 185.V 
His wife survived him for more than four 



decades, passing away in this county in 
1897, at the ripe old age of more than ninety- 
one years. They had ten sons and 
four daughters who reached years of maturi- 
ty' ■ Jehu, of Iroquois countv, Illinois; An- 
drew, who came to Illinois about 1848 and 
died in 1830; Isaac, of Vermilion county; 
William, who is living a retired life in 
Potomac; Gabriel, a farmer of Middlefork 
township; Ambrose B., of this review; John 
\V.. who was a soldier of the Civil war and 
ga\-e his life in defense of the old flag, being 
killed at the battle of Franklin. Tennessee, 
November 30. 1864; Edward, who is living 
in the state of Washington ; Samuel, a resi- 
dent of Jefferson, Greene county, Iowa; 
George A., who was killed by a runaway 
team when a young man ; Rebecca, who died 
in early womanhood ; Elizabeth, who became 
the wife of Eli Hornbeck, of Middlefork 
township and died here, leaving a daughter, 
now the wife of Scott Johnson, a lumber 
merchant of Rankin, Illinois; Eve Maude, 
who married Wallace Bodley and like her 
husband is deceased ; and Nancy Margaret, 
the wife of Howell Davis, of Urbana, 
Illinois. 

Ambrose B. Judy was only nine years of 
age when he removetl to Vermilion county. 
He was educated in the common schools and 
in the Danville high school, which he attend- 
ed for two or three terms. In February, 
1864, he responded to his country's call for 
aid and joined Comi^any E, of the I*'ift}--tirst 
Illinois Infantry, going to the south with the 
Army of the Cumberland. He was in many 
important engagements, including the bat- 
tles of Fvocky Face Ridge, at Buzzard's 
Roost, Resaca and the Atlanta campaign, 
in which he was under fire almost every day 
for nearly friur months. He was also in the 
battles of New Hope Church and Kenesaw 
Mountain, the battles of Atlanta and Jones- 



I082 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



boro. Subsequently he returned to Chatta- 
nooga, marching thence into Alabama and 
spending several weeks in Tennessee. With 
his command lie met the forces of General 
Hood in battle at Columbia and at Spring 
Hill. He then went to Franklin. Tennessee, 
while on the 15th and i6th of December 
he was a participant in the capture of Xash- 
ville. which practically destroyed Hood's 
army. Mr. Judy followed his command into 
Alabama and later was sent into eastern 
Tennessee to Blue Springs, near Greenville. 
After the surrender of General Lee's army 
he returned to Nashville, where he remained 
until about the middle of June, when he pro- 
ceeded l)y train to Johnsonville, Tennessee,, 
thence by boat to Cairo, Illinois, and down 
the river to New Orleans, being encamped 
at that place for over a month, spending the 
4th of July, 1865, there. Later the regi- 
ment was sent across the (nilf into Texas 
and did guard and camp duty in tliat state 
luuil ordered to return to the north, where 
the troops were mustered out, Mr. Judy be- 
ing honorably discharged in Springfield, Illi- 
nois, in October, 1865. He was neved ill or 
wounded during the service and was always 
found at his ])ost of dut)-, whether on the 
firing- line or on the picket line. 

-After receiving an honorable discharge 
IMr. Judy returned home and the following 
winter engaged in teaching — a profession 
which he had followed for a few terms prior 
to the war. Altogether he devoted the win- 
ter months during twenty years to that work 
and in the summer seasons carried on farm- 
ing. In 1 868 he made his first purchase of 
land, becoming the owner of one hundred 
acres where he now resides. This was par- 
tially broken and fenced and he continued 
the work of improvement and from time to 
time extended the boundaries of his farm. 
He now owns six hundred and sixtv acres 



in one tract. This is a \'ery valuable prop- 
erty and upon it are found all modern equip- 
ments and accessories. He has remodeled 
his residence and in the rear of his home are 
good outbuildings and upon his place is an 
excellent orchard. The farm is indeed well 
equipped and each year Mr. Judy harvests 
good crops and at the same time he sends to 
the city markets about two carloads of cattle 
annually and se\enty-five head of hogs. He 
is quite successful as a stock-raiser and feed- 
er and this branch of his business has materi- 
ally increased his income. 

On the 19th of J.nnuary, 1870, in \'er- 
milion county, occurred the marriage of our 
subject and Miss Mary E. Sterling, a native 
of Connecticut, who spent her girlhood days 
in that state and is indebted to its public 
school system for her educational privileges. 
Her father, Samuel B. Sterling, was like- 
wise born and reared there and married Min- 
erva Beard, al.so a native of that .state. He 
de\"oted his attention to farming in order to 
])rovide for his familv and alwa\s lived in 
Connecticut. Mrs. Judy was a successful 
teacher prior to her marriage and she is now 
a faithful and devoted menil>er of Wallace 
Chapel Methodist Episcopal church. 

]\lr. Judy holds membership relations 
with the (irand Army of the Republic and 
was formerly identified with the Republican 
I)art_\- on nruional (luestions, but in recent 
years has given his su])port to the Prohibi- 
tion party. At local elections, however, he 
votes independently of party ties. He has 
been elected and served as a member of the 
board of comity su])er\'isors, representing 
Middlefork township in that way in 1887-8. 
He was a member of some important com- 
mittees and introduced a number of reso- 
lutions of value which ha\e l)een ad(ipte(l 
and have sa\ed to the county sums of money. 
He has, howexcr. nc\er been a ])olitician in 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1083 



tlie sense of office seeking. For twenty- 
seven years he was school treasurer of his 
township and is filling the position at the 
present time. In nunierous conventions of 
his party his opinions have carried weight. 
He has ever been known and honored for 
his loyalty to his honest convictions and for 
his prominence and fidelity in executing any 
trust reposed in him. His life has been well 
spent and to-day he enjoys the regard and 
friendship of many of his acciuaintances. 



J. M. DOUGHERTY. 

J. ^I- Diiugherty has long and actively 
been connected with business affairs in Ver- 
milion county and is now engaged in dealing 
in lumber and in the manufacture and sale 
of native timber. He is well known as a re- 
hal)le business man and is also one of the 
honored early settlers of the county, dating 
his residence here since 1856. He now lives 
in the city of Danville and is familiarly 
called Joe by his numerous friends. 

Mr. Dougherty is a native of Indiana, 
his birth having occurred in Ohio county, 
that state. September 16, 1843. His father, 
William Dougherty, was born in Dearborn, 
Indiana, August 11, 1825, while the grand- 
father, Joseph Dougherty, was a native of 
Virginia. The family comes of Irish line- 
age, the first representative of the name in 
America, ha\ing emigrated from the north- 
ern part of Ireland to Virginia at an early 
epoch in the history of this country. Joseph 
Dougherty served as a soldier of the ]\Iexi- 
can war. Emigrating westward he became 
one of the first settlers of Indiana and in the 
midst of the dense forest there he hewed out 
a farm. So wild was the country that he 
always kept his gun by his side even while 



working in order to protect himself from 
any attack from Indians. William Dough- 
erty was reared to manhood amid the wild 
scenes of pioneer life and in Indiana was 
united in marriage to J\Iiss Mary Myers, who 
was born in Ohio. For some years there- 
after he followed farming in Indiana and in 
1856 he came to Illinois, settling in Vermil- 
ion county among the first settlers of Catlin 
township. There he opened up a farm and 
carried on agricultural pursuits for many 
years. He lost his wife in April, 1899, when 
she had attained the age of eighty-two years, 
and since that time Mr. Dougherty has resid- 
ed with his children. 

Joseph AI. Dougherty of this review was 
a lad of thirteen years when he came with 
his 2^arents to Vermilion county and upon 
the old home farm here he was reared to 
manhood, remaining under the parental roof 
until twenty years of age, when he began 
work for himself. His attention was given 
to agricultural pursuits and to the lumber 
business. He_ purchased one hundred and 
twenty acres of timber land near Danville, 
cleared this, built upon it a good residence 
and opened up an excellent farm, upon 
which he lived for sixteen years. On the 
expiration of that period he took up his 
abode in Danville, building a home there 
and has since continuously engaged in deal- 
ing in lumber. Other departments of busi- 
ness actix'ity have also claimed his attention. 
He has engaged in the manufacture and 
burning of brick and has further contrib- 
uted to the improvement of the city by erect- 
ing a number of business houses and resi- 
dences here, employing a large number of 
workmen. He has always continued his 
operations in timber and in the manufacture 
of native lumber, this proving to him a good 
source of income throughout all the years. 
He is a man of sound business judgment, of 



1084 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



unflagging enterprise and stalwart i)ur])()se 
and Iiis efforts have brouglit to liim splendid 
success, placing him ani< mg the substantial 
residents of Danville. 

In August. 1867. in this county, Mr. 
Dougherty was united in marriage to Callie 
McCollister. who died three years and nine 
months later, lea\ing a daughter who died 
when about four years of age. In 1872 in 
I^anville. ^Nlr. Duuglierty was again married, 
his second union being with Emily McCol- 
lister, a cousin of his first wife. Unto them 
have been born three chldren : M. M., who 
is now in the hospital service in the Philip- 
])ine Islands. ha\'ing been connected with the 
military interests of his coimtry since the 
oiubreak of the war with S])ain : Callie. at 
home: and Belle, who is a teacher in the 
schools of Danville. The mother of these 
children passed away November 12. 1895 

I'nlitically ]\[r. Dougherty is a Jefferson- 
ian Democrat who takes an active and help- 
ful interest in the work of the party. He 
has served as a member of the county central 
committee for a number of years, was chair- 
man for two or three years and was elected 
and served for eight consecutive years as 
assessor and collector of Danville township. 
being elected in a district which usually gives 
a strong Re])ublican majority. This fact 
was a tribute to his personal worth and to 
his high standing among his fellow men. 
who recognized his ability and his loyalty to 
public duty. He has many times been chosen 
as a delegate to county and state conventions. 
Socially he is a Master Mason. I'or forty- 
eight years he has been a resident of X'ermil- 
ion countv and has witnessed much of its 
growth and development. He has seen the 
prairies broken and fenced, the timber and 
brush cleared away, roads constructed and 
towns and cities built. He farmed land up- 
on which a part of the city of Danville now 



stands. In all the work of improvement he 
has Ixirne an active part and has lived a life 
of integrity and activity, which has classed 
him among- the honored residents of his com- 
munity. He is a modest, unassuming man, 
caring not for notoriety, yet he deserves the 
praise that is usually given a self-made man 
and the high regard which is accorded him 
b\- his friends. 



ALBERT WOLCOTT. 

All>ert W'olcott was for many years a 
representative and prominent agriculturist 
of \'ermilion county and a man of sterling 
worth, whose many excellent (pialitics en- 
deared him to his friends so that when he 
was called to his final rest his death was 
deeply and widely regretted. He was born 
on the 4th of .April. 1S39. in Chenango coun- 
ty, Xew York. His father died when the 
subject of this re\iew was only seven years 
of age and his mother passed away several 
years later. Albert W'olcott was the young- 
est of nine children, eight brothers and a 
sister. He remained in the Empire state 
until about nineteen years of age, when he 
sought a home in the west, locating first 
in Logan county. Illinois. There he re- 
mained for eleven years and during that 
time he went tn the front as a defender of 
the L'nion cause in the Civil war, enlisting 
in 1862 as a memlier of Company C, One 
Hnnrlred and Sixth Illinois Infantry. He 
partici])atcd in a nunilier of imimrtant en- 
gagements and was always found at his post 
of duty, faithfully upholding the honor of 
the old tkig. When the war was over and 
the country no longer needed his services he 
was mustered out on the 12th of July. 1865, 
and immediately returned to his home. 

Mr. W'nlcott bad become activclv en- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1085 



gaged in farming in Logan county, Illinois, 
and resuming his agricultural labor there he 
continued his farm work until February, 
1876. when he remo\'ed to Vermilion county, 
settling in Grant township. Here he pur- 
chased a tract of raw prairie land and with 
characteristic energy began its cultivation 
and inipro\'ement. The work of de\-eloping 
his farm he carried on vigorously and untir- 
ingly until he had made his fields rich and 
productive. 

In Logan county, Illinois, on the 17th of 
December, 1867, Mr. \\'olcott was united 
in marriage to Mrs. Mary Parker, who was 
bom in Pennsylvania and was taken to Ohio 
in her infancy. She is a daughter of John 
and Ellen (Schufif) Clouse, also natives of 
the Keystone state. ^Irs. Wolcott was 
reared in Ohio until thirteen years of age, at 
■which time she accompanied Iier parents on 
their removal to Jasper county, Indiana. 
iVt the age of seventeen she gave her hand 
in marriage to Ezra Parker, who died iri 
Logan county, Illinois, and su?)sei|uentlv she 
became the wife of i\Ir. Wolcott. Her tirst 
husband was a farmer by occupation, fol- 
lowing agricultural pursuits until his death. 
Her father, who was an inwdid for some 
years, followed saddle-making but later re- 
turned to the farm \\here the sons ot the 
famih- lived and where he spent his remain- 
ing days. In his family were eight children, 
four of whom are still living, namely : W'ill- 
ian: C, Andrew J., ]\Irs. Esther A. Lakins 
and I\Irs. Ann Wolcott. The marriage of 
our sul)ject and his wife was blessed with 
four children, of whom three are living: 
Mrs. Emma Ranson, a resident of Danville; 
Mrs. Viola McCoy, a resident of Hoopeston : 
and Ernest, who married Minnie Mahoney 
and is living on a farm. 

Mr. ^^\^lcott was a member of the Grand 



Army of the Repulilic and also of the Mod- 
ern \\'oodmen Camp. He attended the 
Baptist church and took a very deep and 
active interest in church work, although he 
\\as never a member, Ijut regularly attended 
the services and labored earnestly in the 
Sunday-school, while to the support of the 
cause of Christianity he was a liberal con- 
tributor. His wife holds memiiership in the 
Baptist church and is a zealous Christian 
woman. i\Ir. Wolcott continued his farm- 
ing operations until March, 1896, when he 
remo\'ed to Hoopeston but was not long per- 
mitted to enjoy his new home for there he 
died on the 30th of Octolier, 1897. Because 
of his progressive citizenship and active aid 
in measures for the general good, because of 
his trustworthiness in business and his fidel- 
ity' in private life Albert Wolcott was num- 
bered among' the leading and \alued resi- 
dents of his portion of the county and his 
loss was deepl}' mourned not only by his im- 
mediate family, but by a very large circle of 
friends. 

Mrs. \\'olcott had a farm of eighty 
acres in Logan county left her by her first 
husband. She sold this on remo\'ing to \'er- 
milion county and purchased eighty acres 
three and one-half miles from Hoopeston. 
propertv which she still (iwns and which is 
now \'erv x'aluable. At the [iresent time she 
resiiles on East Honey\\ell a\'enue, in the 
home purchased in 1896. \^'ith her lives 
her daughter. ]\Irs. Viola McCoy, and her 
husban.d, together with their four children, 
Charles A., Fay, Ernest and Edna. Mrs. 
Wolcott is wideh' known in Hoopeston and 
the siuTOunding pcirtions of X'erniilion coun- 
ty as a lady of man}- excellent qualities of 
heart and mind and the circles of her friends 
is almost co-extensive with the circle of her 
acc|uaintances. 



io86 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



BENJAMIN PETERSON. 



of tlie munl)er, our subject and two sisters, 



Benjamin Peterson, who is engaged in 
general farming on section 7, Butler town- 
ship, near the village of Potomac, has to-day 
valuable and extensi\e landed possessions, 
his home fami aggregating four hundred 
acres. During the sixty years he has lived 
in the state of Illinois wonderful indeed have 
been the changes that have occurred and the 
progress that has been made, for through 
these six decades this great commonwealth 
has emerged to take its place as the leader in 
many industrial and commercial lines in the 
nation. 

Mr. Peterson is a naitve of Ohio, his 
birth having occurred in \'iuton county, on 
the 1st of May, 1836. His father. Cornel- 
ius Peterson, was born in Maine, where 
his ]jeople located at a very early day and 
there he was reared. When a young man 
he went westward, locating first in Ohio, 
his home being in Vinton county. There he 
was married to Selinda Lane, whose birth 
occurred in that county. There Mr. Peter- 
son cleared and developed a tract of land, 
opening up a good farm, but in 1840 he 
sought a home in Illinois, settling in \'ermil- 
ion county, near Higginsville. Here he 
again broke a tract of land, building upon 
it a good house and l)arn and de\eloi)ing his 
farm until it was a rich and productive tract. 
Subsequeiuly, howe\-er, he sold that land 
and purchased a farm in Butler township. 
In 1859 again he turned the first furmws in 
his fields, carrying on the work of improve- 
ment and cultivation until his land was 
uKule to yield golden harvests for the labor 
he bestowed upon it. It was upon his farm 
that he spent his last days. In his family 
were three sons and seven daughters, all of 
whom reached mature years, but tmlv three 



Benjamin Peterson, whose name intro- 
duces this review, was reared to manhood 
upon the old family homestead in \'ermilion 
county. His school privileges were very 
limited because, owing to the nn.settled con- 
dition of this portion of the state, a public 
school system had not been established. He 
remained with his father throughout the 
period (jf his manhood anil after arriving at 
years of maturity he carried on the home 
farm. In i86q he purchased forty acres 
of land where he now resides. This was 
raw and unimproved but the breaking plow- 
had soon turned the surface and jn course 
of time the land was placed under a high 
state of cultivation. Subsequently he \n\v- 
chased eighty acres additional, upon which 
his buildings are now located. This was also 
destitute of improvements when it came into 
his ])ossession, being still in its primitive 
condition. He has erected a good residence, 
built substantial barns and other necessary 
outbuildings for the shelter of grain and 
stock and has planted an orchard and shade 
trees. He has tiled and fenced his land and 
all modern e<|uipments are found on this 
valuable farm. To his property he has added 
again and again until now he has four hun- 
dred and nine acres in one body. It is very 
valualile and each year a splendid harvest 
adds materially to the capital which be has 
already acquired. 

In Blount township. \'ermilion county, 
Mr. Peterson was united in marriage, on 
the 29th of October, i860, to Lydia Pilking- 
ton, who was born in Indiana, but was reared 
in this county. She died in May, 1886, leav- 
ing six children : Clara, now the wife of W. 
J. Buchanan of Butler township; William 
E.. who is a farmer of North Dakota; Flora, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



10S7 



the wife of Morton P. Ferr, of Hoopeston; 
John F., a resident of Kankakee; Myrtle, the 
wile of John McGinness of Iowa; Lillie, 
the wife of Oscar Anderson, a farmer of 
Butler township. On the ist of August, 
1889, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage 
to Mrs. Margaret Henderson, a widow, who, 
by her former marriage, had three sons and 
three daughters. 

Politically Mr. Peterson is a stanch Re- 
publican and his first vote was cast for 
Abraham Lincoln in i860. He has never 
wavered in his allegiance to the party since 
that time, but has never desired office as the 
reward for his party fealty, content to do 
his duty as a private citizen. While serving 
as a member of the school board he has done 
effective service in behalf of education. He 
has also filled the position of overseer of 
highways. Both he and his wife are earnest 
and zealous members of the United Brethern 
church, in which he has long held offices, 
being one of the trustees at the present time. 
A self-made man, his life record speaks 
clearly of industry, perseverance, economy 
and honesty. He started out in the business 
world with no capital yet he has steadily 
worked his way upward and is to-day the 
owner of a \'ery valuable farm in the county 
of his adoption. Throughout almost his 
entire life Mr. Peterson has resided in this 
portion of the state. The people of the 
twentieth century can scarcely realize what 
privations and hardships were endured by 
the early settlers. It was not uncommon to 
see a herd of deer making their way over 
the prairies and wolves were frequently shot 
and many kinds of wild game were here in 
great numbers, but all have disappeared be- 
fore the approach of the white men, who 
have claimed the land for the purpose of 
cultivation and ha\'e made the district to 
bloom and blossom as the rose. Mr. Peter- 
45 



son has turned many acres of sod and has 
seen the farmer impro\e h.is lands while the 
townsman has built up enterprises and in- 
dustries in village and city until Vermilion 
county has become a rich agricultural and 
commercial center. He himself worked up- 
on three farms in order to make them 
cultivable and for his life of industry and 
enterprise he deser\es credit. His mind is 
stored with many interesting reminiscences 
of pioneer times, when the homes of the 
settlers w-ere widely scattered but when 
hospitality reigned supreme and many pleas- 
ures were enjoyed that are not known at 
the present day. He can tell the tale of 
Danville's development and he rejoices in 
what has been accomplished in that town and 
city. He has ever borne his part in the work 
of progress and as an honored pioneer he de- 
ser\'es prominent mention in this volume. 



JUDGE JACOB W. WILKIN. 

The name of Judge Jacob W. Wilkin is 
inseparably associated with the history of 
jurisprudence in Illinois and no man has 
been more respected in the state and none 
more highly deserve the honor that has been 
bestowed upon hini. He is now serving as 
one of the supreme judges of the common- 
wealth and his ability makes him one of the 
most capable jurists that has ever graced 
the court of last resort. The Judge was 
born in Licking county, Ohio, in June, 1837, 
and is a son of Isaac and Sarah (Burner) 
Wilkin, natives of Virginia. Soon after 
their marriage they removed to Ohio, set- 
tling in Licking county and in 1845 they 
became residents of Crawford county, Illi- 
nois, where the father engaged in farming. 
Prior to his arrival in this state, however, 



ioS8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



he had followed contracting and builchng. 
His Hfe record covered eighty-one years, 
while his wife passed away at the advanced 
age of eighty-five, both dying in Marshall. 
Clark county, where they were living re- 
tired. In their family were nine children. 
six sons and three daughters, of whom four 
are yet living, but the Judge is the only one 
who resides in Danville. One brother and 
a sister are living in Robinson. Crawford 
county, the brother. H. O. Wilkin, is filling 
the ])osition of circuit clerk there. The sis- 
ter. Airs. Alary AI. Coulter, is a widow. The 
otlier brother. Rev. AI. T. Wilkin, is a min- 
ister of the Alethodist church. n<iw preach- 
ing in L'rbana, Illinois. 

When a lail of eight years Judge Wilkin 
was brought to Illinois by his parents anil 
attended school in Crawford county. He aft- 
erward became a student in AIcKendree Col- 
lege in St. Clair county, Illinois, and was 
thus pursuing his literary education when 
the Civil war broke out. Deeply interested 
in the questions which involved the country 
in the struggle and most loyal to the Union 
can.se, he offered his services to the govern- 
ment, enlisting in Alarshall. Clark county, 
as a member of Company K. One Hundred 
and Thirtieth Illinois Wilunteer Infantry. 
under Colonel Nathaniel P. Aides, the regi- 
ment being assigned to the Thirteenth Army 
Corps. With his command the Judge par- 
ticipated in the battles preceding the siege 
of \'icksburg and in the campaign which 
was followed by the surrender of that south- 
ern stronghold. He was on detached serv- 
ice at General Grant's headquarters during 
the siege and he was also in the Red Ri\er 
campaign, during which he participated in 
the battle of Sabine Cross Roads and other 
engagements. He also aided in the siege of 
Spanish Fort, in the campaign against Fort 
Blakelv and in other movements of the 



army in that district of the south. He had 
enlisted in the spring of 1862, was mus- 
tered in in .\ugust of the same year and in 
the fall of 1865 he received an honorable 
discharge, having been in the army for more 
than three years. He joined his company 
as a private but was soon afterward com- 
missioned its captain and when mustered 
out held the rank of major of the One Hun- 
dred and Tlnrlieth Illinois Regiment, which 
had previously been consolidatetl with the 
Seventy-seventh Regiment. With bis com- 
mand he was mustered out at Alobile and 
received his discharge at Springfield. Illi- 
niiis. 

l-"ollowing his return to civil life Judge 
Wilkin resumed the study of law under the 
direction of Judge Schofield. a distingiiished 
member of the Illinois bar and for many 
years a member of the supreme court of the 
state In i86() he was admitted to the bar 
and ho began practice in Alarshall. Clark 
ci unity. .\s a partner of his former pre- 
ceptor lie i)racticed froin 1867 until 1873, 
and ill the latter year the dissolution of the 
l)iisiness relationship was brought about by 
the election of Judge Schofield to the su- 
preme bench. Judge Wilkin was then alone 
in practice until 1879. when he was elected 
circuit judge of the fourth circuit, comjiris- 
ing the counties of Clark, Fdgar. Coles, 
\'ermilion. Douglas, Aloultrie, Alacon, 
Piatt and Champaign. He continued to re- 
side in Alarshall. Illinois, until 1883. when 
he was re-elected circuit judge and was as- 
signed to the ajipellate court of the fourth 
di.strict. at which time he remosed t<> Dan- 
ville. In June. 1888, he was elected to the su- 
preme bench succeeding" Judge John AI. Scott, 
ui McLean county and in 1897 was re- 
elected so that he is now serving as a mem- 
ber of that body a second term. When first 
elected he became an associate of his former 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1089 



preceptor, Judge Schofield, who was also 
upon the liench and cciiitiiiued a member of 
the supreme court until his death, which oc- 
curred in February, 1893. A man of un- 
impeachable character, of unusual intellect- 
nal endowments, with a thorough under- 
standing of the law, patience, urbanity and 
industry. Judge Wilkin took to the bench the 
very highest cpialifications for this most re- 
sponsible ofifice in the system of the state 
government : and his record as a judge has 
been in harmony with his record as a man 
and lawyer, distinguished by unswerving in- 
tegrity and a masterful grasp of every prob- 
lem that has presented itself for solution. 
The Judge has great respect for the dignitv 
of judicial place and power, and no man ever 
presided in a court with more respect for his 
environments than does Judge Wilkin. As 
a result of that personal characteristic the 
proceedings are always orderly upon the part 
of e\'ery one — audience, bar and the officers 
from the highest to the lowest. His opin- 
ions are line specimens of judicial thought, 
always clear, logical, and as brief as the char- 
acter of the case will permit. He ne\er en- 
larges beyond the necessities of the legal 
thought in order to indulge in the draperv of 
literature. His mind, during the entire 
period of his course at the bar and on the 
bench has been directed in the line of his pro- 
fession and his duty. 

In September, 1865, was celebrated the 
marriage of Judge Wilkin and Miss Alice E. 
Constable, a daughter of Judge Charles H. 
Constable and unto them were born four 
children, of whom one died in infancy. The 
others are: Harry O., John Schofield and 
Jessie B. The sons are both in Oregon. In 
the early spring of 1883 Mrs. Wilkin died, 
her remains being interred in Marshall ceme- 
tery. In the fall of 1885 the Judge was 
again married, his second union being with 



Sarah E. Archer, a daughter of Judge Will- 
iam C. Whitlock. of Marshall, Illinois. By 
her first marriage she had one son, William 
W. Archer, who is now a practicing attorney 
of Chicago. 

The Judge is a member of the First 
Methodist Episcopal church of Danville and 
is serving as one of its trustees. In politics 
he is a Republican and served as a Grant 
elector in 1872. To a man of broad mind 
who has made a close study of social and 
economic questions as well as of the political 
history of his country, the subject of educa- 
tion is always a matter of interest and for 
many years Judge Wilkin served as a trustee 
of the Southern Illinois Normal School. 
Fraternally he is a prominent ]\Iason, be- 
longing to the lodge, chapter and command- 
ery of Danville and of the consistory of Chi- 
cago. He is also identified with the Grand 
Army of the Republic and with the Loyal 
Legion of Chicago. A gentleman of pleas- 
ing and courteous manner he is not less es- 
teemed for his social worth than his pro- 
fessional ability and he is to-day numbered 
among the distinguished residents of the 
state Ijecause of his well rounded character, 
his e\enl\- balanced mind and splendid in- 
tellectual attainments. 



GEORGE S. COLE. 



At the time of the Civil war George S. 
Cole wore the blue uniform of the nation and 
valiantly fought on southern battle-fields for 
the preservation of the L'nion. He was for 
man}' years one of the thrifty and active 
business men of Danville, but is now living 
a retired life, enjoying a well earned rest. 
He is one of the oldest living native sons 
of this city, his birth having occurred here 



logn 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Jamiarv 2~,. 1836. His father, Peleg Cole, 
was born in Xorth- Bennington, Vermont, 
January 9. 1804. and prior to his marriage 
came to the west settling in \'ermihon county 
in 1 83 1. Here he was married to Ehza 
Ghisha. wlio was also born in North Benning- 
ton, her natal day being September 11, 181 1. 
Peleg Cole w as one of the first business men 
of this city and his energy and activity con- 
tributed in no small degree to the busi- 
ness upbuilding of this place. He also 
entered scmie land from the govern- 
ment and engaged in farming for a 
few years. He died in Prairie du Chien, 
Wisconsin, November 6, 1855, when in 
the prime of life, having gone to that 
place vn a business trip. His wife sur- 
vived him until ^larch i, 1869, when she. 
too. was called away. There were but two 
children in the family who grew to mature 
years, the sister being Mary E., now the 
wife ijf J. D. Kilpatrick, of Danville. 

In this city George S. Cole was reared 
and educated and in September, 1862, he re- 
sponded to his country's call for aid to crush 
out the rebellion in the south, enlisting in 
Company .\, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth 
Illinois Infantry. He was in the army of 
the Cumberland and was first under fire at 
the battle of I'errxville. Kentucky, having 
been a soldier at that time -for over three 
weeks. Later he took part in the engage- 
ments at Stone Ri\cr. Chickamauga, Mis- 
sionary Ridge, Chattanooga and the .\tlanta 
cam])aign, in which he fought almost con- 
tinuously for sixty days. He also aided in 
the capture of Jonesboro and of Atlanta and 
was with Sherman on the celeljrated march 
to the sea. Later he took part in the battle 
of Bentonville and subsequently luarched 
through Richmond to Washington, where 
he participated in the grand review, which 
was the most noted military pageant ever 



known on the American continent, thousands 
of the soldiers marching by the grand stand 
upon which stood the president to review 
the N'ictorious army. Mr. Cole then returned 
to Chicago and was nuistered out and 
honorably discharged on the 9th of June, 
1865. 

Immediately afterward our subject 
joined his family in Danville. He had been 
married here on the 26th of April, i860, to 
Elizabeth \\'aples. who was born in Ver- 
million county, a daughter of William Wa- 
ples. one of the first settlers of this locality, 
having come to Illinois from the vicinity of 
Zanesville. Muskingum county, Ohio. Mrs. 
Cole was reared and educated in this state 
and by her marriage she has become the 
mother of four children : Charles P. and W. 
\\'.. who are living in Omaha, Nebraska: 
Ralph, a liusiness man of Danville; and 
Xellie A., at home. 

Mr. Cole had become identified with 
business interests of Danville prior to the 
Ci\il war and has been connected with 
various lines. At different times he has been 
engag'ed in the li\ery Ijusiness and in dealing 
in saddlery, harness and hardware. For a 
quarter of a century he was an active repre- 
sentative of trade interests here, but for 
stime years he has lived retired, enjoying a 
well merited rest. He has bought lots and 
built three good residences in Danville and 
has thus helped to improxe the town. In 
])olitics Mr. Cole is known as an earpest and 
stalwart Democrat, following the political 
footsteps of his father, while his sons have 
also followed the example of their father in 
this respect. He has voted for each presi- 
dential nominee of the Democratic party 
with the exception of the time when be was 
in the armv and gave his support to Abraham- 
Lincoln. When a young man he was elected 
and served as constable and was assistant 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1 09 1 



United States assessor of internal revenue 
during the administration of Andrew John- 
son. He never was. however, a poHtician 
in the sense of office seeking-, preferring to 
give his attention to his business interests. 
He and his wife are members of the First 
Presbyterian church of Danville. His entire 
life has been passed in this city which has 
since developed almost from a country cross- 
roads village until it has become one of the 
leading metropolitan centers of this great 
commonwealth. In its improvements and 
progress he has manifested a deep interest 
and has given hearty co-operation to many 
measures for the general good. 



PERRY FRAZIER, 



Throughout the greater part of his busi- 
ness career Perry F"razier has been identi- 
fied with the agricultural and commercial in- 
terests of A^ermilion count}-, but at the 
present time is practically living a retired 
life in the city of Georgetown, where he 
was born November 13, 1838. His parents 
were Abner and INIary (Millican) Frazier, 
of whom more extended mention is made in 
the sketch of John Frazier on another page 
of this volume. 

During his boyhood and youth our sub- 
ject became thoroughly familiar with agri- 
cultural pursuits, and at an early age took 
charge of his father's farm. During the 
first year it was under his manag-ement he 
raised fifty head of fine hogs, which was a 
very unusual number for that time, and he 
continued to operate the farm with good suc- 
cess until his marriage. At the ag-e of 
twenty-one he wedded Miss Eliza J. Patty, 
a daughter of Eli and Catherine (Hoover) 
Pattv. natives of Indiana. ]Mr. Frazier then 



rented the home place for se\-eral years, when 
on account of his wife's failing health he 
removed to Butler. Bates county, ]\Iissouri, 
where he conducted a meat market for two 
years. His wife gradually declined instead 
of recovering as they had hoped, and soon 
after selling his market she died and he 
broug-ht her remains back to Georgetown for 
interment. She left two sons : Xorman W., 
now a resident of Cayuga. Indiana: and 
Jay M., who is mentioned below. The wife 
of the former is now deceased and his 
children, Lucile, Lester and Rose, now make 
their home w-ith his parents and brother. 

On his retiu'n to \'erniilion county, Mr. 
Frazier again rented his father's farm, re- 
maining- there for fourteen years. In the 
meantime he was united in marriage to ]Miss 
Mary J. Moore, a daughter of John and 
Hannah Moore, who. lived near Georgetown. 
Airs, Frazier died on June 24. 1901, and 
our subject now makes his home in George- 
town, occupying a pleasant residence only 
a half mile north of the square on the Dan- 
\-ille & Georgetown electric line. L'pon the 
]ilace is a large barn, office and considerable 
fruit of all kinds. Besides his home Air; 
Frazier owns considerable other property, 
including thirteen acres in the Heights of 
Georgetown, east of the trolley line, which 
is not yet platted. He has eighteen acres 
west of the line, which has been laid off in 
town lots, averaging sixty by one hundred 
and twenty feet, with a street in front forty 
feet ■\\-ide and an allev in the rear ten feet 
wide. He also has forty-one and a half acres 
on section 30, Georgetown township. 

Air. Frazier has always been a hard 
working man and in his undertakings has 
met with a fair degree of success, which how 
enables him to lay aside active labor and 
spend the remainder of his life in ease and 
quiet, enjoying the comforts which former 



I092 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



toil lias bruiiglit to liini. He holds member- 
ship in the Friends church at Georgetown^ 
and is held in the highest respect and esteem 
bv all who know them. 



F. C. V. FARES. 



F. C. \'. l-'ares is one of the popular and 
well known residents of Danville, where he 
has resided for twenty-two years. He is en- 
gaged in Inisiness as a traveling salesman, 
representing a Hour hcnise in this citv. He 
u-as born in Cincinnati. Ohio, on the 8th of 
November. 1850, and is a son of Frank V. 
ami Kate (Waggoner) Fares, the former a 
native of Germany and the latter of Ohio. 
On coming to the new world the father set- 
tled in Cincinnati and subsequentlv he re- 
moved with his family to Evansville, Indi- 
ana, where he conducted a bottling factory, 
bottling pop, soda water and other soft 
drinks. There he resided until his death. 
His wife also passed away in Evansville. 

Mr. Fares of this review pursued his 
education in the schools of Cincinnati and 
Evansxille, acquiring a good knowledge of 
the branches of English and German learn- 
ing, which fit one for the duties of business 
life. He afterward turned his attention to 
merchandising, being connected with the 
dry-goods trade in Cincinnati for several 
years. Subsequently he went to Evansville, 
Indiana, and there he conducted a dry-goods 
store until his removal to Dan\-ille. On lo- 
cating in this city he accepted a position as 
salesman in a well known dry-goods house^ 
remaining in that employ for six years, 
after which he accepted the position 
of manager of the firm of Abdilla 
& Brown, acting in that capacity for 
four years. He was ne.xt assistant secretary 



and physical director for the Young Men's 
Christian Association of Danville for a short 
period and in 1893 he went upon the road 
as a traveling s;desman for the Hour bouse. 
In this business he has since continued and 
is very popular among the many customers 
whnm he has secured because of his obliging 
manner, unfailing courtesy and reliable 
business methods. His business allows him 
to make a visit to his home once a month. 

Mr. Fares' family reside at No. 611 
Douglas avenue. He was married in Terre 
Haute, Indiana, in 1885. to Miss Mary 
Purdy, a native (if tliat city, born in 1856, 
and a daughter of Major George H. and 
Rachel B. (Soule) Purdy. the former a 
native of Massachusetts and the latter of 
Terre Haute. During the early ])art of 
their married life they resided near Roches- 
ter, Xew '^'ork, and then removed to Terre 
Haute, Indiana, where Major Purdy secured 
a position as manager in a packing house, 
being thus emjiloyed until after the inaug- 
uration of the Civil war. He then enlisted 
in the Lnicm armv with the r;mk of cajjtain, 
served for three years as a major and was 
mustered out with the rank of lieutenant 
colonel. After tlie war he returned to his 
home in Terre Haute, where he engaged in 
the commission business until bis retirement 
from business life. Both he and his wife 
still reside in that city, where he is widely 
kn(nvn as a pioneer settler and an honorable 
man, prominent in public affairs and exert- 
ing considerable infiuence in behalf of the 
city's welfare. 'J"he Soule family was also 
established in Terre Haute at an early day 
and is well known in that city. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. I-'ares has 
been blessed with two children, Robert P., 
born Decemljer 2. 1886. and Helen, bom 
June 28. t888. Both Mr. and ?klrs. I'ares 
hold membership in the Baptist church of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1093 



Dainille, taking an acti\e part in its work, 
contributing liberally to its support, and at 
tbe present time JMr. Fares is serving as one 
of its trustees. In politics he is a stanch Re- 
publican, never faltering in his allegiance 
to the party. Socially he is idetititred with 
the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Circle, of 
Danville, and with the Traveling Men's Pro- 
tective Association. His deference for the 
opinion of others, his kindliness, his geniality 
and his genuine personal worth have made 
him a favorite with a large circle of friends 
and his wife, too, enjoys the esteem of all 
who know her. 



TAY :\I. FRAZIER. 



Jay M. Frazier is one of the leading 
young business men of Georgetown, where 
he is now engaged in the real estate business, 
meeting with excellent success. He has 
recently purchased fifty-two acres of land, 
a ])art of which lies within the corporate 
limits of the town, paying for this one hun- 
dred and fifty dollars per acre. The tract 
is one of the finest adjoining the village and 
it has already doubled in value since it came 
into the possession of Mr. Frazier. He gave 
the right of way along this tract to the Dan- 
ville anil Paxton electric line, believing it 
would greatly aid in the upbuilding and 
advancement of the city. He expects to plat 
and build upon a part of his late purchase. 
He has erected many houses, which he 
subsequently sold on payments, and at the 
present writing, in 190J. has several in 
course of construction. He is also erecting 
a larg-e and well appointed greenhouse near 
his residence and will soon be ready to 
furnish all kinds of flowers and shrubs to 
order. He is a witle-awake. energetic busi- 
ness man, tlioronghlv progressive and up-to- 



date, and well deserves the success that is 
attending his efforts. . 

In 1892 Mr. Frazier married ^liss Grace 
Parker of Georgetown, and they reside on 
the home place with his father. She is a 
member of the Friends church. In politics 
Mr. Frazier is a Republican and is now serv- 
ing as a member of the \illage board with 
credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction 
of his constituents. 



JAMES M. GARNER. 

James 'M. Garner, who for a third of a 
century was an active and enterprising 
farmer in Illinois but is now living retired in 
Sidell, was bom in Clinton county, Ohio, on 
the loth of August, 181S. The family is of 
Engiish ancestry, having been established in 
Xorth Carolina at an early day. Captain 
James Garner, the great-grandfather of our 
suliject. was born in England and determin- 
ing to become a resident of the new world 
crossed the Atlantic upon one of the old 
time sailing vessels and became a resident of 
Xorth Carolina when the work of improve- 
ment and progress in that state was in its 
infancy. He became the owner of an exten- 
sive plantation and a large number of slaves, 
and was a prominent man of his locality. 
The grandfather of our subject was John 
Fushe Garner, a native of North Carolina, 
and James Garner, the father of our subject, 
was also born in that state. There he was 
reared and as a companion and helpmate on 
life's journey he chose ^lary ^loon, a native 
of Xorth Carolina and a daughter of Joseph 
Moon, who was likewise born in the same 
state, also of English lineage. James Gar- 
ner emigrated from X^orth Carolina to Ten- 
nessee, and about 181 1 became a resident of 
Ohio, settling in Clinton county, which was 



1094 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



then a vast wilderness. The entire jounie_\" 
was made l)y waggon and lie took with him 
eig'lit head of Iiorses and eleven cattle, hut all 
of his cattle were stolen while in Kentucky. 
His horses died soon after reaching Ohio 
and he then traded his wagon for another 
horse. For some years he found it very diffi- 
cult to provide for his family in the new 
home, for pioneer conditions existed and 
many hardships and trials were to be borne. 
He had only one neighbor living within ten 
miles of him. After reaching Clinton coun- 
ty he purchased some land from which he 
cleared away the trees and thus in the midst 
of the forest he hewed out a farm. After 
gaining a start he returned to Tennessee, 
made some collections upon old debts and 
disposed of some property there. He thus 
secured about four hundred dollars in silver. 
With this amount he returned to Ohio and 
it was probably his great size and strength 
that prevented him being rol^bed or mur- 
dered for his money. He was more than 
six feet in height and \veighc<l over two hun- 
dred and fifty pounds. Air. Garner spent 
his remaining days in Clinton county and as 
the years passed he was enabled to add more 
and more of the comforts of the older east 
to his pioneer home and in course of time 
became well-to-do. Both he and his wife 
died in Clinton county, but he survived her 
for a number of years. In their family were 
seven sons and se\-en daughters, and with 
one exception all reached adult age. although 
James Al. and a sister are the onlv ones now 
living. 

James M. Garner grew to manhood in 
Clinton county upon the old family home- 
stead, remaining willi his father until his 
death, when he ])urchased the interest of the 
other heirs in the old home place and suc- 
ceeded to the ownershi]) of the property. 
There he carried on agricultiu'al jjursuits un- 



til 1869 when he came to the west. He was 
married in Clinton county in 1840, to Miss 
Martha A. Seal, a native of Ohio, born in 
Highland county. Her father, Robert Seal, 
was an early settler of the Buckeye state, re- 
moving to Ohio from \'irginia. 

In 1869 Mr. Garner sold his farm in 
Clinton county and came to Illinois, settling 
first in Douglas county, where he purchased 
one hundred and sixty acres of raw land. 
This he broke and fenced, placed manv rods 
of tiling upon the farm, built good barns 
and a comfortable residence, planted an or- 
chard and a grove of forest trees, and in fact 
continued the work of improvement until his 
property had greatly risen in value and 
formed one of the attractive features of the 
landscape. He also engaged in raising, 
feeding and fattening stock for the market, 
and was classed among the successful farm- 
ers and stock-raisers of his community. 
There he continued his work until 1897 
when he sold his f.arm and purchased resi- 
dence property in Sitlell. where he has since 
lived in, tlie enjoyment of a well earned rest. 

In 1863, while still in Ohio, Mr. Garner 
was called upon to mourn the loss of his first 
wife. By that marriage nine children had 
been l)orn, of whom fi\"e are yet li\-ing: 
John, a resident of South Dakota: William 
Eldriilge. who is also living in that state; 
Thomas Jefferson, of California; Romeo, 
who resides in Tuscola, Illinois; and Eliza- 
beth, the wife of O. D. Loomis, of Cham- 
paign county, Illinois. Of the four who 
passed away two had reached mature years. 
Rachel Ellen was married and left three chil- 
dren, while Mary Emma died when a young 
ladv. Air. Garner was married a second 
time in Indiana, in the town of Gaheston, 
Airs. Rebecca Lightfoot, nee Walker, becom- 
ing his wife. She was born in Ohio, but 
was reared in the Hoosier state and for a 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1095 



number of years she tra\'eled life's journey 
with Mr. Garner, but in the fail of iSg- she 
was called to her final rest. There were 
four children by this union : Etta, the wife 
of J. R. Neece, of Tolona, Illinois;- Cora, 
the wife of L. C. Benefiel, of Sidell ; Effie, 
the wife of F. S. Smithson, of Broadlands, 
Illinois ; and Iva, a young lady at home. 

Mr. Garner probably cast his first vote 
for a presidential candidate for William 
Henry Harrison in the year 1840, and was 
an old line Whig until the dissolution of the 
party, when he joined the ranks of the new 
Republican party. He voted for Fremont in 
1856 and for each presidential nominee of 
the Republican party since that time. He 
was reared in the faith of the Society of 
Friends and still adheres to that religious 
belief. He has known what it is to li\'e up- 
on the frontier both in Ohio and in Illinois, 
and has assisted in the arduous task of im- 
proving the wild land in both states. 
Through a third of a century he has made 
his home in \'ermilion county, during which 
time he has formed an extensive acquaint- 
ance and all who have been brought in con- 
tact with him recognize in him traits of 
character which are worthy of commenda- 
tion and emulation. 



D. M. SHANKLAND. 

D. M. Shankland, who is now serving 
as one of the aldermen of Hoopeston, was 
born in Warren county, Indiana, in 1853. 
He is a son of J. C. Shankland, who died 
when our subject was fifteen years of age. 
The mother, who bore the maiden name of 
Nancy Stone, passed away in 1877. I" their 
family were seven children, but only three 
are now living, namely: Samuel \'. ; Ada 



J., the wife of Curtis Franks: and D. M, 
In 1863 :\Ir. Shankland of this sketch 
accompanied his parents on their removal to 
Iroquois county, a settlement being made 
along its southern border. There he was 
reared, li\-ing in that locality when it was 
still a pioneer district and when deer roamed 
over the prairies. He remembers seeing as 
many as thirty-two head in a single drove 
cross his father's farm. He attended the 
public schools for several terms, walking a 
distance of four miles to and from school. 
As a companion and helpmate for life's jour- 
ney Mr. Shankland chose Eva Foxworthy, 
a most estimable lady who has been a faith- 
ful companion and helpmate on life's jour- 
ney. Their marriage was celebrated in 
Iroquois county, in iSSo, and the lady was 
born in Vermilion county in 1861. Her 
mother, Mrs. Martha Foxworthy, is still 
living in Hoopeston. In her family were 
the following ehiklren : Wallace, Addison, 
Reed, George, Ross, Dale and Eva, the last 
named being the only daughter. 

Two years after their marriage ]\Ir. and 
Mrs. Shankland removed to northwestern 
Nebraska, taking with them about twenty-* 
fi\-e hundred dollars, but they made a mis- 
take in going too far west, where little rain 
fell and their attempt to establish a home in 
that country and gain prosperity proved un- 
successful. Mr. Shankland homesteaded 
some tracts of a half section and remained 
in the west for seven years, but finding that 
he could not gain prosperity there he re- 
turned to Hopeston in 1888 and has since 
been engaged in the work of drilling wells, 
putting in tubular wells, windmills, tanks 
and piping. He now has a two-horse power 
well driller for his drill wells and employs 
usually about four men. His work extends 
to Tippecanoe and Benton counties, Indiana, 
and his services are in demand during the 



1 096 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



greater p;irt oi the time. He is now receiving 
a liberal patronage and liis business is gain- 
ing greatly both in volume and importance. 
He thoroughly understands the work in 
principle and in tletail. and there is no one 
more competent in his line than is Mr. 
Shankland. 

The home of ovn- subject and his wife 
was blessed with tWD children, but they lost 
one child. Merle, at the age of seven years. 
Their daughter Delia is now employed in 
the telephone exchange. Both our subject 
and his wife hold membership in the Ameri- 
can Home Circle, of w hich he is a guardian. 
In politics lie is a Republican and he is now 
serving for the fourth term as a member of 
the board of aldermen of Hoopestou. While 
in Nebraska he was assessor for three terms. 
He and his wife have a pleasant home on 
Thompson avenue where they also own three 
lots. All ih.'it Mr. .'^bankland possesses has 
been acquired through his enterprise and well 
directed labor and he deserves much credit 
for what he has accomplished. He is quite 
widely known throughout the county, and 
cs]iecially in Hoopeston he has many friends. 



\\I1.I.1AM REILTA' 



William Ucilly. a nati\-e of the Emerald 
isle, has resided in \arious portions of Amer- 
ica as well, not only in the United States 
but also in Xova Scotia. l)ut since i860 he 
has made his home in Danville, where he is 
now living a retired life. He was born on 
the Emerald isle, a son of Edward Reilly, 
Mdio was a farmer of Ireland and spent his 
entire life there. The subject of this review 
was but fourteen years of age when with his 
six brothers he sailed for the new world, 
first locating in Worcester. Massachusetts, 
where for a short time he was employed at 



the blacksmith's trade. He afterward went 
to Boston, where he followed blacksmithing 
for four years and then removed to White 
Fountain, New Hampshire, where he 
worked at his trade for two years. Remov- 
ing then to Maine he was for a year em- 
ployed on a rock ledge and on the expiration 
of that period he made his way to St. John's, 
Nova Scotia, where ior three years he was 
empIo\ed as foreman of a stone quarry and 
for four years was engaged in stone work 
near St. John's when he left the northeast, 
seeking a home in Illinois, locating in Dan- 
\ille where he resided for three years, devot- 
ing his attention to his old trade of black- 
smithing. Attracted by the discovery of 
gold in California he then went t(i the Pacific 
coast and for a year worked in the mines, 
but again he returned to Danville and was 
employed as a coal miner in this locality and 
in the Crape creek mines near Danxille for 
several years. With the money he had ac- 
c(uired through his own labors he then pur- 
chased coal mines near Dan\ille. operating 
these for several years, when he entered into 
a contract with the Chicago Coal & Coke 
Company to take charge of its mines at Grape 
Creek, acting as foreman there for five years, 
when, on account of illness, he retired from 
the position. He then purchased coal land 
at Grape Creek in order that his sons might 
continue in the mining business and this 
propert}- Mr. Reilly still owns, although he 
is now living retired from business cares. 

In Chester county, Pennsylvania, ]\Ir. 
Reill}' was united in marriage to Miss Ellen 
Sweeny, a native of County Donegal. Ire- 
land. Five children have been born unto 
them. Edward, who married Minnie Mc- 
Reynolds, is residing in Dan\ille and is man- 
ager of Kelly Mine No. 2. Annie is the 
wife of Thomas Sherr, a machinist of Dan- 
ville. Cornelius is a miner of this cilv. Will 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1097 



P. has been employed as a mail carrier of 
this city for more than thirteen years. 
George is a mokler in the machine shops of 
this city. They have also reared two adopt- 
ed daughters, Lizzie and May, both of whom 
are residents of Danville. 

When Mr. Reilly arrived in this city he 
boarded at what was known as the old Mc- 
Cormick House, but finally erected a h(.)me 
on Elizabeth street, in which he lived for 
several years, removing thence to his present 
home at No. 410 Buchanan street, where he 
is now living in honorable retirement from 
business. He owns one quarter of a block 
on this street and is also the owner of a 
fruit orchard of two acres at the edge of 
Danville and one and one-half acres of land 
near there, together with four building lots 
in the same district of the city and other 
property here. 'Slv. Reilly is one who from 
a humble financial position has steadily 
worked his way upward until he is now num- 
bered among the men of affluence of his 
adopted county. .Since 1856 he has earnest- 
ly and unfalteringly supported the Republic- 
an party and he and his family are members 
of the Catholic church of Danville. The 
hope that led him to leave his native land 
when a boy of fourteen years that he might 
enjoy the better business opportunities of the 
new world has been more than realized, for 
here he has prospered until to-day he may 
well be classed among the substantial citi- 
zens of \^ermilion county- 



JABEL B. TRENT. 

Jabel B. Trent, now deceased, was one 
of the first settlers of Danville. A native of 
Virginia, he pursued his education in the 
schools of the Old Dominion and at the age 



of nineteen years came to the west settling 
in Dan\ille where he began working at the 
builders' trade. He also learned and fol- 
lowed the brick mason's trade and assisted 
in building and plastering some of the first 
brick buildings in this city. He was also 
employed by the government as a land agent. 
He afterward worked at his trade again and 
when he hail accumulated a comfortable com- 
petence in that way he turned his attention 
to real-estate business which he followed 
during the latter part of his business career, 
handling considerable property much of 
which he owned. ■ He continued to reside in 
Dan\ille until his demise and was accounted 
a worthy and representati\'e citizen. 

Mr. Trent was united in marriage to 
Miss \Vealthy A. Rogers, of Vermilion coun- 
ty, and they became the parents of seven chil- 
dren. Samuel, who married Ellen Hannas, 
is now deceased. Annis is the wife of F. 
M. Preston, of Hoopeston. James is living 
on a farm in Vermilion county. John is a 
physician residing in Indiana. Susan A. is 
the deceased wife of Edwin Fox. Josephine 
is the wife of \\'illiam U. Burgett and is 
mentioned later on. Jabel carries on agri- 
cultural pursuits in this county. The father 
died May 27, 1857, and the mother, surviv- 
ing him for about t\\'enty years, passed away 
January i, 1877. Mr. Trent was always 
actively interested in politics and voted with 
the Democratic party. He held member- 
ship in the Masonic Lodge of Danville and 
both he and his wife were consistent and 
devoted members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal church. Actively identified with the up- 
building of the city in the years of its early 
development, he took a helpful interest in 
everything pertaining to the general good 
and was numbered among the prominent 
and influential men here. 

Josephine Trent, the youngest daughter 



1098 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



of our sul)ject, was married to William Cave 
and they became the ])arents of one son, 
James, \vlio married Miss Alesia Bloble and 
now resides near his mother. He is a mail 
carrier of this city. After the death of her 
first husband Mrs. Cave became the wife of 
William U. Burgett, a native of Ohio and a 
son of George Washington Burgett, of Wa- 
bash, Indiana. In the year 1875 he came 
to Danville where he began working at the 
carpenter's trade, which he has followed con- 
tinuously since, also devoting a portion of 
his time to blacksmithing. He now resides 
at No. 521 Bowman avenue, and Mrs. Bur- 
gett is also the owner of other jM-dperty near 
her residence. 



JOHN H. DUKES. 

A prominent and influential resident of 
W'estville. where he has taken an important 
part in the public policy of the tow n and in 
movements and measures for the general 
welfare, John H. Dukes commands the re- 
spect and confidence of the community. 
He was born in Georgetown township. Au- 
gust 7, 1856. His grandparents were Ste- 
phen and Rachel (Lewis) Dukes, the form- 
er a native of Virginia and the latter of 
Tennessee. They came to this countv in 
i8j2 and settled at Brooks Point, just east 
of Westville. Their eldest son, Ellis Dukes, 
was born January 25, 1828. He married 
Nancy F. Bowen, who was born in Bourl)on 
county. Kentucky, August 7, 1826. Through- 
out his entire active business career he fol- 
lowed farming and was a Repuljlican in 
politics, holding the ofilice of justice of the 
peace and also serving as school treasurer 
for twenty years. He was a man of strong 
character, ever fullilling his duties in strict 



accord to what he thought was right and 
winning the respect of his fellow townsmen 
by his upright conduct. He died March 6, 
1879. His wife in early life held member- 
ship in the New Light church and afterward 
in the Methodist church, dying in that faith 
on September 27th, 1875. They were the 
parents of seven children : Asa, who was 
born September 26, 1853, and died January 
8. 1859: Hilary C, who became the wife of 
Henry Robinson and died November 30, 
1878, leaving her husl)and and one child to 
mourn her loss: Dolly May, now living at 
(oyxille. Kansas: Robert N., born July 10, 
1854, who is a farmer residing near Custer, 
Wood county, Ohio; John H. : W. C, a 
resident of Georgetown, this county: and 
Rachel Frances, the widow of Henry (iilbert, 
who was a prosperous farmer. 

At the age of twenty-one John II. Dukes 
was united in marriage to Lizzie, daughter 
of Mahlon and Margaret (Falls) Finley, 
both natives of \'irginia. They were mar- 
ried there and at first removed to Intliana, 
and then in 1824 to X'erniilion county. They 
were the ])arents of fourteen children, as 
follows: Amos William, who was killed 
by lightning nern- \\'est\ille: Catherine, the 
wife of John Hogan. of Indianapolis, Indi- 
ana; America, the wife of Thomas Brady, 
of Catlin : Daviil A., who lived in ^^'estville 
and (lied October 8. 1890: Eliza Ann. the 
widow of Daniel Suycott, a merchant tailor 
of Rossville: Charlotte, the wife of G. W. 
Hooten, a lumberman of Dan\-ille, Illinois: 
Arminta, the widow of Peter S. Burke, a 
lawyer of '^"akima, Washington ; E. G. I'in- 
le_v. of Catlin. one of the most extensive 
stock raisers of this county: ^lary F.., the 
widow of John B. Cooley, a farmer of Mart- 
insxille, Clark county, Illinois: H. C. Fin- 
ley, a farmes residing near Mount Carmel, 
Illinois: Hem-ictta, wife of Frank \Miite. a 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1099 



farmer of Catlin ; H. C. tlie twin brother of 
Henrietta; Margaret, wife of Gus Samuel- 
son, a farmer of Oakwood township; and 
Mrs. Lizzie Dukes, who is the youngest of 
the fourteen children. Tiie children all had 
good common-school educations. The home 
of Mr. and Mrs. Dukes has been blessed 
with two children : America B., born Feb- 
ruary 22. 1879. is well educated and refined, 
being a graduate of music. Alfred Lewis, 
born March 17, 1881, has also received a 
good education in many branches including 
music. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. 
Dukes at first located in \\'ood county. Ohio, 
where he rented land for three years and en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising. He 
then came back to Vermilion county and 
rented his father's farm for two years, w-hen 
he purchased a farm adjoining Westville 
and there carried on agricultural pursuits 
until 1892. On this farm he opened the first 
tile manufactory in Vermilion county, which 
he operated for two years and then sold to 
his uncle, John Dukes. That year he was 
elected commissioner of highways of George- 
town township, on the hard road issue. He 
held the office until 1899, when he was de- 
feated by a Democrat, Luther A. Cliugan. 
During the time of the coal boom in this 
locality he sold his farm to the Kelly Coal 
Company and has since been engaged in 
trading. He was among the first trustees 
who organized the village of Westville. He 
has always been a stalwart Republican and 
is now representing his township as a mem- 
ber of the Republican central committee. 
He enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout 
the state, and none know him but to respect 
and honor him. He is a member of Mitchel- 
son Lodge, No. 573, K. P., of Westville. 
Mrs. Dukes is a member of the Methodist 
church. Their daughter is a member of the 



Rathbone Sisters and the son is president of 
the Teamster's Union, No. 114, of West- 
ville. Mr. Dukes owns his present residence 
which is situated on a lot one hundred and 
thirty-two feet. The house is an eight-room 
residence, only two blocks from the post- 
office. Mr. Dukes also has five dwellings 
in Westville which he rents, and a business 
corner opposite the Big Four depot which 
rents for sixty dollars a month, also two 
houses and lots in Georgetown and some 
vacant lots. He has two houses and lots in 
Danville and four hundred and eighty acres 
of land in Te.xas county, Missouri. A self- 
made man, Mr. Dukes has been very success- 
ful in his business ventures. This is due to 
his keen discrimination and his ability to 
make judicious investments of his capital. 
He has a fine library valued at several hun- 
dred dollars, and his home life is pleasantly 
passed with his family and friends. He is 
a sulistantial business man of his community 
and luuch of the improvement and develop- 
ment of the town is due to his efforts to- 
ward promoting its moral, intellectual and 
material welfare. 



REV. W. L. CAMPBELL. 

Rev. W. L. Campbell, who makes his 
home in Georgetown, and is now pastor of 
the Cumberland Presbyterian churches in 
Liberty, Illinois, and Cayuga, Indiana, is 
a native of Vermilion county, his birth hav- 
ing occurred in Elwood township, July 30, 
1842. His parents were Enos and Jenny 
Barr (Cloyd) Campbell, the fonuer bom 
August 12, 1800, and the latter in 1805. 
Their early home was near Jonesboro in, 
Washington county, Tennessee, whence they 
removed to 'N'ermilion countv. Illinois, set- 



I lOO 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



tlini;' ill Elwinnl townsliip in 1833. In tlieir 
family were twelve children, four horn in 
Tennessee and the others in this county. 
Nine of the nuniher are still living. James, 
the eldest, died in infancy prior to the re- 
moval of the family to Illinois. Catherine 
first married John I'atterson, a farmer of 
Elwood township, who died in 1857, leaving 
one child, William P., and alx)ut four years 
later his widow hecame the wife of Jacob 
M. Kendall, who lived on a farm in Elwood 
township until 1893 '"'"^ ^h^" removed to 
Ridgefarm. where he lived retired until his 
death in igoo. Mrs. Kendall is still living 
there. E. C. Kendall, the eldest son, en- 
gaged in farming until twenty-eight years of 
age, was next interested in mercantile Inisi- 
ness, and was subsequently a railway mail 
clerk, after which he went upon the road as 
a travehng salesman for the \\'ebster Gro- 
cery Company of Danville. He married 
Jennie Cooper and died in Danville in Jan- 
uary, 1902. John M. married Ollie Harvey, 
a daughter of William Harvey, then of 
Ridgefarm but now in Mississippi, and he is 
successfully engaged in general merchandis- 
ing at Ridgefarm. Joseph, who married 
Kate Foster, followed farming for several 
years but for the past ten years has engaged 
in the grain business at Ridgefarm. Jacob 
M., a general merchant of Dana, Indiana, 
married Zula Southern, a daughter of John 
Southern of Ridgefarm. Alexander, a resi- 
dent of Georgetown, married l'"lizabeth Pat- 
terson of Flw ni 1(1 township and now owns 
projjerty in both h^arnuMclge and Georgetown. 
James P. Campbell, who died in Georgetown 
in January, 1895, married Sarah Patterson 
and has five children, of whom Jacob died 
at the age of sixteen years ; and Florence 
died at the age of nineteen. His second 
daughter married Nelson Moore, of George- 
town ami ten \ears later died, leaving four 



children. His youngest son, Enos, is a 
blacksmith of Georgetown. His other 
daughter, Elizabeth, married Josiah Thomp- 
son, of Chicago, who is head clerk for a large 
steel manufacturing company, at a salary of 
twelve hundred dollars per year. Mary 
Cami)l)ell wedded Hiram Patrick, whose 
home is near Cayuga, Indiana, and to them 
were born ten children, of whom six are 
still living, two sons lieing married, while 
two other sons and two daughters are at 
home with their parents. Elizabeth Camp- 
bell became the wife of William Patrick, 
now a resident of Deiner. Colorado, and 
seven children blessed their union, the sur- 
vi\ing memljers of the family being Mrs. 
Charles Cook, whose husband is now living 
retired in Ridgefarm, Illinois, having left 
his large farm some seven years ago ; Enos, 
a leading member of the tire department ot 
Denver: Nannie, wife of John McCarthy, 
a well-to-do hardware merchant of that city; 
I.ou, a successful teacher in the schools of 
Denver: and Lene. wife of Frank James, a 
drug clerk of Chicago. . Druzilla Campbell 
married Tilghman \'an Duyn, a resident of 
Dana. Indiana, and they have four sons and 
two daughters. The father and three of the 
sons are blacksmiths and the other son is a 
tinner. One of the daughter is married and 
the other is single. W. L. Campbell, of 
this review, is the next of the family. A. C. 
Campbell lives in Fremont. Nebraska, with 
his wife and three daughters, all single. He 
and one daughter are engaged in selling 
musical instruments. The eldest is a trained 
nurse, commanding high wages, and the 
youngest is still in school. A. R. Campl>ell, 
who is a photographer by profession, now 
has charge of the Collett Home for or- 
phans, situated two miles east of Cayuga, 
Indiana. He is married and has one son 
and one dauglitcr. Lou Canipi)cll. the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



I lOI 



youngest of the family, married ^^'. C. Cook, 
a farmer living near Quaker, Indiana, and 
they have two sons, one married and the 
other single. Mr. Cook is a very successful 
man, owning a large farm, and is engaged in 
raising standard bred stock. 

W. L. Campbell, of this re\-iew, was 
reared and educated in this county, and in 
early life learned the carpenter's trade, which 
he has followed more or less throughout his 
entire business career, having built fourteen 
houses in Georgetown. Among them is a 
twelve room house for Mr. Pritchard, and 
one each for Mr. Robb and Mr. Kilgore. 

On the 20th of November, 1866, Air. 
Campbell was united in marriage to Aliss 
Jennie Poole, whose parents were John T. 
and Mary (Newman) Poole, of Terre Haute, 
Indiana. Her father engaged in merchandis- 
ing and also the cooperage business and was 
one of the first temperance organizers of his 
time. After the country became involved 
in Civil war he entered the ser\ice in 1862 as 
<|uartermaster sergeant and remained at the 
front until hostilities ceased. Unto Mr. and 
Mrs. Campbell were born fi\e children, all 
of whom are now grown, namely : Oscar 
K. married ]\Iabel Drury and resides in Gib- 
bon, Nebraska, where he carries on business 
as a barber and dealer in grain. Fraternally 
he is a member of the Knights of Pythias 
Lodge at that place. C. A., the second son, 
is employed in a sugar factory in Loveland. 
Colorado. Minnie is the wife of E. L. 
Hiberly, a successful lawyer and real estate 
dealer of Taconia, Washington. Gertrude 
is now with her parents. William Albert, a 
graduate of the Vermilion Academy, was 
studying law when he succumbed to con- 
sumption which followed a hemorrhage 
some eighteen months previous, and he 
passed away March 3, 1898. 

In his social relations Mr. Campbell is a 



member of Ridgefarm Lodge, No. 632, F. & 
A. M., of which order three of his brothers 
also belonged. His daughter, Mrs. Hiberly, 
is a member of Ben Hur Lodge of Tacoma, 
\\'ashington, and is connected with the 
Friends church, as was also her brother Will- 
iam A., while another brother is a member 
of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and 
the third of the Methodist church. Miss 
Gertrude is a member of the Christian church 
and the Royal Circle of Georgetown. In 
politics Mr. Campbell is a Prohibitionist and 
takes a deep interest in the temperance cause. 
At five different times he held the office of 
assessor of Eugene township, Vermilion 
county. Indiana, serving with credit to him- 
self and to the entire satisfaction of all con- 
cerned. Being a good penmen his books 
were always neatly kept. 

At the age of forty-two years Mr. Camp- 
bell was con\-erted and joined the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian church. Three years later 
he became a candidate for the ministry and 
being licensed to preach the same year he at 
once entered upon his ministrial labors, tak- 
ing a regular ecclesiastical course of study 
in the church of his denomination. At the 
age of tifty-three he was set apart and or- 
dained and has since engaged in preaching 
within the bounds of the Foster Presbytery, 
delivering- about two hundred sermons each 
year. He has also preached two hundred and 
forty funeral sermons, has married one hun- 
dred and eighty couples ; taken about two 
hundred and sixty members into the church ; 
ordained fourteen elders and twelve deac- 
ons. Between the 1st of April, 1901. and 
the 1st of April. 1902, he delivered forty- 
two funeral sermons and seven since that 
time. He now has charge of two congrega- 
tions, one at Cayuga. Indiana and the other 
at Liberty, Illinois, and is an untiring worker 
in the Master's vinevard. His life is exem- 



II02 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



plary in all respects and lie ever supports 
those interests wliicli are calculated to u]ilift 
and benefit humanity, while his own high 
moral worth is deserving of the highest 
commendation. He and his family are 
among the most esteemed and influential citi- 
zens of the eastern ]iart (if \'ermilion ciiuiity 



WILL H. YORK. 



Will M. ^'(lrk has for some years past 
been a resilient of Hoopeston. but recently 
was ap])ointed to the position of turnkey in 
the county jail and therefore expects to 
make Dan\-il]e his home, at least through the 
succeeding four years, which will cover his 
incumbency in that ]3ostion. Mr. York was 
born in Montgomery county. Indiana, on the 
26th of May, 1865, a son of Abraham and 
Isabel (Washburn) York. The father was 
a native of Ohio and for twenty-five years 
engaged in the livery business in Wayne- 
town. Indiana, in which place our subject's 
birth occurred. He has a brother and two 
sisters : John. Mrs. Lizzie Knox, of Hoopes- 
ton, and Mrs. Lucy Brant, of Veedersburg, 
Indiana. In Waynetovvu. Indiana. Will H. 
York pursued his education and when about 
eighteen years of age he entered a drugstore 
in Waynetown as a clerk, being employed in 
that capacity for a number of years. Leav- 
ing his native city in 1891 he went to Chica- 
go where for four months he was employed 
in the Lakeside restaurant. In the fall of 
1 891 he came to Hoopeston and for four 
years thereafter was employed in the Illinois 
Canning factory as a box-maker and at gen- 
eral work. In i8g6 he was appointed night 
watch for the city, acting in that capacity 
until i8()8 when he was put on the day force. 
In i()oo he was appointed deputy sheriff by 



James Sloan, for Grant township, and in 
.\ugust. igo[. he captured a man who had 
escaped from the Fort Madison, Iowa, peni- 
tentiary, and for whom a reward of fifty 
dollars was offered. In 1902 he was ap- 
pointed turnkey of the county jail under H. 
H. Whitlock, for a term of four years. 

Mr. York was married in Indianapolis, 
Indiana, in 1895, to Miss Maggie Hoffman, 
the wedding being celebrated on the loth of 
June, of that year. She was born in New 
York city. May 6, 1870, and when nine years 
of age was adopted !jy R. T. Miskimens, of 
Hoopeston. She has one brother, Conrad 
Hofifman, of this city. By her marriage she 
has Isecome the mother of three children : 
Richard, born .^pril 25. 1896; Jean, who 
died at the age of twenty-two months ; and 
Dorothy, born May 24, 1900. In his polit- 
ical views I\[r. York has always been a stanch 
Republican, earnest and unfaltering in sup- 
port of the party, and he is equally faithful 
and loyal in the performance of his duties 
as a public official. 

He belongs to Hooi>eston Lodge, No. 
709. A. F. (ft A. AI., the ^Modern Woodmen 
of .America and the Independent Order of 
Foresters, also of Hoopeston. 



T. S. CHRISTMAN. 



J. S. Christman, \ice-president of the 
Commercial Trust (S: Savings Bank of Dan- 
ville, Illinois, was born in Warren county, 
Indiana, and in 1876 moved from Indianap- 
olis. Indiana, to Illinois. He was employed 
by ^\'. J. Henderson & Company, general 
merchants of Ross\-ille. Illinois, for a period 
of three years; in 1879 began farming and 
stock-raising : later on began a banking busi- 
ness with W.T.Cunninoham under the name 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1 103 



of the Citizens Bank at Rossville and has 
continued farming operations to the present 
time. In 1890 the Citizens Bank was re- 
organized as the First National Bajik of 
Rossville, with Samuel CoUison, president : 
T. Collison, vice-president; and George E. 
Grays, cashier; and Mr. Christman is serv- 
ing on the board of directors. 



posit vault in the county. The establish- 
ment of the institution, including the remod- 
eling of the building, the installation of the 
safety vaults and the securing of the office 
fixtures, cost thirteen thousand six hundred 
and sixty-eight dollars, and is by far the best 
equipped bank in the county. Success has 
crowned the efforts of the concern since its 
opening, as its statement for the first five 
weeks was as follows : 



THE COMMERCIAL TRUST & SAV- 
INGS BANK. 

The Commercial Trust & Savings Bank 
of Danville was organized December 27, 
1902, with the following officers : W. T. 
Cunningham, president; J. S. Christman, 
vice-president ; T. F. Christman, cashier ; 
John L. Hamilton, vice-president ; and S. G. 
Wilson, general counsel. The board of di- 
rectors is composed of James A. Cunning- 
ham. F. M. Gundy, S. G. Wilson, J. S. 
Christman, O. P. Clark, Richard Clipson, 
J. W. Plasten, Ora Green, W. T. Cunning- 
ham, G. Maier, T. F. Christman and Charles 
A. Feor. The bank was capitalized for one 
hundred thousand dollars. 

This institution was organized December 
27, 1902. and took possession of its present 
quarters, January 22, 1903, in the building 
at No. 28 Vermilion street, which was re- 
modeled for this purpose. The institution 
was organized with an independent and orig- 
inal idea of banking, making a specialt)^ of 
of the savings and trust departments and 
paying three and a half per cent, interest on 
accounts. It is equipped with the latest im- 
proved burglar-proof Corless safe, unique 
in design and stvle: also equipped with 
a splendid burglar-proof safety deposit 
vault, containing four hundred private box- 
es. This is without doubt the only safety de- 

46 



RESOURCES. 

Loans and discounts $ 96,183.00 

Overdrafts 1 15.00 

Bonds and securities 15,000.00 

Banking house furnishings. . ; . . 13,668.00 

Due from banks 58,016.00 

Cash and sight exchange 26,598.00 

$209,580.00 

LIABILITIES. 

Capital stock $100,000.00 

Undivided profits 313.00 

Time deposits 16,688.00 

Demand deposits 92,579.00 



$209,580.00 * 

This is a remarkable showing which ar- 
gues well for the future. The trust depart- 
ment of this institution has been established 
for the purpose of handling estates, etc. 
There is also a burglar proof insurance. 



CHARLES SNIDER. 

Charles Snider, whose horticultural in- 
terests are bringing to him a creditable and 
gratifying competence, is a representative of 
one of the old and honored pioneer families 
of Vermilion county. More than seventy 
years ago his father, John Snider, built a 



1 104 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



log cabin upon the larm wliere our sulijcct 
now resides. It was in tliat pioneer liomc 
tliat Charles Snider was bom on the 13th 
of December, 1843, '^'^ parents being John 
and Mary (Blount) Snider, the former a 
native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Mus- 
kingum county, Ohio, her father being 
Charles Blount, for whom the township in 
Vermilion county was named. The father 
of our subject removed from Pennsylvania 
to Ohio with his parents and then emigrated 
to this state, making the trip on horseback 
accompanied by his wife and three small 
children. He arrived here in 1824 and es- 
tablished his home in the midst of the forest. 
He entered a quarter section of land and 
built the log house which is still standing. 
The country was then the haunt of the In- 
dians wlio held their meetings and also made 
sugar near the log cabin home of the Snider 
family. The entire district was scarcely fit 
for the habitation of white men, for the land 
was full of sloughs and ponds. There were 
large herds of deer and many kinds of smal- 
ler game which furnished the early settlers 
with meat. Mr. Snider lived to rear his 
family and see the country develop from the 
wild region of the frontier into a splendidly 
improved district. His life history, with all 
its pioneer experiences, if written in detail 
would lill a \(ilume, and c\en then the young- 
er generation could not fully realize what 
hardships and trials were endured by the 
pioneer settlers. To them they owe a debt 
of gratitude that can never be repaid, for 
they laid broad and deep the foundation for 
the present development and progress of the 
countv. Johp Snider assisted in felling the 
trees, in clearing the land and aided in or- 
ganizing the township. He was born in the 
year 1797 and passed away November 13, 
18,49. I^is '^^'^^ survi\ed him for several 
years and died in the '70s. Our sui)ject was 



the seventh of their nine children, only four 
of whom are now living : Mrs. Isaac Nor- 
man, a widow who resides in Livingston 
county, Illinois; John B., of Blount town- 
ship: Charles, of this review; and Mrs. 
James H. Gilland, a resident of Kansas. The 
deceased are Asa, Ellen, Hannah, Samuel 
and Wesley. Samuel died during the war 
of the Rebellion. 

Charles Snider pursued his education in 
a subscription school held in a log building, 
supplied with the usual slab benches and 
with greased paper windows. He assisted 
in clearing the home farm. ]ierforming the 
arduous lal)ors of field and meadows through 
the summer months, while in the winter 
season he pursued his studies. He continued 
to work on the home farm until after the 
Civil war began. He was only about eigh- 
teen years of age when on the loth of Au- 
gust, 1862, he ofifered his services to the 
government, enlisting as a member of Com- 
pany D, Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry, under 
the command of Captain William Timmons 
and Colonel William P. Chandler. The 
regiment was sent to St. Louis and then to 
Kentucky, and he participated in the battles 
of Stone River, Chickamaiiga, Mission 
Ridge and Peach Tree Creek. At the last 
named he was wounded, losing his left index 
finger. He also participated in a large num- 
ber of skirmishes and served for three years. 
The regiment then returned to Springfield, 
Illinois, where he was honorably discharged 
and mustered out on the 20th of June. 1865. 
In the meantime he had participated in the 
grand review at Washinglon. D. C... the 
most celebrated military pageant ever seen 
on the western hemisphere. 

At the close of the war Mr. Snider re- 
sumed farm work and stockraising, and in 
order to have a home of his own he was mar- 
ried on the 23d of October, i8(')3, the lady 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1 105 



of his choice heing Miss Margaret Ahhands, 
who was born in Catlin township, June 27, 
1845, ^"^ 's a daughter of Albert and Mar- 
tha. (Willheight) Allhands, who were na- 
tives of IHinois, but both are now deceased. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Snider were Iwrn nine 
clihdren ; George W., who has departed 
this hfe; Nellie, who became the wife of 
Charles Bailey and died leaving three chil- 
dren; James, who is living on the li'6me farm 
and married Emma Hilleary. by whom he 
had three children, Goldie, Otis and Glenn; 
John, deceased ; Ollie, who became the wife 
of George Reeder and died leaving a daugh- 
ter, Daisy; William, Charlie, Julia and Dan- 
iel all of whom have passed away. The 
third child, James, is the only surviving one 
of tlie nine children, and he rents his father's 
farm. All. liowever. reached adult age with 
the exception of the two youngest. Mrs. 
Snider departed this life March 11, 1894. 
She was a devoted and loving wife and 
mother and a most estimable lady. 

Mr. Snider continued farming on the old 
homestead, but is now practically living re- 
tired. He helped to clear about one hun- 
dred acres of land here and has witnessed 
many changes in the county, in the modes of 
life and the methods of farming. His first 
plow was a single shovel, and a single line 
harness was used. He planted corn by hand 
was often assisted in this way, and he cut 
the grain with a cradle. The first trading 
])oint of the family \vas Chicago, and later 
they traded at Perrysville, Indiana, our sub- 
ject hauling- his grain to that place. There 
were few luxuries enjoyed by the early set- 
tlers, and sometimes they were denied the 
comforts of life, but as the years passed and 
the country became more thickly settled such 
comforts were more easily obtained and the 
hardships of the frontier were done away 
with. Mr. Snider never had a tailor-made 



suit of clothes until after he was grown, the 
family doing all the spinning and weaving, 
after which the clothes were made by the 
mothers and daughters. The shoes were al- 
so made at home by a traveling shoemaker 
and each member of the family had but one 
pair a year. Johnnycake was one of the prin- 
cipal articles of diet, and was made by plac- 
ing it upon a smooth board which was then 
set before the fire to bake. Other articles 
of food were cooked in the pots and kettles 
which hung from the crane over the fire- 
l^lace. The first cookstove owned by the 
family was called a step-stove, the legs being 
eighteen inches high. Air. Snider has also 
helped to dip candles before the time when 
candle molds came into use. He can also 
remember how punk was picked from the 
timber and how flint and tow were used in 
striking a fire. As the years have passed all 
of these pioneer conditions have given way 
before the advancement of civilization, and 
Mr. Snider has kept abreast with the prog- 
ress of the times. He to-day owns forty- 
three and one-half acres of valuable land on 
w hich he is making a specialty of the raising 
of fruit, including peaches, apples and plums.* 
He is practically retired from farm life, but 
yet lives upon the old home place where he 
was born. He has served as road super- 
visor for two terms and as school director 
for about three terms, and he belongs to the 
Modern Woodmen Camp at Snider. He is 
justly regarded as one of the substantial citi- 
zens of his township and well deserves honor- 
able ancl prominent mention in the history of 
the Past and Present of \'ermilion County. 



ANDREW J. SIBREL. 

Andrew J. Sibrel, one of the practical and 
thrifty farmers of Vermilion county, own- 
ing three valuable tracts of land, all in Butler 



I io6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



township, now makes his Iionie on section 
15, near the village of Rankin. In February. 
1867, lie arrived in Illinois and has since 
been a resident of this county. He was born 
in Brown county, Ohio, August 4. 1840. 
His father, l-'rederick Sibrcl. was born in 
Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1791 and was a 
son of Nicholas Sibrel, who became one of 
the early settlers of that county. The grand- 
father of our subject was a soldier of the 
Revolutionary war, \-aliantly aiding in the 
struggle for American independence. Fred- 
erick Sibrel was reared in his native county 
and was there maried to Miss Anna Pence 
a native of Adams county, Ohio. Through- 
out his active business life he carried on 
agricultural pursuits, save when he respond- 
ed to iiis country's call for aid. having 
been a soldier of the war of 1812 and again 
in the wars with the Creek Indians. Fie 
resided for many years in Brown and Adams 
counties. Ohio, but in later life he became a 
resident of Illinois, settling here in 1873. 
He spent liis last years among his children, 
dying in Vermilion county in 1881, at the 
ripe old age of nearly ninety years. His wife 
had ])assed away in Ohio in 1871. In their 
family were three children, all of whom are 
living, the subject of this review being the 
youngest. The father was twice married 
and by his first imion he had seven children, 
but only one of that family survive. 

In the state of his nativity A. J. Sibrel 
spent the davs of his boyhood and youth, 
assisting in the work of the home farm. To 
.some extent he attended the cotuiuon schools 
but his education has largely been accpiired 
through reading, observation and experience. 
He was married in .\(lams cimnty. ( )liio. 
October 31, 1861, to Miss FJizabcth Pence, 
a native of that county, reared and educUed 
there. Iler father, J-Jenjamin Pence, was 
also l)orn in Ohio, and his wife bore the 



maiden name of Drucilla Brad)'. -She was a 
relative of Captain lirady, the noted Indian 
fighter. 

In 1862 Mr. Sibrel left his young wife 
;m(l went to the field of battle, joining the 
Se\'cntietli Ohio Inf;mtrv as a member of 
Comi)anv K. the regiment was attached tt) 
the army of the Tennessee and the first b.'ittle 
in which he participated was at Shiloh. lie 
was also in the engagement at Corinth and 
in the Vicksburg" campaign, including the 
siege and capture of the city. Later he was 
in the second battle of Jack.son. Mississippi, 
where he narrowly escaped death. A six 
poimd shot pierced his clothing and carried 
away the picture of his wife and child from 
the pocket of his blouse, but he was not 
wounded. Later he returned to \"icksl)urg 
and afterward went to Memphis and was in 
the battle of Chattanooga. From there the 
command was ordered to Knoxville to re- 
lieve Burnsides and later took part in the 
.\llanta cami)aign. including the battle of 
Resaca and other important engagements, 
ending with the capture of the city of 
Atlanta. With Sherman's celebrated army 
Mr. Sibrel marched to the sea and his di- 
vision under General Hazen charged upon 
and ca])tured Fort Mc.Mlister. After the 
capture of these jilaces .Mr. Sibrel's company 
presented him with a fine sword, which he 
still retains and prizes very highly. He 
aided in the capture of Savannah and sub- 
sequentlv marched through Richmond and 
on to Washington, where he participatcil in 
the grand re\ie\v at the close of the war. 
The regiment \v;is then ordered to Louis- 
ville, Kentucky, and from there to Little 
Rock. Arkansas, where after doing guard 
dutv for a \vhile .\lr. Sibrel was mustered 
out on the 4th of .\ugust, 1865. Returning 
home he was honor;ibly discharged at Camp 
nennisoii. .August 26. i86v He joined the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1 107 



army as a private, was pronioted to the rank 
of first sergeant and later to that of first 
lieutenant, ser\'ing in that capacity until tlie 
close of the war. He was a member of the 
army for three years and eight months and 
was ever found at his post of duty. He 
spent no time in the hospital and during his 
furlough he veteranized, for he had resolved 
to see the close of the war and the final tri- 
umph of the union arms. 

When this splendid result was accom- 
plished Mr. Sibrel returned to his Ohio 
home, where he engaged in farming for a 
year and early in the spring of 1867 he came 
to Illinois, settling in Vermilion county. For 
a time he leased a tract of land, which he 
broke and fenced, opening up a good farm. 
Later he purchased a part of that place and 
also added other lands, until he had a farm 
of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which 
he made excellent iinpro\-ements. Subse- 
quently he sold a part of that and made other 
purchases and to-day he owns one hundred 
and twenty acres of the old home place, a 
second farm of eighty acres and the farm of 
forty acres upon which he resides, and all 
of this land is under a high state of culti- 
\'ation and well improved with substantial 
buildings. He commenced life in Illinois a 
poor man, but he has worked earnestly and 
long' and his labors have been the means of 
bringing to him splendid success. His 
property interests are now valuable and re- 
turn to him a good income and he is ac- 
counted one of the substantial agriculturists 
of Butler township. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Sibrel has 
been blessed \vith six children : Minnie L., 
now the wife of Jacob Corbin of Oklahoma : 
Arthur F., who is married and follows 
farming on his father's land : .Andrew J., 
who is married and operates the old home 
place: Charles E., who is married and li\'es 



in Oklahoma; Etha 1., who is the wife of 
Granville Martin, of Oklahoma; and Oscar 
\V., who is married and resides with his 
parents. They also lost several children : 
Celia E., who dietl in Ohio at the age of four 
years ; Sherman, who died at the age of two 
years; one that died in infancy; Cora, who 
died at the age of nineteen years ; and Hallie 
Daisy, who died at the age of seventeen 
years. 

Mr. Sibrel cast his first presidential vote 
for General George B. McClellan, while in 
the army in 1864 and has always been a 
stalwart Jackson Democrat, voting for each 
presidential nominee of the party. At local 
elections, howe\-er, he is independent, cast- 
ing his ballot for the men and measures that 
he belie\-es will best promote the general 
good. He was elected and served for six 
years as commissioner of highways, for three 
years as township collector, and for four 
years he was postmaster of Rankin under 
President Cleveland's second administration. 
He has served altogether for nine years as 
a memljer of the county board of supervisors, 
acting in that ca])acity during the last period 
for six consccuti\'e years. He has frequently 
been a delegate to county, congressional and 
state conventions of his party and he has 
always been found a capable officer, prompt 
and loyal in the dispatch of his duties. Both 
he and his wife are members of the Free 
Methodist church at Sugar Grove. He is 
serving as one of its officers and has been a 
lav delegate to si.x or more of the annual 
conventions of the church and was sent to 
Chicage as a delegate during the convention 
from October 12 to 26, 1898. Mr. Sibrel 
has long witnessed the growth and progress 
of the county and at all times has been deqjly 
interested in what it has accomplished along 
lines of impro\'emcnt. The qualities which 
made him a good soldier Iia\'e also made him 



iio8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



a good citizen aud lie is justly accounted one 
of the representative men of Butler town- 
ship. 

♦ » » 

JOHN J. CAMPBELL. 

John J. Campbell, a, prominent and well 
known farmer and stock-raiser of Vermilion 
county, was born March i, 1854. in Newell 
township and spent his boyhood days upon 
his father's farm.. He is a son of Corydon 
H. Campbell, who was born in Seneca coun- 
ty, New York, December 19, 1825. The 
paternal ^grandparents of our subject were 
John and Elmira (Hewett) Campbell. 
Corydon Campbell in early life largely lived 
in the west where he was engaged in driving 
stock, and in 1840 he went to Missouri 
where he remained for seven years. In the 
meantime he bought and drove hogs to the 
Cherokee Nation of the Indian Territory and 
returned with cattle to Milwaukee, Wis- 
consin, taking herds through from the 
Nation to Milwaukee. For many years 
he devoted his attention largely to 
the breeding of blooded stock and he 
was regarded as one of the best judges of 
stock in his portion of the country, while his 
reputation as a breeder extended over hun- 
dreds of miles. He was particularly well 
known to the farming and stock-raising class 
and his business interests became extensive. 
A man of literary tastes he always read ex- 
tensively and was well posted on general sul)- 
jects as well as upon matters relating to his 
particular line of business. He had a great 
liking for and was a breeder of fine grades 
of shorthorn cattle and owned excellent 
herds of this stock during his pioneer resi- 
dence in Vermilion county. While con- 
trolling and carrying on an extensive busi- 
ness he also found time and opportunity to 



devote to the general good and was identi- 
fied with the upbuilding of schools and 
churcljes here, in fact was ever ready to 
further any movement calculated to promote 
the general welfare. Corydon Campbell has 
been three times married. He first wedded 
Julia A. Howard, on the nth of November, 
1849, ^"^' "" the 1st of August, 1850, he 
was called upon to mourn the loss of his 
wife. On the 22d of Noven-tber, 1852. he 
wedded Mary A. Brittingham, who died 
March 13, 1869, and on the ist of January, 
1870, he wedded Sarah E. Currant. In his 
declining years Corydon Campbell has lived 
a retired life. There is probadly no man in 
Vermilion county more widely known, for 
from pioneer times to the present he has 
taken an active and helpful interest in every- 
thing pertaining to its development and prog- 
ress. Many men have called upon him for 
counsel and his advice has been freely given. 
He has been a faithful and helpful neighbor 
and citizen and the qualities of his manhootl 
have been such as to commend him to the 
confidence and regard of all with whom he 
has been associated. His life history, if 
written in detail, would make a most read- 
able chapter not free from exciting incidents 
for during his residence in the southwest he 
had many experiences beyond the ordinary 
ones, 

John J. Campbell is the eldest of three 
sons, the others being Joseph B. and Ben- 
jamin. Having acquired a common school 
education, at the age of nineteen he entered 
college at Crawfords\ilIe, Indiana, where he 
spent one year. He then engaged "in farm- 
ing on his own account for sixteen years, 
after which he removed to Danville and be- 
came connected with the grocery trade, in 
which he was very successful. For four 
years he conducted this business, after which 
he returned to his farm in Xewcll townsliip, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1 109 



residing for some time in his attractive home 
there, a well appointed brick resilience in 
which he was surrounded with all the com- 
forts of life. His farm consisted of four 
hundred and ninet3'-three acres of the best 
improved land in Vermilion county and on 
it are substantial and commodious buildings. 
Like his father Mr. Campbell is an excellent 
judge of stock and is well read on the 
subject. His opinions regarding stock are 
seldom if ever at fault and he has been 
extensively interested in dealing in shorthorn 
cattle of the Bates and Pomoto breeds. He 
is also very fond of fine horses and has some 
excellent specimens of the Cleveland Bays. 
In partnership with his brothers he conducts 
a large meat business in Danville, the only 
packing house. They are carrying on an ex- 
tensive wholesale trade on West North street. 
Our subject is also interested in other enter- 
prises in Danville, owning a fourth interest 
in the Danville Democrat, which is one of 
the popular and largest circulated news- 
papers of the county. 

Mr. Campbell was united in marriage to 
Catherine Gernand, who was born October 
17, 1856, a daughter of John H. and Lena 
(Homan) Gernand, both of whom were 
natives of Pennsylvania, and became pioneer 
settlers of Vermilion county, at which time 
they took up their abode on a farm a mile 
north of Danville, where the father is still 
living. The mother passed away October 16, 
1863. Mrs. Campbell was educated in Dan- 
ville and there reared to womanhood. She 
is the eldest in a family of three children and 
has become the mother of four children : 
Charles G., who married Miss Nellie Dale, 
a daughter of John W. Dale, of Danville; 
Stella E., the wife of J. E. Dick, of Craw- 
fordsville, Indiana ; and Nellie A. and Nettie 
at home. 

Mr. Campbell is a member of the 



Masonic fraternity and in his political views 
is a Democrat. He is pre-eminently a man 
of affairs and his life is typical of the pro- 
gressive and growing spirit of the west. 
I'^rom his boyhood down to the present he 
has been active in business affairs, making 
the most of his opportunities, utilizing every 
advantage and thus progressing on the road 
to wealth and afiluence. 



ADDISON E. CODDINGTON. 

The field of political and militarv life is 
limited. Its honors can be won by few, but 
the opportunities of business are limitless 
and the man of strong purpose and laudable 
ambition whose business methods are honor- 
able and principles are correct can steadily 
advance until he finds himself among the 
leading representatives of trade interests in 
the community in which he makes his home. 
Such has been the course of Addison E. 
Coddington. He was born in Jeffersonville, 
Indiana, August 15, 1858, and comes of one 
of the 'early American families that was 
founded in the new world in colonial days. 
The ancestry can be traced back to William 
Coddington, who was governor of Rhode 
Island, and the descendants of his family are 
now very numerous. 

Robert Coddington, the father of our 
subject, was born in Bath, Steuben county, 
New York, August 14, 1824, and at an early 
day went to Cleveland, Ohio, with his par- 
ents, who died in that city. At the age of 
fifteen he began earning his own livelihood 
and although his educational privileges were 
somewhat meager and his financial advan- 
tages were naught, he possessed ambition 
and industry and upon that foundation he 
builded his success. For a few \-ears he was 



II lO 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



ei)iploye(l in |)acking houses, lixing first in 
Cincinnati and afterward in St. Louis. In 
i860 he Ijccame a representative of the retail 
grocery business, in wliich he continued un- 
til 1868. when he l)ecame a wholesale 
{jrocer and in 1875 established the lirst 
wholesale grocery house in Danville. As the 
years advanced he built up an extensive busi- 
ness which not only proved of value to him- 
self, but greatly added In the ])r(igress and 
commercial prosperity of this city. The 
enterprise was conducted under the tirm 
name of R. Coddington & Company until 
1889. when, on account of failing heaitli, 
Mr. Coddington went to the west, locating 
in Kearney, Nebraska, while his partners, 
i'eyton & Palmer, succeeded in the business. 
Mr. Coddington, however, continued in the 
wholesale grocery trade in Kearney until his 
death in A])ril, 1900. In early manhood 
Robert Coddington had married Miss Eliza 
Northan. a native of Jeffersonville, Indiana, 
and they became the parents of five children : 
Addison E. ; Mrs. E. A. Barnett, of Chicago, 
Illinois; Robert, who married Ida Cummings 
and lives with his mother; Mrs. Hollings- 
wfirth, who is also with her mother; and 
iMuma. who died al the age of seven years. 
Robert Coddington was a man of marked 
business ability and great personal worth. 
.\long the lines of consecutive endeavor he 
won prosperity and his name was ever a 
synonym for straightforward dealing in all 
business transactions. 

Addi.son E. Coddington obtained a com- 
mon school education in jeffersonville, Indi- 
ana, and completed the high-school course 
there. When he put aside his text books he 
entered his father's wholesale grocery house 
and has since been identified with this line 
f)f commercial activity. He was with his 
father in Kearney but on account of failing 
health retiu'ucd to l)an\ille and with his 



knowledge of the business he entered the 
present firm and now manages the extensive 
trade of the Danville Wholesale Grocery 
Company, of which he is the president. This 
firm is represented by four tra\eling sales- 
men u])on the road and two men who look 
after the city trade. The building occupieil 
by the company is located cjn the south side 
of the Wabash & Cairo division of the Big 
I'Our Railroad tracks and on the west is a 
side track from the Chicago & Eastern Illi- 
nois Railroad so that excellent shi])ping 
facilities are afforded. There is also a 
frontage of one hundred and ninety-nine 
feet on North street. The favorable lo- 
cation ot the house saves the company a 
large amount of drayage and the contents 
of a dozen cars can be handled in a few 
hours. The btiilding is a modem stnicture, 
equipped throughout with every conven- 
ience for facilitating the work. The busi- 
ness has reached extensive and profitable 
proportions and the practical exi)erience of 
Mr. Coddington and his marked business 
enterprise have been the controlling factors 
in the success of the house. 

On the 17th of November, 1885, oc- 
curred llic marriage of Addison E. Codding- 
ton and Miss Fannie Brown, of Crawfords- 
ville, Indiana, a daughter of one of the 
prominent families of that i)lace. Her 
father, John S. Urown, engaged in pork 
{jacking at an early day and later devoted 
his energies to general merchandising, in 
which he continued until 1880, since which 
linic he has lived retired. He married Miss 
Anna Blair, also of Indiana and they be- 
came the parents of two children, but the 
son is deceased. Mrs. Coddington, who was 
the younger, was born Novem!)er 6, 1859, 
and obtained her education in the home 
schools of Crawfordsville, Indiana. She is 
now the mother of four children: Helen 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1 1 1 



Blair, wlio is now a student in tlie Danville 
liigh school ; Addison, Clara Brown and 
Mary Vance, all yet under the parental 
roof. 

A prominent Mason, Mr. Coddington 
has attained the thirty-second degree of the 
Scottish rite, belonging to Oriental Consis- 
tory and he is also a member of the Mystic 
Shrine. He votes the Republican ticket and 
with his family attends the services of the 
Episcopalian church. Success is an innate 
attribute in the individual and no matter 
in how much fantastic theorizing one may 
indulge regarding success, the fact staterl 
always stands unquestioned. It is true that 
Mr. Coddington entered u]J(mi a business in 
early life that was already established, but 
an understanding of business principles, a 
power of capable management and of keen 
discernment cannot be inlierited. These 
nnist be de\eloped through exi)erience and 
labor and the effort which he put forth 
mastered business principles and to control 
capably the interests which he had charge 
resulted in making him one of the foremost 
re])resentatives of trade circles now living 
in Danville. His wdrtli in commercial life 
is widely acknowledged and the means 
which he employed in securing success are 
such as may profitably be followed by all 
wlio desire advancement in commercial 
lines. 



DANIEL BROWN. 



Among the men whose labor long con- 
tinued and well applied has brought to them 
a competence sufficient to enable them to 
now rest from further toil is luimbered 
Daniel Browm, of Hoopeston. He was born 
in Westmorelancl county, Pennsylvania, in 
1(837. His father, George Brown, was like- 



wise a native of that state and was of Irish 
descent. His birth occurred here in 1795 
and he passed away in 1866. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Rachel Karr, was 
born in Pennsylvania in 1790 and she, too. 
was of Irish lineage. In the family of this 
worthy couple were originally eleven chil- 
dren, of whom our subject is the youngest. 
He now has but one sur\'iving brother, 
George W. Brown, a resident of Indianap- 
olis, and the sisters have all passed away. 

Daniel Brown was quite young when 
he accompanied his parents on their remov- 
al from Pennsylvania to Clark county, 
Ohio. The father followed farming near 
Springfield and our subject provided for his 
own support during a part of his residence 
in that locality by chopping wood for 
twenty-five cents per cord. When he was 
nineteen years of age the family removed to 
McLean county, Illinois, arriving in April, 
1856. Two years later Daniel Brown left 
home and made preparations for having a 
home of his own by his marriage to Sarah 
E. Tucker, whose ])eople were Virginians. 
Her grandfather, Stephen Tucker, was a 
slaveholder of the Old Dominion, but in the 
'40s he freed his slaves and removed to 
Ohio. Some of the freedmen, liowever, 
accompanied him and remained with him in 
the free state. The family was a very 
prominent one in Virginia. The father was 
a stage driver in Ohio at an early day and 
later he came to Illinois, but after a few 
years he returned to Ohio where he died. 
His first wife passed away when Mrs. 
Brown was but two years of age. She was 
born in Zanes\'ille, Ohio, in 1838. Her pa- 
rents had but two children and the sister of 
Mrs. Brown is now deceased. After the 
death of his first wife her father married 
Miss Sarah Evert. 

At the time nf liis marriage Mr. Brown 



I I 12 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



liad but six dollars in money, and yet 
through the forty years of his married hfe 
he lias never pmxhased a single article on 
credit. In the year 1870 he came to Ver- 
milion county, before a railroad was built, 
and later he assisted in grading the Muncie 
& Bloomington road, now the Lake Erie 
«& Western Railroad. In 1870 he purchased 
land near East Lynn for thirteen dollars 
per acre. It was covered with wild prairie 
grass and the unbroken jirairie extended 
from his place to Hoopeston. He became 
the owner of eighty acres which he im- 
proved, developing a good farm four miles 
west of Hoopeston, and there he now has 
one hundred and sixty acres of valuable 
land. Removing to East Lynn he was en- 
gaged in the grain and stock business for 
twelve years, meeting with excellent suc- 
cess in his undertakings. He then worked 
at the carpenter's trade and was engaged in 
the construction of bridges throughout this 
part of the county. In the fall of 1894 
he removed to Hoopeston, purchasing prop- 
erty on East Main street at the comer of 
Third street. Here he has done some carpen- 
try work, but largely looks after his farm- 
ing interests, his farm being rented and re- 
turning to him a fair income. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brown 
was celebrated in Bloomington, Illinois, in 
1858, and has been blessed with two daugh- 
ters, Martha J. and Maggie. Both were 
well educated and successfully engaged in 
teaching prior to their marriage. The 
former is now the wfe of Nicholas Dold, 
a tailor of Indianapolis, Indiana, and the 
latter is the wife of E. R. Cole, who is 
deputy clerk of the comls at Crown Point, 
Indiana. 

For about thirty-fi\e years Mr. Brown 
has been a member of the Baptist church 
and through a long ])criod served as deacon 



of the church at East Lynn. In politics 
he is a stalwart Prohibitionist, and he has 
served as assessor, collector and highway 
commissioner in Fountain Creek township. 
Iroquois county. His life has been an 
honorable and upright one and in his his- 
tory there are no chapters which he wishes 
to disguise. On account of his health he 
spent the winters of 1901-02 in Florida. He- 
is now living retired in Hoopeston, where 
he and his wife occupy a very pleasant 
home in the midst of a large circle of 
friends. 



\\TLLL\:\I M. McMILLlX. 

William 'M. AIcMillin is a farmer and 
is a respected citizen of Blount township, 
where he has lived from early pioneer 
times, watching with interest the progress 
and dex'elopment of the county as it has 
merged from fnmtier conditions to take its 
place among the leading counties of this 
great commonwealth. Mr. McMillin was 
born in Franklin county, Ohio. October 2j. 
1822, his parents being William and Eliza- 
beth I\IcMillin. They came to the west 
when our subject was- twelve years of age. 
traveling overland in a covered wagon and 
arriving in 1831. 'Few roads had been made 
and the country was new and unbroken. 
The forests were still the haunt of deer 
and prairie wolves and there were many 
wild turkeys and prairie chickens. TIil- 
father entered land in Vermilion county, 
securing one hundred and sixty acres on 
section 30, Blount township. He then be- 
gan working and in course of time trans- 
formed the helds into productive tracts of 
land. Mr. McMillin of this re\iew when 
but a boy ran barefooted over the prairies 
both in summer and winter. He assisted 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1113 



in tire arduous task of developing a new 
farm and shared witli the family in all the 
hardships of life on the frontier. There 
were six children but only two are now 
living, the younger brother of our subject 
being Z. L. McMillin, a retired farmer. 
The father made the first plow used here, 
it having a wooden mold board. His next 
one had a single shovel, and the grain was 
cut with a sickle until the cradle came into 
use. Such were the crude farming imple- 
ments with which the pioneers reclaimed 
the land and made it productive. Our sub- 
ject many times assisted his mother in dip- 
ping candles, and flax furnished the gar- 
ments for summer wear, while the sheep 
furnished the wool that was spun for the 
winte.'r clothing. William McM'illin in 
those early days hauled grain and apples 
to Chicago, camping out at night by the 
wayside. The present metropolitan city, 
now the second in size in the Union, was 
then but a village and Danville was a little 
hamlet, containing only a few buildings. 
The father furnished the timber that was 
used in constructing the first courthouse. 
He owned an old sawmill and gristmill in 
addition to his farm, operating these as well 
as ctdtivating the fields. 

William McMillin attended school in an 
old log building, furnished with slab 
benches, and an immense fire place occu- 
pied one entire end of the building. The 
first house in which he lived was a log 
cabin. The first frame house which his 
father built stands on the east side of the 
bridge on the road leading to our subject's 
home and the old original roof is still there. 
The father was among the prominent and 
influential residents of Vermilion county at 
an early day and our subject assisted in the 
work of cultivating and improving the 
fields, while in the winter months he at- 



tended school. In his twentieth year he 
started out in life for himself. 

He has been three times married, his 
present wife having borne the maiden name 
of Nancy Snyder. His first wife was 
Catherine Swimford and his second wife 
bore the maiden name of Nancy Martin. 
By that marriage there were three children : 
James ; Nora, now the wife of Johnson 
Knight; and Nancy, the wife of Orin 
Knight. 

Throughout the greater part of his busi- 
ness career Mr. McMillin has carried on 
general agricultural pursuits and stock- 
raising but he has now deeded his land to 
his wife and children and he is largely living 
retired. He served as school director for 
a number of years and in his early life he 
gave his political support to the Whig 
party, while at the present time he votes 
\vith the Republican party. The farm up- 
on which he is now living was purchased 
by his father for three dollars per acre. It 
is a valuable tract of land and is splendidly 
cultivated, being equipped with all modern 
accessories. Mr. McMillin had four hun- 
dred acres and his agricultural possessions 
were not only extensive but valuable. Both 
he and his wife hold membership in the 
Christian church and are people of sterling 
worth, ever loyal to the truth and to the 
right. 



EDWARD McCUSKER. 

Prominent among the energetic, enter- 
prising and successful business men of Dan- 
ville is Edward McCusker, member of the 
well known firm of Iving & McCusker, 
wholesale dealers in fruit, produce and 
fancy groceries. Mr. McCusker was born 
in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on the 29th 



1 1 14 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



of January. 1855. His father and mother 
were lx)rn in Ireland and came to this 
country in cliildliood. "Tliis remote con- 
nection with Ireland," says Mr. McCusker, 
"dates about half way back to the time of 
the Mayflower, and almost deprives me of 
any rig^ht to claim to be 'Irish,' though the 
Irish aggressive character is a thing which 
any man may rightfully be proud of pos- 
sessing." When our subject was a small 
boy the family removed to Williamsport, 
Indiana, where his father engaged in dray- 
ing for some time, and "Ed," as he is 
familiarly called, was one of the draymen, 
or rather a drayboy. 

Edward AlcCusker acquired a good 
practical education in the schools of Will- 
iamsport, supplemented largely by night 
study and reading later on in life. Starting 
out in life for himself at the age of eighteen 
years, he came to Danville, Illinois, and 
entered the employ of Charles Moran as a 
clerk in the grocery store at Xo. 140 East 
Main street, remaining with him until the 
spring of 1881, when in partnership with 
M. E. King, he bought out his employer, 
each ])utting in one thousand dollars. Of this 
sum Mr. McCusker had t<) borrow the most 
part, but within a year the success of the 
firm enabled him to pay back the loan. 
The firm of King & McCusker changed the 
l)usiness from a grocery to a wholesale 
l)roduce and commission house within the 
first year. But during the first ten years of 
its existence the firm carried on a retail as 
well as a wholesale business, and for the 
past decade have given their attention 
wholly to the wholesale trade, and their 
business now is second to few houses of 
the kind in the state. 

In 18S6 Mr. Cu.sker was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Ellen Maher. of Toledo, 
Ohio, antl to them ha\'c been born five 



children as follows: Leo, Robert, Heiai, 
Paul and I lerbert. 

Politically Mr. McCusker is now a 
Democrat, though up to 1892 he supported 
the Republican party and for some years 
be ser\cd as secretary of the Republican 
county central committee, taking a very 
active and influential part in local jxilitics. 
He is popular in social as well as ]X)litical 
and business circles, being a prominent 
memliers of many fraternal societies. Re- 
ligiously he is a member of St. Patrick's 
("atholic church of Danville. .Mr. Mc- 
Cusker belongs to that class of men whom 
the world terms self-made, for he came to 
this county empty-handed, and has con- 
quered all the obstacles in the path to suc- 
cess. He is to-day the owner of consider- 
able real estate besides his business property, 
having purchased residence properties 
which he improves and then sells (ir rents, 
thus aug'menting his income in no small 
degree. In business affairs he has steadily 
prospered and has not only secured for him- 
self a Ixandsome competence, but by his 
efforts has materially advanced the interests 
of the community with which lie is associ- 
ated. He, therefore, ranks among Dan- 
ville's most valued and pulilic spirited 

citizens. 

•» » » 

L. .\. CHESLEY. 

Manv there arc who claim that the suc- 
cessful man is he who is favored by fortune 
or by friends, and to those who thus voice 
harping criticism and lack of ap])reciation 
he it said that history has .again and again 
proven what the poet has« expressed, "There 
is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken 
at the flood leads on to fortune." Op- 
portunity comes to all and it is the man 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1115 



who recognizes that the present and not the 
future holds his opportunity, that advances 
in the world of industrial or commercial 
activity. At the age of fourteen L. A.- 
Chesley started upon his business career 
empty-handed but with resolute purpose 
and strong determination. These qualities 
have been a foundation upon which he has 
builded his success, and Danville honors 
him as one of its native sons. 

He was born in this city, March 2, 
1863, the son of a distinguished father, 
Robert V. Chesley, who was very promi- 
nent here at an early day and who is rqj- 
resented elsewhere in this volume. The son 
attended the public schools until he had 
entered the high school, when he was 
obliged to put aside his text books. His 
father had intended that he should become 
a lawyer, but death changed his plans, anil 
when left fatherless L, A. Chesley found 
it necessary to provide for his own support. 
He was then but fourteen years of age, at 
which time he entered upon an apprentice- 
ship to his uncle, William Reynolds, who 
was engaged in the jewelry business. He 
found after a year that his work was too 
confining and he then entered the employ 
of Villers Brothers, proprietors of a large 
general store, acting as their bookkeeper. 
Two years later he took charge of the office 
of Owens & Pixley, clothiers, with whom 
he remained for three years and at the end 
of that time he became manager of the 
white goods department, for the firm of 
Carson, Pirie, Scott & Company, of Chi- 
cago, Illinois. He remained with that house 
for a year and a half and then returning to 
Danville he entered the employ of the 
Stewart L'oundry & Machine Company, 
becoming bookkeeper. As time passed he 
acquired a thorough acquaintance with the 
business, and his ability being recognized 



by Mr. Stewart, he was more and more 
largely trusted with the control of the 
enterprise until he practically had the en- 
tire management of the extensive plant and 
its operations. Since then the success of 
the business has been due in no small degree 
to his efforts and to-day he is the secretary 
and treasurer of the company which in 
1 891 was reorganized and incorporated. 
At that time Mr. Chesley became a part 
owner and has since been very active in 
control of the industry which in size and 
importance is second to none in Danville. 
During all the subsequent years the busi- 
ness has had a steady but marvelous growth, 
requiring annually the addition of shop- 
room, men and machinery. Its output has 
reached mammoth proportions and is sent 
to many parts of the world. Mr. Chesley 
has also made extensive real estate invest- 
ments and has a splendid home and other 
valuable property in his native city. 

On January 9, 1884, occurred the mar- 
riage of L. A. Chesley and Miss Helen 
Stewart, a daughter of William Stewart, 
the founder of the Stewart Foundry & 
Machine Company. 

To Mr. Chesley and wife three children 
have been born : Frederick Goulding, Will- 
iam Stewart and Helen D., all attending- 
the Danville high school. 

Politically Mr. Chesley is a Republican 
and fraternall}' he is connected with the 
Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks and 
also with the Modern Woodmen of 
America. He attends the Presbyterian 
church and is deqjly interested in every- 
thing pertaining to general progress and 
improvement. A man of strong intellect- 
uality, he seems to have inherited much 
of the oratorical power and ability of his 
honored father, who was many times as- 
sociated in the conduct of some of the most 



II i6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



notable law cases for Vermilion county. 
Of Mr. Chesley it can trullifully ho said 
that he is the architect of his own fortunes. 
His life has ]:)een guided and his wealth 
actjuired by his indi\-idual efforts and' in- 
dustry. Upright and honorable, his 
faithful adherence to principle commands 
the respect of all. He is a man of broad 
views, is liberal and charitable, and accords 
to all the perfect right of freedom which 
lie reserves for himself. He has proved 
himself in all life's relations, earnest, up- 
right aiul honest, a good man and a citizen 
of whom any community might justly be 
proud. 



TIIOM.VS J. GEORGE. 

Thomas J. George, who resides on 
section 5. Catlin township, was born in 
Bath county, Kentucky, October 18, 1837, 
a son of Henry George, who was born in 
Virginia and is of English descent, while 
the mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Ann Sharp and was a native of 
Kentucky. About 1850 they removed 
from Kentucky to Indiana and the father 
became a very prominent and influential 
citizen there, holding a number of oftkial 
positions, including that of sheriff' of Tip- 
ton county. He was likewise assessor and 
collector for a number of years and had 
considerable influence in public affairs in his 
localitv. In the family were ten children, 
eight of whom reached years of maturity, 
wiiile seven are now living, namely : Moses, 
of Vermilion county; Thomas J.; Millard: 
.•\nn, now ^Irs. Kinneman of Indianapolis; 
Benjamin Franklin of Indianajxilis : Airs. 
Susan Jackson, of Tipton, Indiana; Joseph 
Marshall, also of Tipton; Persly, Mary 



Ann. Elizabeth Dale and Henry, all of 
whiim are deceased. 

In the year 1856, when nineteen years 
of age. Thomas J. George walked from 
Tipton county, Indiana, to Vermilion coun- 
ty, Illinois, a distance of one hundred miles, 
which he covered in three days. Arriving 
here he found plenty of deer, turkej-s and 
other wild game and there were also many 
prairie and timber wolves, which he would 
frequently chase down on horselxick. He 
began working by the month and for two 
years was employed at farming and in a 
sawmill. He was afterward engaged in 
making slats and posts for a few years. 

.\s a companion and helpmate for life's 
jonniey he chose Rebecca Durham, an 
orphan girl, their marriage occurring De- 
cember 22, 1858. They began their do- 
mestic life upon rented land and later Mr. 
George purchased forty acres of timber 
land which he cleared but never lived uiwn 
that property. He added, however, to his 
landed possession from time to time and he 
now owns three hundred and .seventy-two 
acres of well improved land all situated in 
Catlin township, his home being on section 
5. In addition to this he has eight acres 
in Blount tovvnsliip. Mis first home was 
a ])lank house fifteen feet square, provided 
witli one window and one door and an out- 
side chimney made of mud and sticks. In 
that he lived for ten years and there he and 
his wife reared their family of four children. 
Later tlicir hnme was a log cabin situated 
on the site of their present residence. In 
1874 Mr. George built his substantial and 
attractive home aiid he is now living in 
practical retirement from labor, the active 
work of the farm being performed by 
others. 

In 1 89 1 Mr. George was called upon to 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1117 



muurn the loss of his first wife who died 
on the nth of May of that year, at the age 
of forty-nine years, nine months and nine 
days, her birth having occurred September 
2, 1841. She had been to him a most 
faithful companion and helpmate on life's 
journey and had greatly assisted him in 
acquiring a competence. By that marriage 
there were the following children : Millard, 
the wife of John White of Vermilion coun- 
ty; Mrs. M. E. Amis: Charles, who mar- 
ried Elizabeth Hallat of Vermilion coun- 
ty: Thomas H., who married Rachel Sims 
and lives upon the home farm; Bertha, the 
wife of Oscar West of this- county; Henry, 
01i\e and Dora, all deceased ; and one that 
died in infancy. For his second wife Mr. 
George chose Virginia Kestler, who was 
then a widow. They had four children of 
whom Grover and Cleveland, twins, and 
Helen are still li\ing. but Nellie is de- 
ceased. 

Mr. George served as school trustee for 
nine years and as school director for twenty- 
nine years. * He assisted in erecting the 
schools of this district and also aided in 
building nearly all of the churches in this 
part of the county. From pioneer times he 
has resided here and his memory goes back 
to the day when the single shovel plow was 
used in the fields and when corn was 
planted by hand, while grain was cut with a 
reap-hook and afterward with a cradle. Mr. 
George owned the first drop rake in this 
county and the first self-binder in the 
neighborhood and people would come five 
miles to see the latter machine operated. 
For his first forty acres of land he paid 
two and one-half dollars per acre, but farm 
land in this section of the state is now very 
valuable. He raised much stock, including 
horses and cattle, making a specialty of the 
shorthorn and Durham cattle. He now has 



forty head of horses and cattle and fifty 
head of hogs. " His farm is splendidly 
equipped with all modern improvements 
and is very rich and productive. All that 
he possesses has been acquired through his 
own labors and not only have great changes 
occurred in the county but also in his 
financial condition for he came to this lo- 
cality empty-handed and to-day he is num- 
bered among its prosperous citizens. 



SPENCER CLINE. 



Xo history of Vermilion county would 
be complete without the record of Spencer 
Cline, who for many years assisted materi- 
ally in the improvement and upbuilding of 
the county as a representative of its agri- 
cultural interests. He was born in Ken- 
tucky, August 13, 181 2, and was of Ger- 
man and Scotch extraction. His parents, 
John D. C. and Catherine (Shumate) 
Cline, came to this county in 1829, when 
the work of progress and improvement had 
scarcely been begun and often would atten<l 
the Indian meetings here. The father was 
a potter by trade and frequently made trips 
as far north as Wisconsin in order to dis- 
pose of his wares. He also traveled along 
the Sangamon river, selling his goods. 

Spencer Cline acquired his education in 
the schools of his native state and when a 
young man of seventeen accompanied his 
parents to Vermilion county, where he 
lived until called to his final rest. He as- 
sisted in the arduous task of developing a 
new farm and the hardships and trials in- 
cident to life on the frontier became 
familiar to him through actual experience. 
He was married in 1840 and then began 
farming- and stock-raising on his own ac- 



Iii8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



count, living on section 26, Blount town- 
ship — tlie old homestead on which his par- 
ents had lived and tlied. The house which 
still stands here is now about seventy-two 
years old and in it the widow of our 
subject is yet living and expects to spend 
her remaining life here. .After coming to 
Illinois Spencer Cline knew no other home. 
On the 8th of October, 1840, he wedded 
Rachel Shephard, who was of Scotch 
lienage and a daughter oi Louis and Celia 
(McCreary) Shephard, both natives of 
Burke county, North Carolina. Mrs. Clinc 
was born in the same state, December 24. 
1819, and attended school there. Subse- 
quently her i)arents removed to Terre 
Haute. Indiana, where she continued her 
education, remaining there until she 
reached womanhood. She was eighty- 
three years of age in December, 1902, and 
is one of the honored pioneer ladies, whose 
memory forms a connecting link between 
the primitive past and the progressive 
present. 

Spencer Cline assisted in clearing the 
old home farm. The land here was entered 
by his father from the government and not 
a furrow had been turned or an improve- 
ment made upon the place. .Ml of the pio- 
neer conditions of Vermilion county were 
familiar to Mr. and Mrs. Cline. 

Danville contained but two stores and 
a Baptist church when Mrs. Cline came to 
Vermilion county. The milling was done 
at Covington. Indiana, and the country was 
all covered with timber or Stretched away 
as an unbroken prairie for miles. The 
meals were largelv cooked in great iron pots 
or kettles which were bung from the crane 
that extended over the lire place. liread 
and pies were baked in a skillet which was 
covered over and then coals placed u])on it 
The jolinnv cake, a frc(|uent article of food 



at that time, was baked upon a board placed 
before the tire. .Mrs. Cline still has in her 
I)ossession an old timepiece called a spring 
clock, which is more than seventy years 
old. 

L'nto cjur subject and his wife were born 
ten children, se\'en of whom reached ma- 
ture years, while three are now living: 
I );i\ id C. : 1 .cwis, who married Eliza Demoss 
and iiad li\e children, their home being in 
Blount townshi]); and Margaret, the wife 
of John P. Stuckey, by whom she bad nine 
children, sex'en of whom are yet living. 

Mr. Cline was called to his final rest 
March 27, 1893, at the age of seventy-nine 
years and five months. He was long a 
consistent memljer of the Christian church 
and Mrs. Cline has been a member of the 
church for about forty years. She is still 
living in the old log-cabin home and has 
twenty acres of ground around her j)lace. 
This is largely i)lanted to blackberries, 
pears, peaches and apples and the sale of 
her fruit brings her a good income. In the 
early da_\s she spun and wove her own 
clothing, spinning wheels being usetl e.x- 
tensi\ely in the time of her girlhood, but 
as the years passed and cities grew and 
brought with them the ready made materi- 
als from the factories and looms of the 
cast. Her husband, Mr. Cline, w'as at one 
time a member of a party that walked to 
Chicago to help dig the cellar for the first 
brick house erected in that city. He fre- 
i|ucntl\- made trips to Chicago with ox 
teams and returned with s.alt and pro- 
\'isions. 

Da\id C. Clinc. who still lives upon the 
old homestead, where he was born September 
12, 1854, in the log house in which bis 
grandparents and his father lived and died, 
pursued his education' in the district .schools 
and from ;m earl_\- age he assisted in the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1 1 19 



work of the home farm. He continued to 

attend the schools in the winter months 

until eighteen years of age, after which he 

was allowed the privilege of attending 

throughout the year until he attained his 

majority. Since that time he has given his 

attention exclusively to agricultural and 

horticultural pursuits and is now engaged 

in the raising of all kinds of fruit and 

vegetables for the city markets. In this he 

has been quite successful, establishing a 

large trade, and his business has brought 

to him a comfortable income. In politics 

he is independent, voting not for party but 

for men and measures, and for nine years 

he has served his district as school 

director. 

■« « » 

HENRY S. FRANCE. 

Henry S. France, who owns and op- 
erates a farm of about t\\x> hundred acres 
on section 7, Butler township, has a rich 
and valuable tract of land pleasantly located 
a mile and three-quarters from Rankin. 
He is numbered among the old settlers of 
the state, dating his residence in Illinois 
from 1 861, while his home has been in 
Vermilion county since 1875. Mr. France 
is a native of Ohio, his birth having oc- 
curred near Zanesville, Muskingum county, 
on the 25th of November, 1838. His 
father, Jacob France, was a son of John 
France, who was of German parentage and 
the family was established in Virginia at 
an early day in colonial history. Jacob 
France was born in the Shenandoah Valley 
of Virginia and was there reared. When 
a young man he went to Ohio and was one 
of the first settlers of Logan county. Later 
he became a resident of Muskingum county, 

where he was married to Phebe Slack, who 
47 



was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, 
and was reared in Philadelphia. Her father, 
John Slack, was one of the first settlers of 
Pennsylvania and owaied land which is 
now a part of the city of Philadelphia. After 
his marriage Jacob France carried on farm- 
ing in Muskingum county, Ohio, and there 
reared his family and spent his last days. 

In taking up the personal history of 
Henry S. France we present to our readers 
the life record of one who is widely and 
favorably known in Vermilion county. He 
was reared in Muskingum county, Ohio, 
where he attended the common schools, re- 
maining with his father until he had at- 
tained his majority. In 1861 he started 
westward, thinking that he might have 
lietter Ijusiness opportunities in Illinois, 
where settlements were not so thick. Ac- 
cordingly he located in Marshall county, 
where he was employed as a farm hand by 
the month for al)out a year. He then 
rented a farm which he cultivated for a 
year, after which he went west to Cali- 
fornia and Nevada, spending some time in 
Virginia City, where he was engaged in 
searching for the precious metal. When 
about twelve months had passed, however, 
he returned to Ohio spending the winter 
of 1864-5 'it his old home in that state. 
In the spring of the latter year he again 
took up his abode in Marshall county, Illi- 
nois, where he rented a farm for three years. 

Mr. France also returned to Ohio for 
his bride and was married in Muskingum 
county on the 3d of January, 1867, to Miss 
Martha J. Dugan, a native of that state, 
reared and educated there. After their 
marriage the young couple returned to Illi- 
nois, beginning their domestic life upon a 
rented farm in Marshall county. After 
one year, however, they removed to La 
Salle county, where Mr. France again 



I I20 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



leased a tract of land. Later he jnircliased 
eighty acres of raw prairie land, not a 
furrow having been turned or an improve- 
ment liaving been made on the property. 
This he broke and fenced, developing a good 
farm, upon wliich he li\-ed for five years, 
wlien lie sold that land at a substantial ad- 
vance in price. He tlien came to \'ermiilion 
county and bought eighty acres wiiere he 
jiow resides. There had been some inipro\-e- 
ments made upon the place and locating 
thereon he took up the work of further de- 
veloping and improving his new property. 
The following year he purchased an ad- 
joining tract of one hundred and eleven 
acres and he now has a farm of nearly two 
liundred acres. He has since erected a good 
neat residence and has recently completed 
a fine new barn. He has other substantial 
outbuildings upon his place, a good orchard 
and fine shade trees. His splendid orchard 
contains many varieties of fruits and is a 
material source of income to him. He has 
tiled and fenced his place and to-day the 
France farm is one of the valual)le prop- 
erties of Butler township and the owner is 
numbered among the substantial residents 
of the community. All this is due to his 
enterprise and strong determination, for 
when he came to the west he was a poor 
man with no capital and all that he now en- 
joys is the result of his enterprise and 
earnest labor. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. France has 
been blessed with four children : Marietta, 
the wife of George Sloan, a substantial 
farmer of Butler township, by whom she 
has two children, Gracie and Bessie; Eliza- 
beth, the wife of John Brenner, who owns 
a farm in White countx'. Indiana, but is 
now living in Iroquois county. Illinois, and 
by whom she has two sons, Ray and Floyd ; 
Cora, the wife of George Stormef, a resi- 



dent farmer of Butler township. \'ermilion 
county, by whom she has two children. 
Earl and Burgess; and Bertha, who is still 
with her parents. 

Politically a Democrat where national is- 
sues are involved, Mr. France cast his first 
ballot for Stephen A. Douglas in i860 antl 
has since \'oted for each presidential nomi- 
nee for the party. In local elections, how- 
ever, he is independent and he has never 
been an office seeker, preferring to give his 
entire time and attention to his farm and 
his business interests. He is a friend of 
education, believing in good schools, and. 
while serving on the school board he did 
eftective service in behalf of the advance- 
ment of the educational standard of this 
locality. He and his wife are devoted and 
consistent members of the Presbyterian 
church and he belongs to the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows of Rankin. For 
forty-one years he has been a resident of 
Illinois and for twenty-six years of \^er- 
milion county and has been identified with 
the wonderful transformation which has 
occurred here, as the prairies have been 
broken and farms fenced, as towns have 
been built and as the work of improvement 
and development has been carried on. 



FRANK II. \'AX ETTEX. 

Prominent in pulitical circles Frank H. 
\'anF.tten has wielded a wide influence in 
Danville and his name is connected with the 
unwritten history which tells of the im- 
provement and development of the city 
through legislation cft'ccted by the board of 
aldermen. He was born in Fort Plain, 
Montgomery county. New York, August 
24, 1857. His father. Peter H. \'anEtten, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



I 121 



was a native of Portlandville, New York, 
and wedded Mary Busli, who was also born 
in the Empire state. Tliey were married at 
Fort Plain and there took up their abode, 
the father engaging in general contracting 
at that place until i860, when he moved 
to Portlandville, and from there he re- 
moved to Schenevus, New York. He then 
became agent for the American Express 
Company and resided there until his death, 
which occurred in 1S80. His political sup- 
port was given to the Democracy. His 
first wife died in 1865, and in 1869 he 
wedded Catherine Seiver, also a native of 
the Empire state and now a resident of 
Troy, New York. By the first marriage 
there were four children, three of whom are 
now living, namely : George, who is agent 
for the Boston & Maine Railroad Compam' 
at Townsend, ^Massachusetts ; Frank H. ; 
and Charles, who is in business at Bucyrus, 
Ohio. By the second union there were three 
children: Minnie, who departed this life 
in March, 1903, in Troy, New York; Isaac, 
who is connected with the Wireless Tele- 
graph Company, at Sagahonac, Long 
Island ; and Nettie, who resides with her 
brother Isaac. 

In the schools of Portlandville and 
Schenevus, New York, Frank H. VanEtten 
pursued his education and in the year 1875 
began work in the employ of the Delaware 
& Hudson River Railroad Company, in the 
capacity of operator at Cooperstowii Junc- 
tion. He remained in the service of the 
company for four years. He next became 
connected with the Montreal Telegraph 
Company at Plattsburg, New York, where 
he resided for three vears and then came to 
Decatur, Illinois, with the Wabash Rail- 
road Company in the capacity of chief 
clerk in the employ of the master mechanic. 
For one year he filled that position and then 



spent six months in the transportation de- 
partment at that point. In 1884 he went 
to Chicago, where he was mad? train dis- 
patcher for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois 
Railroad Company. In 1888 the train dis- 
patcher's ofiice was removed to Danville and 
from 1888 until 1892 he was chief dis- 
patcher and superintendent of telegraph at 
Danville. Through the six succeeding years 
he was dispatcher and in 1S99 was re-ap- 
pointed superintendent of telegraph, a po- 
sition which he has since retained. His 
capability and accuracy in business, system- 
atic methods and dispatch winning -for him 
the approval of those whom he represents. 
On the 17th of February 1886, in Chi- 
cago, Mr. VanEtten was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Adah Zillah Chilton, who was 
born in Nenia, Ohio, September 13th 1865, 
a daughter of Thomas and Jane Anne 
Turner Chilton, both of whom were 
natives of England. Mr. Chilton was born 
and raised in Durham county, England, his 
home was Lady Close. He wedded Jane 
Anne Turner, of Sunderland, who was the 
only child of Stafford Turner, apothecary, « 
and half-sister to Thomas Dixon, who had 
]ierhaps the widest circle of literary acquaint- 
ances of any man in the north of England, 
among them being Charles Kingsley, F. D. 
Maurice, Thomas Carlyle, ]\Iax iMuUer, 
John Stuart IMill, Joseph ]\Iazini, Henry 
Lord Brougham, Bishop Colenso, Walt 
^^'hitman, George Long, J. ]\Iuir, W. R. 
Scott, ^V. M. Rossetti, Professor Legros, 
Tom Taylor, Francis P. Cobbe, Affram 
Black, J.'g. Wilkinsen, W. A. Alcott and 
other highly distinguished individuals. Mr. 
Dixon was one of the most philanthropic, 
liberal minded, g'enial and liest known of his 
country, he took great interest in furthering 
local art and was conspicuous for the assist- 
ance he rendered free libraries and museums. 



I 122 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Among libraries assisted was the Chicago 
Free Library after the fire of 1871. After 
his death his liust was made and placed in the 
Atheneum in Sunderland. England. Mr. 
and Mrs. Chilton were married in Sunder- 
lanil. Durham county, in the Sunderland 
Street Episcopal Church in 1847 and 
came to the United States in JS51, locating 
in Cincinnati, Ohio. They later moved to 
Springfield and then to Xenia, Ohio. There 
they remained until 1871, when they went 
to Chicago, living there until Mr. Chilton's 
death, which occurred in 1898. Mrs. Chilton 
still resides in Chicago and in their family 
were eight children, six of whom are still 
living. Air. Chilton was a Republican in his 
political affiliations. The home of Mr. and 
Mrs. Van Etten has been blessed with two 
sons: Frank C, born in Chicago, November 
12, 1887; and Theodore C, born in Danville, 
August 23, 1892. Mrs. Van Etten takes 
great interest in music and art and is dex'oted 
to her church work and home. 

A Republican with firm faith in the prin- 
ciples of the party, Mr. Van Etten is recog- 
nized as one of its leading members in Dan- 
ville. In 1893 he was elected a member of 
the city council and served for three terms. 
He was chairman of the building committee 
when the city building was erected, and 
chairman of the committee on streets ami 
alleys when the stone arch on East Main 
street was built. He favored every move- 
ment which he believed would promote the 
material advancement and substantial up- 
building of Danville. He has been a member 
of the Republican city central committee and 
his labors iiave been effective antl beneficial 
in aiding party work here. In 1881 he was 
made a Mason in Afton, New York, and has 
since taken the Royal Arch degrees. He 
belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Modern 
Woodmen and Court of Honor fraternities, 



a member, trustee and one of the building 
committee of the Third Church of Christ 
now under construction. He owns realty 
in this city in addition to his own pleasant 
home at the corner of Seminan*- and Gil- 
bert streets and is widely known here as a 
man whose personal worth and business 
ability commend him to the confidence and 
respect of those with whom he has been as- 
sociated. 



FRED BUY. 



Fred Buy is an honored veteran of the 
Civil war, who. at the country's call for aid, 
offered his services to the Union and fought 
for its defense. He is now living on sec- 
tion 36, Blount township, where he owns 
rmd o):)erates a farm of two hundred and 
twenty-nine acres — a splendidly improved 
pro])erty ec[uipped with all modern acces- 
sories and conveniences. Air. Buy is one of 
th.e citizens that Germany has furnished to 
the new world, his birth having occurred in 
the fatherland October 2^,, 1844. When he 
was eleven years of age his parents emi- 
grated to the new world, crossing the .\t- 
lantic in 1857. They settled first in New 
York and the following year came to Ver- 
milion county. The father was a farmer by 
occupaticm and both he and his wife are 
now deceased, the former having passed 
away September 7, 1870, while the latter 
died in December, 1885. They were the 
parents of eight children, of whom two are 
li\ing. the sister of our subject being Mrs. 
Kroul, the wife of Herman Kroul, of Dan- 
ville. 

Lhider the parental roof our subject was 
reared to manhood and assisted in the devel- 
opment of his father's farm. He was thus 
engaged until 1863. when he offered his 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1 123 



services to the g'overnment as a defender of 
the Union and joined the boys in bhte of 
Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth 
Ilhnois Infantry, under the command of 
Captain Laferty. This regiment was as- 
signed to Missouri and after serving for 
one hundred da}-s lie was honorably dis- 
charged, but still the war continued and 
with patriotic spirit he once more enlisted, 
becoming a member of the One Hundred 
and Forty-ninth Infantry in Danville. He 
thus served for another year or until the 
cessation of hostilities. During most of the 
time he was on garrison duty in guarding 
bridges and in 1865 he was honorably dis- 
charged. 

When the country no longer needed his 
services Mr. Buy returned to his home and 
was engaged in clerking in a grocery store 
for a time. In August, 1867, he wedded 
Marv Steulse, who like her husband was ed- 
ucaterl in public schools of this county. 
After his marriage Mr. Buy engaged in the 
grocery business on his own account, suc- 
cessfully conducting his mercantile interests 
until 1 88 1. The following year he pur- 
chased his present home on section 36, 
Blount township, and here he has engaged 
in farming and stock-raising. The land was 
all wild and unimproved at that time but 
he cleared the place, planted trees and has 
made it a yaluable tract of land. He has 
tiled and drained it, erected good buildings 
and has secured all modern equipments un- 
til to-day everything about his place is neat 
and tlu'ifty in appearance, indicating his 
careful supervision and his farm is regarded 
as one of the best of the locality. Whatever 
success Mr. Buy has achieved is due en- 
tirely to his own efforts. He began life by 
working by the month in a woolen factory 
for eight dollars per month and afterward 



was employed as a clerk for one hundred 
dollars per year and his board. Through 
his energy and determination, however, he 
has acquired a competence and at the age of 
twenty-three )'ears he began business on his 
own account. By the exchange, purchase 
and sale of land he has added materially to 
his income and during the past six years he 
has lived practically retired from farm work, 
most of his land being now rented. 

Mrs. Buy has been to her husband a 
faithful companion and helpmate in life's 
journey. They were neighbors in the fa- 
therland and emigrated to America in the 
same ship. They have become the parents 
of eight children : Ed, a grocery merchant 
of Dan\-ille, who married Lou White; Mrs. 
Jennie Rock, of Danville; Carl, at home; 
^^'illiam, who married Gertie Grims and is 
conducting a meat market in Dan\'ille; 
Harry, who married Myrtle \\''alters ; Lula, 
who married Carl Walker, of Danville; 
Mamie and Alice, both at home. The chil- 
dren have been provided with good educa- 
tional pri\-ileges, thereby fitting them for 
life's practical duties. In his political views $ 
Mr. Buy is a Republican and both he and his 
wife are members of the United Brethren 
church. Tliey are most highly esteemed 
people, well known in the community where 
they have long resided and Mr. Buy is as 
true and loyal to his duties of citizenship as 
he was when he followed the Nation's starry 
Ijanner upon the battlefields of the south. 



STEPHEN A. D. ROGERS. 

Stephen A. D. Rogers, a retired farmer 
and a member of one of the oldest families 
of Danville townshi]:), is now living in the 



II24 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



city of Danville, his birth having occurred 
in the township on the i6th of November, 
iS5<S, a son of John B. and Malinda (Moss) 
Rogers, the former a native of New Hamp- 
shire and the latter of Illinois. Samuel 
Rogers, the paternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was also born in the Old Granite state 
and on leaving New England he came with 
his family to the west, settling in Vermilion 
county, Illinois, in 1S32. He took up his 
abode on a farm fi\e miles southeast of Dan- 
ville and there he engaged in the tilling of 
the soil throughout the remainder of his 
days, John B, Rogers was also a farmer of 
Danville township, following that pursuit 
throughout his entire life. He was quite 
prominent in local public afifairs and his 
fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and 
ability, called him to serve in the various 
township offices. He died September 7, 
1900, having for a short time survived his 
wife, who passed away August 16, 1899. 

.Mr. Rogers of this review was their only 
child and in the district schools of Danville 
township he pursued his education, while 
through much of the period of his youth he 
assisted his father in the work of the home 
farm, being thus employed until he had saved 
enough to purchase a small farm of his own. 
He became the owner of a little tract of land 
on section 23, Danville township, and fur- 
ther completed his arrangements for having 
a home of his own by his marriage in 1882 
to Miss Katie E, Wait, who was born in this 
county, September 15, 1857. Her father, 
William Wait, was also born in this county 
and is a representative of one of its oldest 
families. He now resides on a f;irm in Dan- 
ville township which has been his home 
throughout his entire life, covering a period 
of seventy years. He wedded Margaret 
Moudv. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have 



been born two children : ^lyrtle, born in 
December, 18S2; and Grace, born in March, 
1885. 

Mr. Rogers continued to engage in farm- 
ing through many years and as opportunity 
oli'ered he added to his land from time to 
time until his farm now comprises over two 
hundred acres. It is a very rich and valu- 
able tract and to its cultivation our subject 
de\oted his energies imtil 1898. when he 
took up his abode in the city of Danville. 
Each day, however, he drives to his farm, 
but merely supervises it, taking no active 
part in its work. In i)olitics he is a Demo- 
crat. He owns a nice home at Xo. 621 
Wayne street and he well deserves mention 
as one of the representatives of a prominent 
pioneer family and as a citizen of worth in 
the county where his entire life has been 
passed. 



WILLIAM WOLTER. 

William Wolter is now practically living 
a retired life in Danville, but is still the owner 
of extensive business interests connected 
with a wholesale creamery enterprise. He 
was bom on the 23d of April, 1856. in the 
city of Cleveland, Ohio, and is a son of 
Christopher and Elizabeth (Alpar) Wolter, 
both of whom were natives of Hanover, Ger- 
many, whence in the year 1853 they crossed 
the Atlantic to America, taking up their 
abode in Cleveland, The father was a tailor 
by trade and fijllowed his chosen vocation 
in Ohio until 1865, when he again traveled 
westward and this time became a resident of 
Danville, but he had ])reviously joined the 
L'nion army and for one year served as a de- 
fender of the stars and stripes. After com- 
ing to the west he carried on agricultural 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1 125 



pursuits in Damille townsliip, purchasing a 
small tract of land after having purchased a 
house and lot in the city of Danville. 

William W'olter. whose name introduces 
this review, was a lad of nine summers when 
he came with his parents to Vermilion coun- 
ty. He pursued his education in the schools 
of Danville and after he left the schoolroom 
he gave his attention to farming. He also 
drove a team for a few seasons on railroad 
grading, and subsequently he embarked in 
the dairy business for his father, conducting 
the enterprise for nine years with good suc- 
cess. On the expiration of that period he 
began business on his own account and has 
since been identified with this line of indus- 
trial activity, carrying on a wholesale trade. 
Throughout his entire business career Mr. 
Wolter has followed farming, first purchas- 
ing land in Danville township, east of Com- 
mercial street. He has bought and sold 
farms in different parts of the county and is 
now the owner of two hundred and twenty- 
two acres lying partly in Vermilion county 
and partly across the boundary line in Indi- 
ana. All this is under a high state of culti- 
vation and devoted to pasturage purposes, 
and the property returns to him a good in- 
come, while his dairy business is also a 
source of profitable investment. His home 
in Danville is located at No. 614 Wayne 
street. 

On the 1 2th of February, 1884, Mr. 
Wolter was united in marriage to Miss 
Louisa Hauswaldt, a native of Eugene, In- 
diana, and a daughter of Frederick and 
Caroline Hauswaldt, both of whom were na- 
tives of Germany, the father having been 
born in Saxony and the mother in West- 
phalia. The father came to America in 1853 
landing in St. Louis, whence he removed to 
Eugene, Indiana. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Haus- 



waldt were born four children, two of whom 
are now living, the sister of Mrs. Wolter be- 
ing Mary, the wife of Fred Wolter, a brother 
of our subject. The father was a cabinet- 
maker by trade and in early life followed 
that pursuit but later devoted his attention 
to agricultural pursuits. Both he and his 
wife are now deceased. The marriage of 
William Wolter and Louisa Hauswaldt has 
been blessed with four children, namely, 
Frank, William, Nellie and Herbert. 

The family attend the German Lutheran 
church and Mr. Wolter is a member of the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 
and the American Home Circle, while in his 
political views he is a stalwart Republican, 
giving an earnest support to the party and 
its principles. He has served as a member 
of the school board and also as judge of 
elections. Well known in Vermilion county 
where he has resided from his early boyhood 
days his life record has demonstrated the 
power of industr}', diligence and keen dis- 
crimination in the active affairs of life, for 
placing his dependence upon these qualities 
Mr. Wolter has steadily worked his way up- 
ward and is today the possessor of an ex- 
cellent business and property interests as a 
result of his indefatigable enterprise. 



PETER LARSON. 



Peter Larson is a substantial farmer and 
stock-raiser of Vermilion county, living on 
section 17. Butler township, where he owns 
and culti-\-ates a farm of three hundred and 
twenty acres. His home is conveniently lo- 
cated within two and one-half miles of Ran- 
kin so that the advantages of the town are 
easilv accessible. Mr. Larson is a native of 



II26 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Sweden, born July 2, 1847, and in the coun- 
try of liis nativity he was reared to manliood 
upon a farm. He was eckicated in liis native 
tongue Ijut liis eckication in EngHsii has been 
entirely self-ac(iuired. 

He came to the new world in 1870, when 
a young man of twenty-three years, and pro- 
ceeding at once across the country to llhnois 
located in Cham])aign county. He first be- 
gan work as a farm hand, however, in Doug- 
las county and for two years he was engaged 
in feeding cattle. He afterward servci^l as 
foreman for T. D. AIcKey, a banker of Han- 
over, who owned three thousand acres of 
land. Of this Mr. Larson had cliarge for 
four years and then he began farming on his 
own account, renting land for five years to 
tlie extent of seven hundred acres. Then 
with the capital which he had acquired 
through his industry and enterprise he ])ur- 
chased one hundred and eighty acres of land 
in Ayers township, Champaign county. Tiiis 
was raw and unimproved but he broke and 
fenced it, built thereon substantial buildings 
and made a xQvy valuable farm. Later he 
bought sixty-five acres in Homer townshi]), 
contlucting both places, and he erected a fair 
set of buildings on it. There he carried on 
his agricultural pursuits until 1897. In the 
previous year he purchased his present farm 
of three hundred and twenty acres, upon 
which good improvements are found. He 
has erected a large and attractive farm resi- 
dence, has laid many rods of tiling and has 
divided his place into fields of con\enient 
size by wn)] kept fences. He has also planted 
fruit trees and made otiier valuable improve- 
ments and in connection with the raising of 
grain he is extensively and successfully en- 
gaged in the raising of full blooded Aber- 
deen cattle, having a herd of twenty-three 
head, including a fine .Aberdeen bull, which 



he has owned for three years. He also fat- 
tens cattle for the market and sells about one 
car-load of cattle and two car-loads of hogs 
annually. He is one of a company of ten 
who are engaged in breeding and dealing in 
])ure blooded Percheron and Shire horses 
and they now own two pure blooded import- 
ed stallions, which they purchased in 1901. 
He is an excellent judge of stock and this 
branch of his business is proving very profit- 
able and is constantly growing. 

In 1879 in Champaign county, Mr. Lar- 
son was united in marriage to Miss Hannah 
Pearson, who was born and reared in 
Sweden. Their marriage has been blessed 
with five children : Stewart, who is married 
.and follows farming in Butler township; 
Sam, who assists in carrying on the home 
farm; Oscar, Minnie and John, who are also 
under the parental roof. They likewise lost 
two cliildren : Charlie, who died at the age 
of three years; and Thomas who died at the 
age of six months. 

A Democrat in his political affiliations 
Mr. Larson \oted for Tilden in 1876 and has 
supported each presidential nominee of the 
party since that time. He is not bound by 
party ties, however, at local elections nor is 
he Ijitterly partisan. In Champaign county 
he was elected and served as commissioner 
of roads but he has never been a politician in 
the sense of ofiice seeking, having always 
preferred to devote his energies to his farm- 
ing interests and other business affairs. Both 
he and his wife are esteemed memliers of the 
Swedish Lutheran church, having been 
reared in that faith. He belongs to Rankin 
Lodge, F. & A. M., but joined the order in 
Champaign county. He is likewise identified 
with the iModern Woodmen of America. 
.Although he has resided in Vermilion county 
for a comparativel}- lirief period he has al- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1 127 



ready become widely known and his exten- 
sive business affairs class him among the en- 
terprising, prominent and successful farm- 
ers and stock-raisers of this portion of the 
state. 



JOHNSON F. KNIGHT. 

Among the early settlers and veterans 
who fought for the Union in the dark days 
of the Civil war is numbered Johnson 
Knight, who is living upon a farm on section 
25. Blount township, where he owns and 
operates ninety-four acres of well improved 
land. His birth occurred near Portersville, 
Pennsylvania, November 22, 1843, ^"d ori 
the paternal side he is of English lineage, 
while on the maternal side he is of Scotch- 
Irish descent. His father, Washington G. 
Knight, was joined in wedlock there to Mary 
% Ann Graham and both were natives of Penn- 
sylvania. Their marriage was celebrated by 
Rev. Hampton, a Baptist minister. During 
the early boyhood of our subject the parents 
removed from Pennsylvania to- Kentucky, 
settling in Pendleton count)'. The father 
was a millwright by trade and made that his 
principal business, although he followed 
farming to some extent. In 1861 he re- 
mo\-ed from Kentucky to Vermilion coun- 
ty, Illinois, and built a mill in Danville and 
another in Myersville. By his first mar- 
riage he had nine children, five sons and four 
daughters, the living being: Johnson F. ; 
Mrs. Annie Straiter, of Ross township; 
Orin, of Blount township ; Oswald, of Dewey 
county, Oklahoma ; and Mrs. Lillie Ely, of 
Russell county, Kansas. Those who have 
passed away are: Stewart T., who died in 
1S65; Mrs. E. Shoemaker, who died in 
1864; and Mrs. Amelia McIMillan, who died 



in 1876. The mother of this family passed 
away in 1866. 

Johnson F. Knight received but limited 
pri\ileges yet he has profited by the oppor- 
tunities for reading and investigation which 
have come to him. From the age of eight- 
een years he has been dependent entirely 
upon his own resources and during the 
greater part oi his life lie has carried on 
agricultural pursuits, working as a farm 
hand in his early years. When the Civil war 
broke out he enlisted as a member of Com- 
pany A, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illi- 
nois Infantry, under Captain Rawlson and 
Colonel Harmon. The regiment went to 
Cincinnati and then to Louisville. Kentucky, 
where it was assigned to General Cook's 
brigade. The first engagement in which Mr. 
Knight participated was at Perrysville and 
later he was in the battles of Chickamauga, 
Missionary Ridge, Dalton, Resaca and the 
capture of Rome, Georgia. He also partici- 
pated in a number of skirmishes and was in 
the hotly contested engagement at Kenesaw 
Mountain, where the regiment lost very 
heavily. He was in the battle of Peach Tree 
Creek in front of Atlanta and was in the bat- 
tle of Atlanta on the ist of September. He 
was also in the battle of Bentonville, North 
Carolina, and during the Atlanta campaign 
he was under fire one hundred days. He 
participated in Sherman's march to the sea. 
the battle of Averysboro, North Carolina, 
and the grand review in Washington, being 
mustered out on the 9th of June, 1865. 

Mr. Knight had come to Illinois in i86r, 
starting from Cincinnati on the 14th of Fel)- 
ruary of that year, and arriving at Dan\-ille 
on the loth of March. It required about 
three and a half weeks to make the trip and 
he then settled in Blount township, working- 
out as a farm hand until after the inauffura- 



II2S 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



tion of tlie Civil war. The parents came by 
way of the Wabash Railroad and the father 
purchased a farm here, mostly covered with 
timber. Mr. Knight of this re\'ie\v assisted 
in clearing part of his father's land and after 
his return from the war went to work upon 
the old home farm, receiving three hundred 
dollars per year for his services. The money 
thus earned, together with what he had 
saved in the army, enabled him to begin life 
for liimself. He purchased a small farm and 
later he added to his landed possessions so 
that as the years passed he became the pos- 
sessor of a valuable property. He has al- 
ways been engaged in farming and stock- 
raising, luaking a specialty of the rais- 
ing of a high grade of Poland China 
hogs. The farm is well tiled and drained 
and there are good pasture lands upon the 
place. He also has a nice orchard and makes 
a specialty of the protluction of pears and 
cherries. Pie has resided upon his present 
farm on section 25 since 1876 and its highly 
improved condition is due to his enterprising 
efforts. 

On the 11th of September, 1867, ]Mr. 
Knight was united in marriage to Susan Mc- 
Millan, who was born in Blount township 
in 1849 and was educated in this county. 
They had four children : Washington G. ; 
one who died in infancy ; Charles M., who is 
living in Ohio: and Eldora, who died at the 
age of six months and seventeen days. The 
mother died March 19, 1875, and for his 
second wife Mr. Knight chose Nora E. Mc- 
IMillan, by whom he has four children : Vic- 
tor. Orrin, Daisy B. and Mabel. 

Mr. Knight has served as school director 
for many years and takes great interest in 
the cause of education, doing everything in 
his power to promote the welfare and raise 
the standard of the schools. He has also 



ser\ed as commissioner of highways for two 
terms and has frequently been a delegate to 
the conventions of the Republican party. He 
is a leader of his party in this locality and 
has served as a member of the county central 
committee. He also belongs to Kenesaw 
Post, No. -j-j, G. A. R., of Danville. Mr. 
Knight is a self-made man, whose prosperity 
has been the legitimate outcome of earnest 
purpose and indefatigable energy- and to-day 
he is mimbered among the respected and rep- 
resentative farmers of this communitv. 



OSCAR F. MAXOX. 

High ideals and strong principles have 
ever been salient features in the life work of 
Oscar F. Maxon. of Danville, and have been 
manifest in his business dealings as well as 
in all other relations with his fellow men. 
Widely known in this city, the respect of all 
with whom he has come in contact is tend- 
ered him. because of a loyal devotion to all 
the principles in which he believes. Mr. 
Maxon is now successfully controlling an 
extensive loan business and through forty 
years he has been a factor in the business in- 
terests and public life of the city. 

A native of New York, he was linrn in 
Ch"eat Bend, Jefferson county, in ^^},'J. his 
birthplace being one of the typical log cabins 
of an early day in a frontier region. His 
father, Paul Stillman Maxon, was a native 
of Rhode Island and after arri\ing at years 
of maturity he married Lucy Ann Morris, a 
nati\'e of Saratoga county, X'^ew York. The 
father was a miller by trade and was also an 
excellent mechanic. Both he and his wife 
were strong New England characters and 
lived useful and upright lives, which com- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1 129 



maiided for them the respect and confidence 
of their fellowmen. Their last days were 
passed in Danville and both died at the age 
of seventy-seven years. They reared a fam- 
ily of five children, three of whom are still 
living. 

After acquiring his early education in 
the public schools Oscar F. Maxon entered 
Lowville Academy, at Lowville, New York, 
and on the expiration of a year he left that 
institution to accept a clerkship in the bank 
of Lowville. He gained much experience in 
business during his connection with that en- 
terprise, covering a period of twelve years. 
In 1863 he came to Illinois, making his way 
to Danville, where he secured a position in 
the office of the county clerk, but his previous 
training in banking made him desirous of 
again entering that field of labor and he se- 
curetl employment with J. C. Short & Com- 
pany, of Danville, acting as cashier and man- 
ager of their bank during its existence. He 
afterward turned his attention to the real- 
estate business, in 1880, and has developed 
a large loan business, his energy and his ad- 
vancement in these lines bringing to him de- 
sirable and well merited prosperity. He was 
also the secretary and the treasurer of the 
Paris & Danville Railroad Company before 
it became a part of the Big Four system. He 
is also a director in the Equitable Building & 
Loan Association, of Danville. 

On the 24th of January, 1865, Mr. 
Maxon was united in marriage to Miss 
Theodocia M. Yale, a daughter of the Rev. 
Calvin Yale, of Martinsburg, New York, 
who was a pioneer Presbyterian minister 
and devoted fifty years of his life to the work 
of the ministry. He passed away at the very 
advanced age of eighty-nine years. Unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Maxon have been born four 
children : Roliljins ^'ale, who is a graduate 



of the L'niversity of Illinois and now a civil 
engineer in the employ of the Chicago & 
Eastern Illinois Railroad Company; Oscar 
F., who is a graduate of the Rush Medical 
College, of Chicago, and now engaged in the 
practice of medicine in Springfield, Illinois ; 
Harold Allen, who died March 28, 1900, in 
his twenty-fifth year; and Edward M., who 
is yet at home in Danville. 

From the organization of the Republican 
party Mr. Maxon has been a believer in its 
principles and he cast his first presidential 
vote for Lincoln. When questions of na- 
tional importance are involved he is a strong 
partisan, but at local elections, when there 
is no issue before the people, he votes re- 
gardless of party lines, considering only the 
capability of the candidate. In the year 
1866 both Mr. Maxon and his wife became 
members of the Presbyterian church, with 
which they are still identified. Mr. Maxon 
has been very active in church work and has 
held every office within the gift of the peo- 
ple of his church. For many years he served 
as a trustee and is now a ruling elder, put- 
ting forth every effort in his power to extend 
the influence and promote the growth of the 
organization. He has contributed liberally 
to its support and has been willing to make 
sacrifice of his personal interests for the wel- 
fare of the cause, which is very dear to his 
heart. With firm faith in its teachings, his 
life has long been imbued with his Christian 
belief and his conduct has been guided by its 
humanitarian rules. 



SYLVESTER PARLE. 

It is astonishing to witness the success of 
young men who have emigrated to America 
without capital and through their own un- 



113° 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



aideti efforts have arisen to positions of 
prominence and afflnence. The readiness 
with which they adapt themselves to circum- 
stances and take advantage of opportunities 
offered hrings to them success and wins them 
a ])lace among the leading men of the com- 
munity in which they reside. Such a one is 
Svlvester Farle, now an extensive coal 
operator at \^ermilion Heights, Danville. 

Mr. Parle was born in Ireland. Decem- 
ber 23, 1840, a son of Richard Parle, who 
is still living in that country and who has 
made farming his life work. To a limited 
extent our subject attended the national 
schools of Ireland during his boyhood and 
finally determined to try his fortune in the 
new world. Accordingly he and his brother 
crossed the briny deep but Patrick enlistetl 
during the Civil war and was killed in the 
battle of Vicksburg. 

After coming to the United States Syl- 
vester Parle at once sought employment and 
for sometime worked at whatever he could 
find to do, whereby he might earn an honest 
dollar. On the 19th of May. 1857, he ar- 
rived in Vermilion county, Illinois, and lo- 
cated on what was known as the old Sullivan 
place near the village of Homer, which was 
all wild land covered with tall prairie grass. 
Our subject broke the first soil and made the 
first improvements upon that farm, continu- 
ing its cultixation for three years. The fol- 
lowing year was spent in Piatt county, Illi- 
nois, and on his return to Vermilion county 
he settled near Tilton, where he worked on 
different farms and at various other pursuits 
for se\'eral years, but finally removed to Dan- 
ville and became connected with the coal 
business, first as a common laborer in the 
mines of Tilton and South Danville, work- 
ing on commission only. When the mines 
at those places were consolidated he was 



made foreman of the same and had charge 
of the same for over ten years or until 1884, 
when he came to Vermilion Heights, Dan- 
\ille, and began work in the mines there on 
commission. Later he leased these mines 
and after operating them in that way until 
1889 he purchased them and is now sole 
owner. He is also interested in other mines 
in the county and is the owner of some fine 
farms in Catlin and Danville townships. He 
now devotes his entire time and attention to 
the management of his coal mines at Ver- 
milion Heights, where he employs ten or 
twche men all the year round, and he sup- 
])lie(l mostly the local trade at Danville, al- 
though he shi])s coal to some extent. 

Politically .Mr. I'arle is a Democrat but 
at local elections he supports the men whom 
belie\es best qualified for office regardless 
of party lines. Several times he has l^een 
offered political positions but has always re- 
fused, preferring to devote his imdivided at- 
tention to his business interests. Both he 
and his wife are members of the Catholic 
church of Danville and wherever known they 
are held in high regard. They have a l)eauti- 
ful b.ome at \''crmilion Heights which was 
recently erected by ]\lr. Parle near his mines. 
His life record is one well worthy of emula- 
tion in many respects and contains many 
\;duable lessons of incentive, showing the 
possibilities that are open to young men who 
wish to improx'e every opportunity for ad- 
vancement. 



SAMUEL HART. 



Sanniel 11 art, who is engaged in farm- 
ing and stock-raising, was Ixirn in N'ermil- 
ion county, November 18, 1856, a .son of 
William and Sarah E. (Dougherty) Hart, 



THE BLOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1131 



who were farming people residing in War- 
rai connty, Ohio, and arrived in Vermihon 
county on the 15th of August, 1833. John 
Hart, the grandfather of our subject, became 
one of the pioneer settlers of this "portion of 
the county, where in the '20s he entered land 
from the government on section 33, Oak- 
wood township. The Indians were far more 
numerous than the white settlers in this por- 
tion of the state at that time and the most 
far-sighted could not have dreamed that this 
wild region would soon be transformed into 
a rich agricultural district. Mr. Hart was 
a car]>enter by trade and his son William also 
followed the same pursuit. The latter was 
one of three children, the others being Mar- 
tha and Thomas, the latter a resident of Oak- 
wood township. 

Samuel Hart acquired a common-school 
education, pursuing his studies in a log 
schoolhouse such as was common during the 
period of his early boyhood. He remained 
in school for about six years, or until thir- 
teen years of age, although in the meantime 
he had begun to earn his own living. When 
only a youth of ten years he worked by the 
month upon a farm, receiving his board and 
also a colt or a cow in remuneration for his 
services. At the age of thirteen he began 
feeding cattle and followed that pursuit for 
seven years, at the end of which time he 
turned his attention to farming, renting a 
tract of land. When his labors had brought 
to him sufficient capital he purchased eighty 
acres on section 3, Oakwood township. 
Upon the death of his grandmother, Mrs. 
Nancy (Ireland) Hart, he inherited a small 
portion of her farm but with this exception 
all that he possesses has been made entirely 
through his own efforts. He has long been 
successfully identified with farming and 
stock-raising in Vermilion county. He now 



owns four hundred acres of valuable land, 
all well tilled and improved with modern 
equipments and substantial buildings. He 
handles cattle and hogs on an extensive scale, 
making large shipments, and he now has 
upon his place about five hundred head of 
stock. 

On the ibth of October, 1879, Mr. Hart 
married Miss Sydney Lowman, a daughter 
of George and Mary Lowman, and the 
youngest of a family of eleven children, her 
birth having occurred in Oakwood township 
in i860. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hart have been 
born seven children: George L., at home; 
Mertie, the wife of Lester Thompson, of 
Oakwood township, by whom she has one 
child; Herbert, Sydney, Minnie, Sylvia and 
Ruth, all at home. 

Mr. Hart gives his allegiance to the Re- 
publican party and is identified with several 
civic societies, including the Modern Wood- 
men of America, the Knights of the Golden 
Eagle and the Fraternal Army, of Fithian. 
His entire life has been passed in this county 
and from the time when he began to earn his 
own living as a farm hand at the age of ten 
years he has steadily worked his way upward 
and is to-day one of the most prosperous and 
successful agriculturists in this part of the 
state. 



D. M. JUVINALL. 



D. M. Juvinall is one of the enterpris- 
ing young business men of Danville, con- 
ducting a loan and real-estate agency in the 
Illinois Printing Company building. He 
is imbued with the spirit of western prog- 
ress and advancement and his marked en- 
ergy, perseverance and laudable ambition 
are bringing to him creditable success. He 



II52 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



is a son of James and Eliza J. (Abbott) 
Jnvinali, pioneers of Vermilion county. 
His paternal grandparents. Andrew and 
Mary (James) Jnvinali, were both natives 
of Ohio and cast in their lot among- the 
first white settlers of \'erniilion county, 
arriving here in 1827 when the red men were 
still very numerous, this being sometime 
before the Black Haw k war and before the 
original inhabitants of the land were dri\en 
westward by the encroaching civilization of 
the Caucasian race. 

D. M. Jnvinali was the fourth child in 
his father's family and was born in Vermil- 
ion county, October 31, 1873. Upon the 
home farm he was reared and in the district 
schools he pursued his prcliniinar\- educa- 
tion, which was supplemented by two years 
of study in the schools of Danville. At the 
age of eighteen he began general farming 
and stock-raising on his own account in 
Pilot township. He always kept a good 
grade of stock and in his agricultural pur- 
suits he was quite prosperous. In Aug^ist, 
1902, however, he left the farm and turned 
his attention to his present business, deal- 
ing in cattle, placing loans, and buying antl 
selling real estate. He has secured an ex- 
tensive clientage and does considerable busi- 
ness outside of the state. He is a very wide- 
awake, energetic young business man and 
carries forward to a successful completion 
whatever he tegins. 

On the 30th of August, 1892, Mr Jnvin- 
ali was united in marriage to Miss Helen 
(joodwine, a native of this county, bom Au- 
gust 16, 1874, and educated in the district 
schools. She is a tlaughter of John Good- 
wine, of Potomac, who was a pioneer set- 
tler of the county. The home of our sub- 
ject and his wife has been blessed with 
three children, l)ut Dora L. died in infancy. 



The others are Reggie C. and Reuel G., 
agefl respecti\ely seven and si.x years. The 
parents are active members of the Metho- 
dist church, with which Mr. Juvinall has 
\^en identified for ten years. He has served 
for about three terms as trustee of the 
church in Pilot township. For a long per- 
iod he has been connected with missionary 
work and has done much for the uplifting 
of his fellow men and contributed liber- 
ally to the support of tlie gospef. He is in- 
terested in everything pertaining to the wel- 
fare and progress of the community in 
which he lives and is one of the standard 
l)earers of the Republican party, having firm 
faith in its principles. Living an honor- 
able, ujjright life, reliable in l)usiness and 
faithful in friendshi]), ]Mr. Juvinall is num- 
bered among the prominent, popular and 
highly respected citizens of Danville. 



GEORGE F. HILLEARY. 

George F. Hilleary, who is now living 
on section 33, Blount township, where he 
owns and controls a rich tract of land, was 
born in Fulton count}', Illinois, Sceptember 7, 
1840, his parents being Henry and Sarah 
(Boylen) Hilleary. The father was born 
in Ohio in 1812 and the mother's birth oc- 
curred in the same state in 181 6. The form- 
er was one of a family of nine children born 
unto Osborne and Ellen iHollenback) Hil- 
leary, natives of Virginia. In the year 1830 
the grandparents with their family emigrated 
westward from Ohio to Illinois and settled 
on section 30, Blount township. They made 
the journey overland in a covered wagon 
called a ''prairie schooner," and it required 
some weeks" travel before thev reached their 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



'133 



destination. Here the father entered eighty 
acres of land from the government and he 
also purchased from a settler a tract of tim- 
berland, all of which he cleared with the aid 
ot his sons. His first home was a log cabin 
in which was a puncheon floor and at one end 
of the building was an immense fireplace 
from which the smoke made its egress 
through a clay and stick chimney. The 
family raised their own sheep which they 
sheared and then spun and wove the wool 
into cloth from which were made the gar- 
ments of the family. The subject of this 
review has seen his mother spin flax to make 
thread. The grandparents of our subject 
both died in Elount township. All of their 
nine children reached mature years. In his 
youth the father of our subject assisted in the 
de\'elopment of the home farm and after ar- 
riving at years of maturity he bought a tract 
of land on section 3. He afterward entered 
eighty acres of timberland and in the midst 
of the forest he built his home. Subsequent- 
ly, however, he sold that proeprty. He was 
a cooper by trade and for some years en- 
gaged in the manufacture of barrels in ad- 
dition to farm work. In Fulton county, Illi- 
nois, he wedded Sarah Boylen, and unto this 
union were born four children, of wliom 
only two reached years of maturity, Helen 
dying at the age of twenty-one years. Our 
subject is now the only survivor of the fam- 
ily. The father died iif 1854 and the mother 
passed away in April, 1864, while Helen 
Hillear)^ died in the same month. 

In taking up the personal history of 
George F. Hilleary we present to our read- 
ers the life record of one who is widely and 
favorably known in this county. He attend- 
ed the subscription schools, the temple of 
learning being a log building furnished with 
slab seats, while a plank placed upon pins 



driven into the wall served as a writing desk. 
The huge fi.replace occupied one entire end 
of the room, and greased paper served in- 
stead of glass in the windows. Mr. Hilleary 
was a student in that school for nineteen 
days and after attaining his majority he at- 
tended the district schools. His educational 
privileges, however, were somewhat limited, 
but reading and observation have made him 
a well informed man. During the summer 
months he worked upon the farm, attending 
school through the winter. After he put 
aside his text books his entire time and at- 
tention was devoted to general farming and 
stock-raising. 

On the 4th of January, 1865, Mr. Hil- 
leary was married to Miss Sarah Hilleary, 
who was born m this county, July 30, 1845, 
a daughter of William and Catherine (King) 
Hilleary, who were nati\-es of Ohio and be- 
came pioneer settlers of this section of Illi- 
nois. In their family were eight children. 
The marriage of our subject and his wife 
has been blessed with five children, and the 
family circle yet remains unbroken by the 
hand of death. Emma is the wife of J. T. 
Snider, of Blount township, and they ha\-e 
three children. Oscar F. married Miss 
\Varren, by whom he has three children, and 
their home is on section 28, Blount town- 
ship. \V. B., a resident farmer of the same 
township, married Miss Gutteridge. Bertha 
is the wife of John Disard, of Oakwood 
township, by whom she has two children. 
John O., the youngest of the family, is at 
home. 

After his marriage Mr. Hilleary settled 
on section 4, Blount township, where he be- 
gan farming on his own account, using a 
single shovel plow to cultivate his land. He 
cut his grain with a sickle, bound his wheat 
liy hand and also planted his corn in that 



"34 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



way. He went tu mill on horseback, taking 
with liini a sack of corn, which he would 
have ground and then return home with the 
meal, lie rememhers, too, when candles 
were made by dipping the wick into melted 
tallow and then allowing it to cool. This 
process was repeated again and again until 
the candle had become of sufficient size, and 
later candle molds brought into use. Mr. 
Hilleary also remembers seeing the hres 
made with Hint and tow, and when they had 
no supply of those materials they would have 
to go to a neighbor to borrow some fire. 
Everything was primiti\e, not only farm im- 
plements, but the methods of life. The 
co(jking was done over a fireplace, the pots 
and kettles hanging from an iron crane, the 
bread and pies baked in a skillet which was 
covered with coals. Mr. Hilleary well re- 
members the first cook stove used in the 
family. Trairie wolves were many times 
killed and there were large herds of deer 
roaming at will over the prairies, while 
prairie chickens, turkeys and other wild 
game were to be had in abundance. Chi- 
cago was the trading point at a very early 
day, but as the years passed the work of 
progress and improvement was carried on 
and at the present time Vermilion county 
not only ranks as one of the leading agri- 
cultural counties of this great common- 
wealth, but in its midst stands one of the 
metropolitan centers of the state, although 
Mr. Hilleary can remember when the hazel 
brush grew upon the site of Danville. When 
the town contained but few houses he has 
hauled corn to Danville, selling it for fifteen 
cents per bushel. Now he has a splendid 
farm improved with all modern equipments, 
including fine machinerv. There are good 
buildings upon his place and a splendid 
orchard furnishing him large supplies of 



apples and pears. He also raises blackber- 
ries on an extensive scale and his corn crop 
yields al)out forty bushels per acre. Mr. 
Hilleary has held a number of offices includ- 
ing that of asses.sor and in this capacity 
ser\ ed nine terms, or ten years. He was also 
supervisor four years and schocjl director 
about fifteen years, and at the present time 
is serving as supervisor. .\ citizen of worth, 
no public trust reposed in him has ever been 
betrayed in the slightest manner or degree. 
He is ever loyal to the good of the commun- 
ity, active in sujiport of its best interests and 
has been closely identified with the upbuild- 
ing of schools and churches. He holds 
membership in the Methodist church with 
which his family are also connected, and he 
is now serving as one of its trustees. 



O. B. GRAY AT. 



Vermilion county owes much to the ef- 
forts and labors of Oscar B. Cravat, and 
no history of this portion of the state would 
be complete without the record of his life. 
He was the first to introduce fruit-raising as 
an industry into this portion of Illinois, and 
t(j demonstrate the possibilities of this sec- 
tion as a horticultural district. In this way 
he has aided Ixitli directly and indirectly 
in promoting the material prosperity of his 
community. At the same tune he has had 
marked influence upon the moral develop- 
ment and has l)cen the friend of e\cry move- 
ment and measure calculated to promote the 
general good. He is numbered among the 
early settlers of Blount to\mship and resides 
on section 14 where he has a farm of eighty- 
five acres, all well improved. He was torn 
in this township, June 16, 1841, and is a 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1135 



son of Abraham B. and Mary M. (Potter) 
Gravat, the former a native of New Jersey 
and the latter of New York. The father 
made the journey westward overland in an 
old-time "prairie schooner," and arrived 
here when the land was wild and unbrokai. 
There was not a house or a fence for miles 
around and the country was full of prairie 
wolves, deer, wild turkeys and prairie chick- 
ens. He has shot wild turkeys upon his 
own place. The father of our subject en- 
tered three hundred and twenty acres of 
land, fourteen miles west of the home of 
our subject, paying twenty-five cents per 
acre for his property. He began improving 
this but his health failed and he sold out. 
This land is worth to-day one hundred dol- 
lars per acre. Later he purcliased a portion 
of the present farm of our subject, paying 
si.x dollars per acre. In the early days he 
went to Perrysville and to Covington, Indi- 
ana, to mill, and he hauled grain and apples 
to Chicago across a country which was 
broken up by many sloughs and ponds. It 
was necessary to ford the river for no 
bridges had been built, and to camp out at 
night. He sold his corn for only ten cents 
per bushel. In those early days the greater 
part of the land was still unclaimed, al- 
though a squatter had settled here and there. 
The first home of the Gravat family w^s a 
log cabin, and the barn was also made of 
logs and had a threshing floor. The cloth- 
ing was entirely homemade and many times 
our subject has assisted in preparing the 
flax in the summer and the wool in the win- 
ter and indeed has taken his turn at the spin- 
ning wheels. He has assisted in running 
off spindles with swifts, and from the swift 
to the reel. His father used flint and tow 
in making a fire in the early days and used 
grease lamps and candles for illuminating 

48 



purposes. O. B. Gravat frequently assisted 
in making candles and has oftentimes at- 
tended church when the little house of wor- 
ship was lighted by candles and when the 
preacher would go around with snuffers in 
order to brighten the light. The old crane 
hung over the fireplace and many a night 
Air. Gravat has studied by the light of the 
fire. The early settlers would also tell the 
time of day by a mark on the door, the hour 
being estimated by the shadow. He well 
remembers the first clock that was used by 
his father, the same being purchased from 
a peddler. The girls in those early days 
would go to church, carrying their shoes 
and when they neared the building would 
sit down upon a log and put them on, and 
after the service would again take them off, 
thus practicing economy. Mr. Gravat's 
father hauled the timber to build the first 
courthouse of Danville. He was an enter- 
prising man anfl was among those who as- 
sisted in making the county what it is to- 
day. He married in this county anil died 
about the close of the Civil war, while his 
wife, surviving him for some years, passed 
away June 4, 1879. I" their family were 
six children: R. P., of Oklahoma; Mrs. 
Helen English, a widow of Danville; O. B. ; 
Mrs. Gelina Straw, of Vermilion county; 
John, deceased; and Cynthia, who has also 
passed away. 

O. B. Gravat received but a common- 
school education, but has largely devoted his 
time to the reading of good books, being 
a man of literary tastes. At the age of 
twenty-three he was ordained as a minister 
of the Christian church, but has never be- 
come a regular minister, although he 
preached at one church for four years. For 
over thirtv-three years, however, he has 
given much time to Christian work, filling 



1136 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



iiKinv ])ulpits in the absence of reg-ular past- 
ors. His attention has been largely given t(j 
farming and he has made a specialty of rais- 
ing stock and fruit. For a quarter of a 
centurv- he has devoted much attention to 
horticulture and has found it a very profit- 
able business. To-day he enjoys the credit 
of raising the best strawberries that enter 
the Chicago markets. He produced one 
berry that measured seven inches in circum- 
ference and they axeraged from four to 
seven inches. He also raises blackberries 
in large quantities, having as high as fifteen 
acres planted to that fruit. lie brought 
the first grape root from Missouri to this 
locality and his neighbors laughed at him for 
his pains, saying that fruit could not be 
raised in this country, Init he experimented 
with this, and finding that it could be raised 
and that excellent qualities could be pro- 
duced, he entered the business and has since 
carried it on with excellent success. He 
sold the first cfuart box of strawberries ever 
placed upon the Danville market. He now 
devotes his attention entirely to strawberries, 
raspberries, pears, peaches, and blackl>erries, 
and because of size, quality and ilavor his 
fruits find a very ready sale upon the market 
and bring to him an excellent financial re- 
turn. When he first began selling, all fruit 
was measured out in quart tins. Mr. Gravat 
certainlv deserves great credit as a pioneer 
in this industry in Vermilion county, his 
laliors proving of marked benefit to his fel- 
low men who have followed his example 
and devoted their energies to horticulture. 
He now has an established trade which is 
bringing to him an excellent income. 

When Mr. Gravat took up his present 
liome he began clearing his place and hauled 
the lumber for the erection of buildings. 
He first built a plank house, sixteen by 



twenty feet, and therein kept bachelor's hall 
for a jear. lie was then married to Miss 
Caroline Lankenship, who lived for only 
about a year thereafter. On the 26th day 
of August, 1873. he wedded Sarah Cheno- 
welb, who was born in Fairfield county. 
Ohio, a daughter of Josluui and Elizabeth 
(Ladly) Chenoweth, who were also natives 
of the Buckeye state and came to this county 
at an early day in a covered wagon drawn 
by ox-teams. It took them three weeks to 
make the trip from Missouri, and they set- 
tled at Myersville. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Chenoweth now reside in Danville, at the 
age of seventy-six years. In their family 
were ei.srht children : Mrs. M. J. Thomas, 
of h'airchild county, Ohio; Mrs. Gravat; 
IMrs. Dora E. Swisher, of Danville; Sher- 
man G., of Blount township, and four who 
ha\e ])assed away. Mr. and Mrs. Gravat 
are parents of the follow in.g children : Char- 
lie, who married Gertrude, a tlaughter of 
I. O. bairchild, and has one daughter, Lu- 
cile; Ira, Harley, Ollie, Howard, Dessie, 
Ora, Mabel and Clyde, all at home: and one 
that died in infancy. 

Mr. Gravat is familiar with pioneer ex- 
])erieiices and can relate many interesting 
incidents concerning early life in Vermilion 
county. He was often engaged in hunting 
coons, climbing the trees for them. He. as- 
sisted in felling the forests and breaking tlie 
prairie, working with a single shovel plow. 
He also cut grain with the sickle and after- 
ward with the cradle. In early days he was 
a great hunter and fre(|ucntly sold coon skins 
at one dollar and fifty cents apiece. His 
ministerial career has been of a pioneer kind. 
He would hold meetings and then return 
home and chop wood, after which he would 
again go to the ])lace of worship to preach. 
He has often walked five miles to keep a min- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1137 



isterial aj^pointnient and in the early days 
his wife would frequently ride with him to 
church on horsehack, buggies being- then al- 
most unknown in this locality. Like her 
husband, IMrs. Gravat has long- been a de- 
voted and consistent member of the Chris- 
tian church. He has preached many funeral 
sermons in this county and he is widely 
known and respected for his fidelity to his be- 
lief and his exemplary life. He served as a 
school director for many years and has been 
trustee for nine years. In politics he is a 
stanch Prohibitionist, the cause of temper- 
ance finding in him a warm and earnest 
friend. Mr. Gravat has always been loyal 
to the support of what he believed would 
uplift his fellow men and promote moral 
advancement ; in business affairs has ever 
been found honest and reliable, as well as 
enterprising; and in all life's relatiims he has 
ever been true to the confidence reposed in 
him. His example is indeed well worthy of 
emulation and those who know him enter- 
tain for him high regard. 



SAMUEL MOORE, M. D. 

- Four years' connection with the medi- 
cal fraternity of Danville has been sufficient 
to demonstrate to the residents of this city 
that Dr. Samuel Moore is well equipped for 
the practice of his profession, that his knowl- 
edge of the principles of medicine is com- 
prehensive and accurate and that his love of 
scientific research is supplemented by a deep 
human sympathy, without which the medi- 
cal practitioner can never hope to gain the 
best results or the highest honors in his 
profession. Dr. Moore is yet a young man 
but few have undertaken the work to which 



he is de\oting his energies, better qualified 
for the arduous and difficult duties. 

The Doctor was bom at Coot Hill, in 
County CJax'an, Ireland, November 9, 1871, 
a son of Hugh and Margaret (Roundtree) 
Moore, who were natives of the same local- 
ity and ,were there married. The father 
de\'oted his attention to agricultural pursuits 
in Ireland until his death, which occurred 
in 1S87, while his wife passed away in 
1898. Tiiey were members of the Protest- 
ant Episcopal church and in their family 
were se\-en sons and six daughters, while 
ele\-en of the family are yet living, namely : 
Alexander, who is a rector of the Episcopal- 
ian church and resides at Kilkenny, Ire- 
land; Sarah, the wife of James Mahood, 
of County Cavan, Ireland; Jane, who be- 
came the wife of William Wilson and after 
his death married Thomas McCulloch, of 
County Cavan; Mary, who spent some time 
in Germany, then li\ed for twelve years in 
I'rance and is now a high school teacher of 
London, England; James, who married 
Elizebeth Reynolds of County Ferman- 
agh, Ireland, and resides on the old home- , 
stead, near Coot Hill, Ireland; Harriet, the 
wi fe of James Moore, of Count_y Cavan ; 
^\'illiam, who is a professor in Trinity Col- 
lege of Dublin ; Elizabeth, the wife of J. 
Stephenson, of Lancastershire, County 
Monagan, Ireland ; Samuel ; Hugh, who is 
chief of the Cape Colony police in South 
Africa and was in the English army in the 
Boer war; Robert, who is a veterinary sur- 
geon connected with Trinity College, of 
Dublin ; and two wdio passed away — John, 
who died at the age of sixteen months ; and 
.\nna. who was a twin sister of Jane and 
died at the age of six months. 

In the maternal line Dr. Moore can trace 
his ancestry back through several genera- 



II38 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



tions. His mother was a daugliter of Alex- 
ander Ronndtree, of Coniptown, County Ca- 
\an, Ireland, and a granddaughter of Jack 
Rouiidtree, of County Cavan, while her 
great-grandfather was Charles Roundtree, 
who was born in County Armagh, Ireland 
about 1710. In J 730 he removed to Kill- 
igriffe in County Mcath. His wife was 
Mollie Coleman, of the same place. The 
Doctor has relatives in various parts of the 
world and several of the family have been 
quite prominent in Cape Colony. 

Nature may endow one with mental 
capacity or possibilities, but specific knowl- 
edge must be ac(|nired through personal ef- 
fort and the man who gains prominence in 
any of the "learned professions" is he who 
labors for it. Through close application 
Dr. Moore has become a man of scholarly 
attainments. His education was begun at 
Tullvrin, an endowed schnol at Coot Hill, 
where he remained until thirteen years of 
age, when he entered school in County 
West Meath, Ireland, where he spent three 
years. For two years he was a student in 
tlie Santar school of Dublin — a school of 
the Incorporated Society of Ireland. In 
conjunction with this he spent one year in 
the Royal University of Ireland. He won 
numerous first-class certificates of the dif- 
ferent divisions of the science and art de- 
partment of South Kensington, London, 
England, rejiching the fifth stage in mathe- 
matics, with honor in the first three 
and the fifth; also received certificates 
for work done in the departments of 
sound, light and heat, physical geographv, 
mathematics, magnetism and electricity. 
He also took the three courses — junior, mid- 
dle and senior — of the intermediate educa- 
tion before the Board of Ireland, winning 
the honors in mathematics in all three di- 



visions, and also receive<l the honors in 
mathematics in the Royal University of 
Ireland and honors in the different grades 
of the church education and society of the 
Protestant Episcopal church of Ireland. 

In 1889 Dr. Moore came to America, 
landing in New York and working for a 
time in various capacities in that city and 
in Philadelphia, attending business college 
in the latter city at night until 1894. He 
then entered Park College, in Parksville, 
Missouri, where he remained for a year 
pursuing a literary course, after which he 
entered the Uni\ersity Medical College at 
Kansas City, Missouri, where he was gradu- 
ated with the class of 1898. Entering upon 
the practice of medicine in Vermilion county, 
Illinois, he has for four years remained in 
])ractice here and his constantly increasing 
practice already extends over a large part 
of the country and embraces many of the 
best homes of Danville. He is thoroughly 
conversant with modem methods of pro- 
ceedure in the treatment of diseases and is 
crmtinually broadening his knowledge by 
indi\'idua] research. 

The Doctor was married November 5, 
1902, at No. 1738 North Twenty-first 
street, in Philadelphia, to Miss May Smith, 
who was born in Wicklow, County Wick- 
low, Ireland, a daughter of Jeremiah anil 
Elizabeth ( Summers) Smith, who were 
born, reared and married in County Wick- 
low and in 1889 came to Philadelphia. In, 
early life a blacksmith, years of labor marked 
his transition into a retired capitalist. He 
lived for two years in this country and died 
December 29, 1891, at the age of sixty-nine 
years, and his widow still resides in Phila- 
delphia. In their family were the following 
named: Letitia, the wife of \\'illiam G. 
Maxwell, of Dublin, Ireland; Edward B., 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



■39 



wlio died in 1896; Mrs. Moore; Myrtle E., 
of Philadelphia ; Jeremiah ]\Iatthe\v, who 
was married May 31, 1902, to Mary Mc- 
Caffery, of Philadelphia; and George C, 
an engraver of I'ittshurg, Pennsylvania. 

Dr. Moore holds menihership in the 
Modern Woodmen Camp, the Court of 
Honor, the Fraternal Trihune, the Royal 
Circle, and the Fraternal Army. In poli- 
tics he is an avowed Republican, and he be- 
longs to the First Presbyterian church of 
Danville, wdiile his wife holds membership 
in the First Episcopal church. He is ex- 
aminer for various fraternal and insurance 
societies and in the line of his profession 
he is connected with the Vermilion County 
Medical Society and tlie State Medical Su- 
ciety. Not yet in the prime of life he has 
alreadv attained marked success in his 
chosen calling, which argues well for the fu- 
ture. 

♦-•-♦ ■ 

ROBERT H. SMITH. 

Robert H. Smith, one of the most ex- 
tensive and prosperous farmers and land 
owners of Vermilion county, was born May 
22. 1858, in this county, a son of John 
Smith, whose birth occurred in England. 
The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Adaline Moorehead and was Ixim 
in Virginia. They were married in Vermil- 
ion countv and became the parents of four 
children, of whom Robert was the third. 
The father had come to America in 1836. 
He was only twelve years of age when he 
landed in this country and in England and 
in the United States he attended the com- 
mon schools, thus acquiring his education. 
For a year he resided in New York and then 
came to \'ermilion county, Illinois, where 



he remained for a year, after which he 
again spent a year in the Empire state, re- 
turning to this county in 1843. He was 
then about fifteen years of age, but he pos- 
sessed great strength of character and de- 
termination, as is shown by the trips he 
made to and from Vermilion county and 
the business ability he manifested in various 
ways. On returning here in 1843 '^^ '"' 
cated. in Middlefork townshii) and soon af- 
terwards purchased forty acres of land for 
wh.ich he paid one dollar and a half per 
acre. It was all raw land, not a furrow 
having been turned or an improvement made 
upon it. but he at once began to break it 
and placer] it under cultivation and from 
time to time h.e added to his farm as his capi- 
tal increased until he owned more than five 
thousand acres. He was instrumental in 
placing under cultivation and improving as 
much, if not more, land than any other one 
man in this part of the county and thus he 
was an important factor in the uplniilding 
of his section of the state. In the early 
days he endured many hardships and diffi- 
culties but he persevered in his work, al- , 
though he had to haul his grain long dis- 
tances to market and then receive but small 
pay for his products. He brought the first 
plow to the locality and he used oxen in 
breaking prairie. His first home was a log 
cabin, of small size and in it he and his es- 
timable wife reared their family, living in 
that way for many years until his financial 
resources permitted him to constnict a more 
commodious dwelling, which house is now 
owned and occupied by James Leonard. 
.About three years prior to his death he 
erected a residnce in Potomac and there 
spent his remaining days. For fifty years 
he was a devoted member of the Methodist 
church, took an actis'C interest in relip-ious 



1 140 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



work and contributed liberally to the siii)port 
of the church and the extension of its in- 
fluence. In political views he was a Repub- 
lican and he served as school director and 
as steward of the church. He was about 
twenty-three years of age at the time of 
his marriage and of this unidu were born 
four children : Martha J., who became the 
wife of William Kuykendall ; Allen G. ; 
Robert II. and Laura J., who is the wife 
of L. S. Holderman. The niolhcr died in 
t886 at the age of sixty-two years and the 
father passed away February 11, 1902, at 
the age of seventy-eight years. The county 
certainly owes to him a debt of gratitude 
for what he accomplished in its behalf in the 
way of reclaiming the wild land for pur- 
poses of civilization and in opening u]) this 
district to development, progress and im- 
provement. 

Robert H. Smith acquired his earlv edu- 
cation in the common schools of his town- 
ship and there the period of his youth was 
passed, assisting his father until about 
twenty-six years of age, when he began 
farming on his own account. He married 
November 6, 1889, to Miss Alice F. Sev- 
erns, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank 
Severns, both of whom were natives of 
Ohio. In their family were seven children 
and the father died in Ohio at the age of 
si.xty-seven years, while the mother is still 
li\ing in that state. He was a dealer in 
agriculural implements and also carried on 
farming. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were mar- 
ried in Celina, Ohio, and unto them have 
been born four children; .Vdeline; Leota; 
John h'ranklin, who was born January 8, 
1888, and died November i, T902: and 
Llartha Lucile. 

Throughout the greater part of his busi- 
ness career Mr. Smith has been engaged in 



the raising, buying and selling of stock. 
It has been his principal occupation and his 
efforts have been attended with a liigh de- 
gree of success. In 1901 he purchased land 
to the extent of four hundred acres located 
in Pilot township. This he afterward sold 
and i)urchased four hundred acres just op- 
posite his home. Upon this is a good race- 
track, which, in atldition to four acres of 
land, he sold to his brother. He also owns 
one thousand acres in this counlv, which he 
inherited from his father. In the controll- 
ing of his business affairs and in enlarging 
his operations he shows excellent business 
ability and it is therefore but the legitimate 
result of his labors that he is continually in- 
creasing his capital. 

Mr. Smith is a stalwart Republican in 
politics and believes firmly in the principles 
of his party, which he labors earnestly to 
introduce into the active affairs affairs of 
life. His beautiful home, which was Iniilt 
of brick at a cost of eleven thousand dol- 
lars, was erected in 1896 and is one of the 
most attractive residences of the countv. 



GEORGE W. PURNELL. 

George W. Purnell, who is now li\ing 
a retired life on Logan avenue, Danville, 
but for more than twenty years was one of 
the active and thrifty farmers of Oakwood 
township, owning and operating two hun- 
dred and f(jrty-se\en acres of valuable land, 
dates his residence in Vermilion county 
from December, 1871. He was born in 
h'ountain county, Indiana, February 13, 
183.]. His father, Samuel Purnell, a na- 
ti\e of Maryland, was born in November, 
1707. ''uid came of English ancestry. When 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1 141 



a child he accompanied his parents on their 
removal to Kentucky and was there reared 
to manhood. In that state he married Ehza- 
beth Price, a native of Fleming county, Ken- 
tucky, and in order to provide for his family 
he followed agricultural pursuits and also 
carrietl on carpentering' and shoemaking. 
Several children were added to the house- 
hold during the residence of the family in 
Kentucky. In 1838 Mr. Purnell took his 
wife and children to Fountain county, In- 
diana, where he entered one hundred and 
twenty-eight acres of land from the govern- 
ment, his patent bearing the signature of 
Martin "Van Buren, then president of the 
United States. Mr. Purnell cut .down the 
trees, cleared tlie land and thus opened up 
a good farm in the midst of the wilderness. 
There he reared his family and spent his re- 
maining days. His wife survived him to 
the advanced age of ninety-one years, dying 
about t888. George W. Purnell is one of 
a family of five sons and four daughters and 
with the exception of one son all reached ma- 
ture years. Two sons and two daughters 
are yet living, the brother of our subject be- 
ing Francis AI. Purnell, of Fountain county, 
Indiana. 

George Vv'. Purnell was reared to man- 
hood on the old home farm and received but 
limited school privileges, attending only dur- 
ing the winter months, while throughout the 
remainder of the year he worked in field and 
meadow, as the work of plowing, planting 
and harvesting progressed. He is almost 
entirely self-educated and is likewise a self- 
made man. After his father's death he 
bought out the interest of the other heirs in 
the old homestead and further improved the 
land and developed a farm. He cleared one 
hundred acres of heavy timber land and 
built a neat and substantial house. He also 



l)Ianted fruit trees and cultivated his fields, 
making a valuable farm, which he continued 
to cultivate until 1871. He then sold the 
old homestead and came to Illinois, settling 
in Vermilion county, where he purchased a 
farjii of two hundred and forty-seven acres, 
lying in Oakwood township. He began to 
further improve this property, built a good 
residence, fenced and tiled the place and 
made other substantial impro\-ements, and 
now his llelds yield to him golden harvests 
in return for his labors. For twenty years 
he successfully continued to cultivate bis 
farm, thereby acquiring a comfortable com- 
petence which now enables him to live re- 
tired. Leaving his farm he resided for three 
years in Aluncie and in 1899 came to Dan- 
ville, where he purchased a neat and sub- 
stantial residence in which he is now li\-ing" 
retired. 

Mr. Purnell has been twice married. In 
Fountain county, Indiana, in 1854, he wed- 
ded Nancy Henry, a native of Kentucky, 
who was reared in Bracken county. She 
died in Oakwood township, Vermilion coun- 
ty, Illinois, in 1893. Of the six children 
born imtc them four are yet living : Joseph 
Samuel, a farmer of this county; Elijah A., 
who is engaged in the grain business in Mun- 
cie: John E., a business man of Danville; 
and William F., a dentist of Petersburg, In- 
diana. Emma J., the first born, died in 
childhood and Eldora F., died at the age of 
two years. In Muncie, in 1896, Mr. Purnell 
was married to Mrs. Catherine Tenebaugh, a 
widow, who was born in this county and is 
a daughter of Maxwell Scott, who came 
from Ohio to Illinois in pioneer times. She 
was reared and educated in Vermilion 
countv and first gave her hand in marriage 
to J. P. Tenebaugh, also an early settler of 
Illinois, who came here from Virginia. 



1 142 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



I'dlitically Mr. I'lirnell is a stalwart Re- 
])ulilican. liavin,tj supported tliat i)arty since 
lie cast his first presidential ballot for John 
C I'Vemont in 1856. He has never sought 
or wanted oflice, ijreferring to give his time 
to his farm and business. He did serve, 
however, for a few years as commissioner 
of highways and was township school trus- 
tee for nine years. He and his wife are act- 
ive members of the Christian church of 
Danville in which he is serving as a dea- 
con, taking a helpful part in the church 
work and doing everything in his power 
to extend the growth and influence of the 
church. His life history illustrates in a 
marked degree what may he accomplished 
by well directed efforts and a strict adher- 
ence to correct business principles. 



R. R. WORTHINGTOX, M. D. 

Dr. R. R. W'orthington, who in the suc- 
cessfid practice of his profession in Indian- 
ola is giving evidence of a thorough under- 
standing of his work and of the accurate 
application of medical principles to the 
needs of suffering humanity, was born at 
Fern Leaf, Mason county, Kentucky. 
-August 15, 1852, and is a son of General 
and Sally (Runyon) Worthington, lx)th of 
whom were nati\es of Kentucky and were 
there married. The father was a farmer 
and also engaged in speculating in hogs 
and tobacco. He gave his political support 
to the Whig party and several times rep- 
resented his district in the state legislature. 
In addition to this he held a number of 
township and county offices. Fie was rec- 
ognized as one of the prominent and influ- 
ential residents of his part of the state, 



leaving the impress of his individuality for 
good upon public progress and improve- 
ment. An exemplary member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity and a devoted member of 
the Church of Christ, he commanded the 
confidence and resjiect of all with w hom he 
came in contact. He died in 1862 and is 
still survived by his widow, who resides in 
Mason county, Kentucky. In their family 
were eight children, but only two arc liv- 
ing — the Doctor and Love, now the wife of 
John R. Thomi)son, of Mason county, Ken- 
tucky. 

Dr. Worthington attended the I-'ranklin 
Seminary, of Mason county, and afterward 
became a student in Alinerva College. Tak- 
ing up the study of medicine he matriculated 
in the Medical College of Ohio, in which he 
was graduated in the class of 1874. He 
then came to Illinois, settling in Catlin, 
where he practiced for a short time, after 
which he removed to Indianola where in 
connection with the practice of his chosen 
profession he is also conducting a pharmacy. 
His success has come to him in recognition 
of his merit and his thorough understand- 
ing of the work to which he devotes his en- 
ergies. He is examiner for many lodges 
and insurance societies and is a member of 
the Merlical Association of \'ermili(.*n coun- 
ly. .\s his financial resources have increased 
he has made judicious investments in real 
estate, and now owns some good city prop- 
erty in Indianola. 

On the 23d of December, 1879. in this 
])lacc. Dr. Worthington was married to 
Miss Laura Lavine AIcMillan, who was 
born in Vermilion county, I'ebruary i, i860. 
Her father, William McMillan, was a native 
of Pennsylvania, born March 14, 1810, and 
wedded Mary Jane Hill, whose birth oc- 
curred in Crawford, Pennsylvania, in 1834. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



'143 



They were married in Washington county, 
in the Keystone state, September i, 1843. 
Mr. AIc^Millan carried on agricultural pur- 
suits and also conducted a hotel. In 1856 
he removed to \'ermilion county. Polit- 
ically he was a Democrat, and filled the of- 
fice of justice of the peace, and he belonged 
to the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Worthing- 
t(jn was one of a family of six children: J. 
T., a lumber merchant of Danville; J. A. of 
Indianola; Ortie Lissie, the wife of Simon 
Snyder, who is living near Philo, Illinois; 
Mrs. W'orthington; Sanford, who died in 
infancy; and William H., of Indianola. 
Unto Dr. and Mrs. Worthington have been 
born four children : Samuel Lester, who is 
teaching in the public schools of Indianola; 
Chester A., who is attending school; Anna 
Lox-e and Hazel. Tiie Doctor belongs to 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
to the Modern Woodmen of America. Vot- 
ing with the Democracy he has served in 
some official positions, having been a mem- 
ber of the board of education, the mayor of 
Indianola and county supervisor, holding- 
each position for several terms and discharg- 
ing his duties with marked fidelity, so that 
over the record of his public career there 
falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of 
evil. A leading member of the Church of 
Christ, he is serving as one of its elders. 



E. B. WILLISON. 



E. B. Wilhson, who has served as post- 
master of Indianola since 1896, was born 
in \"ermilion county, June 7, 1854, a son 
of E. B. Willison, whose birth occurred in 
Maryland in 1804. The father engaged in 
farming and carpentering, his home being 



one mile southwest of Indianola where he 
entered land from the government, living 
there from 1850 until the time of his death, 
March 8, 1882. In politics he was an earn- 
est Republican and capably served as justice 
of the peace, while in the Baptist church, in 
which he was a member, he held the office of 
deacon. He was twice married and by his 
first union had three children, of whom two 
are yet living: James, a resident of Okla- 
homa; and Coyel, who is living in Wichi- 
ta, Kansas. By the second marriage there 
were five children : Nancy, the wife of 
Robert Mclntyre, of Van Buren, Arkansas ; 
E. B. ; Joseph, of Burton, Kansas ; Eleanor, 
of Cambridge, Kansas ; and Deborah, the 
wife of William Bowdery, of Watonga, 
Oklahoma. 

E. B. Willison began his education in the 
Willison schoolhouse which stood on his fa- 
ther's land, and later entered the Wesley 
school. He usually attended school for 
about three months during the winter, while 
in the summer season he worked upon the 
home farm. He was married October 24, 
1876. at Ridgefarm. to Miss Martha Ellen 
Lough, who was born in West Virginia, a 
daughter of John and Mary (Williams) 
Lough. Her parents were married and lo- 
cated in West Virginia and at the time of 
the Civil war came to Ridgefarm, Illinois. 
Here the father purchased land and later 
traded his farm for town property in Ridge- 
farm where he made his home until his 
death. In his younger years he engaged in 
teaching school. He was a member of the 
Baptist church and in his political belief was 
a Republican. His wife passed away in 
1900, when living with our subject. Mrs. 
Willison was of a family of two sisters and 
three brothers: I-'annie, the wife of Henry 
Henderson, of Nebraska: John and Charles, 



I '44 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



who reside in Nebraska; Calvin, who is hv- 
ing in Sidell, Illinois, and Mrs. Willison. 

i\tter his marriage Mr. Willison re- 
moved to the home of 'liiomas Roach, there 
living until the following spring when he 
took up his abode upon the okl family 
homestead which has since been his place of 
residence. He now owns one hundred and 
si.xty acres of land and live acres of city 
property in Indianola, also a general store. 
He likewise is proprietor of a large depart- 
ment store at Sidell and has a business 
block at the corner of Main and Franklin 
streets in Danville He also has a house and 
lots on Robinson street in that city and his 
landed possessions include one hundred and 
sixty acres in Canulen county, Kansas, and 
two hundred and fifty acres in. Georgia. In 
his business undertakings .Mr. \Villison has 
prospered. Whatever he Ijegins he carries 
forward to successful completion, and be is 
a man of resourceful business ability. He 
recognizes not only the possibilities of the 
moment, but also the opjiortunities of the 
future, and has so conducteil liis labors as 
to win creditable and gratifying success. In 
politics he is a stalwart Republican and in 
Septeiuber, i8g6, he was appointeil post- 
master, in which capacity he has since 
served. He was formerly supervisor of 
Carroll township, although it is a Demo- 
cratic stronghold, and he occupied that posi- 
tion for several tenus. — a fact which indi- 
cates bis personal popularity and the trust 
repose<l in him by his fellow townsmen. 
He ha< filled other minor oftices, all of 
which have found in him a wortliy incum- 
bent. 

Mr. \\'illi.son and his wife are the jiar- 
ents of seven children: Zula is the wife of 
Cieorgc Cole, of Indianola, and they have 
one d.aughter. Thelma. The other members 



111 :iie family are, Floy. Mary, Blaine. Gol- 
die. J'"skie and Joy. The parents hold mem- 
licrshii) in the I'aptisl church, giving to it 
a generous support and taking an active pari 
in its upbuilding, and for ten years Mr. 
Willison has been .superintendent of the 
•Sundav-school. 



GEORGE HARRISOX. 

George Harrison, who resides near 
Hope, Illinois, was born in Yorkshire, 
England in 1S22. His father was a sheji- 
herd in that country for moVe than a half 
century. In early life the subject of this 
review engaged in farming work and for 
six years hauled goods from the wharf to 
the city of Barnsley, Englaml. In 1845 he 
was united in marriage to Rachel Murga- 
troyd. also a native of 'S'orkshire, Ixirn in 
18^. |. They remained in Englantl for about 
six years after their marriage and then 
sought a home in the new world, crossing 
the -Xtlantic in the sailing vessel "Levi Ha- 
sen," which carried four hundred and thirtv 
passengers and was seven weeks and four 
days upon the voyage. Captain Knapp being 
in command. At length their anchor was 
dropped in the harbor of Xew York and 
Mr. and Mrs. Harrison made their way to 
Dunkirk, that state, where they lived for 
sixteen years, his attention being given to 
hauling wood and to farming. 

The year 1867 witnessed the arrival of 
.Mr. Harrison in Venuilion county. He 
purchasetl land in Pilot township on section 
.^.l. and here he yet owns one hundred and 
ten acres. He lived upon that farm until 
1807, when he removed to the home of bis 
widowed daughter, who lives on section 35. 

In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1145 



were ten cliildrcn, of wliom six still survive: 
G. H., now a resident of Gifford, Illinois; 
Urctta, who is the widow of Jesse Collison 
and witli her Mr. Harrison is living; Thom- 
as, of Kankakee; Sophia, the wife of James 
Stuckey, of Pilot township; Rachel, the 
wife of Thomas Keys; and Dina, the wife of 
Charles Douglas. Mr. and Mrs. Ilarri.son 
also have fifteen grandchildren mid four 
great-grandchildren and one of their grand- 
children operates the old home farm, lloth 
our subject and his wife liave long been 
earnest members of the Christian ciiurch 
and in politics he has been a stalwart Repub- 
lican since the organization of the party. 
For six terms he served as school director 
anil the cause of education has ever found in 
him a worthy friend. The country was wild 
and unimproved when he came to Vermilion 
county, there being only two houses within 
sight of his home. Plenty of wild game was 
to be had and there was no market or trad- 
ing place nearer than Danville and Rantoul. 
With the work of improvement and pro- 
gress Mr. Harrison has been active and has 
ever taken a deep interest in the general 
good and the upbuilding of his community. 
He is now eighty years of age and his wife 
seventy-eight years old and this venerable 
couple are respected and esteemed by all 
with whom they have been brought in con- 
tact for their lives have ever been honorable 
and upright. 



ALFRED ALLISON. 

Alfred Allison is a respected citizen of 
Danville whose life work proves what are 
the business possibilities offered in Vermil- 
ion county to men of laudable ambition and 
strong, honorable jjurpose. He has at- 



taine<l a jjlace among the wealtUy citizens of 
this portion of the state and his advancement 
is due entirely to his own efforts. Mr. .Al- 
lison was born in Harrison county, Ken- 
tucky, June 24, 1825, and is a son of Otho 
Allison, who was a farmer and also a miller. 
In an early day he removed from Indianap- 
olis, Indiana, his son Alfred being at that 
time only a year old. When the son was 
three years old the father came to \'crmilion 
county, Illinois, with his family, consisting 
of his wife, eleven sons and two daughters. 
l''i\e of this number are yet living, namely: 
Mrs. Daniels, George, Thomas Jefferson, 
William Phili]) and Isaac. Upon coming 
to this county the father entered a claim of 
one hundred and twenty acres, five miles 
from Danville, in Newell township. This 
comprised eighty acres of prairie land and 
forty acres of timber land and it was still 
in the condition in which it caiue from the 
hand of nature, for not a furnnv had been 
tiuMietl or an improvement made upon the 
place. Danville at that time had not been 
laid out and when it was started there was 
a contest for the county seat, Danville win- 
ning by a vote of three, this being due to the 
fact that it was situated on the Vermilion 
river which many thought would prove an 
advantage. During his boyhood days i\l- 
fred Allison accompanied his father on a 
trip to Chicago where they saw the Indians 
paid off after the Black Hawk war. He also 
saw the first brick l)uilding ever erected in 
.hat city. A i)icture of his surroundings in 
pioneer days would present the early his- 
tory of Vermilion county. He has seen as 
many as sixteen yoke of oxen hauling one 
w;'.gon across the swamps. Then the land 
was crossed and re-crossed by sloughs which 
made the roads almost impassable. The 
ruembers of the family wore home-made 



1 146 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



clothing and tiiey lirst lixed in a little log 
cabin which was situated at the edge of the 
timber. The food was cooked o\cr the hre- 
])lace and the smoke made its egress through 
a chimney built on the outside of the house. 
'J"he barn was also built of hewed logs. 
b'ires were made without the use of matciies, 
for that now seemingly essential article of 
the household had not then been invented. 
The spinning wheel was found in every home 
and the members of the Allison family spun 
and wove Hax and made their own thread 
and clothing. They also manufactured rope 
which was used for lines in dri\ing the 
horses. The first plow which Mr. Allison 
remembers had a wooden moldboard and 
the corn was cultivated witli a single shovel. 
Grain was cut with a sickle and afterward 
the cradle came into use. and at the time of 
early spring planting- corn was dropped by 
hand and co\ered with a hoe. The school 
was held in a log cabin which Mr. Allison 
attended during the winter months while 
in the summer he labored in the fields. 

On the 18th of January, 1S44, when m 
his nineteenth year. .Alfred Allison was mar- 
ried to Cornelia \. Clapp. who was born in 
North Carolin.-i and was to him a faithful 
companion and heli)mate on life's journey 
for many years, but her death occurred Feb- 
ruary 13, I goo. In the meantime, however, 
they had celebrated their golden wedding, 
living together for lifty-six years. They 
were the parents of eleven children; Otho, 
who is married and resides in Missouri ; 
Mar_\-, the deceased wife of (ieorge Woods; 
Louis, of Dakota; George L,. who is mar- 
ried and lived in Missouri; George, who is 
also married and li\es in that state; Barbara, 
the wife of Cicero Allison, of Alvin. Illi- 
nois; Emma, the wife of Aleck Patrick, who 
for eight years has served as county sher- 



iff in Xebraska ; Alfred J., who lives in Al- 
vin, and married Miss Price, a daughter o£ 
the man who carried the first mortar used 
in the erection of the first brick house in Chi- 
cago; Thomas Jefferson, who is married 
and lives in Danville; Daniel, who is mar- 
ried and is the proprietor of a hotel in Al- 
vin ; and Lloyd P.. also of this county. All 
the children received liberal literary educa- 
tional privileges and were also provided 
with instruction in music. Some of the 
sons ha\ing been away from home for sev- 
eral years, upon their return a grand re- 
union of the family was held and it proved 
a most enjoyable occasion. Mr. Allison has 
been a second time married, having on the 
14th of January. 1903, in Danville, wedded 
Mrs. Emma Rice, a daughter-in-law of J. J. 
Rice, one of the i)ioneers of Pilot township, 
Vermilion countv. 

For many years Mr. .Mlison was an act- 
ive factor in the agricultural and stock-rais- 
ing interests of this portion of Illinois. He 
began his domestic life in a log cabin and 
thus li\ed until he could secure better ad- 
\antages. lie drove oxen to the breaking 
plow, felled the forest trees and cleared 
away the brush, this work largely occupy- 
ing his attention for about eleven years. At 
first he was the owner of four yoke of cat- 
tle, but he persevered in his work until his 
labors had brought him capital sufficient to 
pay for ninety-one acres of land. This he 
im])ro\ed and from time to time he added to 
it until he owned se\en hundred acres com- 
])rised within a number of valuable f.irms 
located in different ])arts of Vermilion coun- 
ty and some were situated upon the state 
line. liveiUually he sold three hundred 
acres of his land for twelve thousand dollars 
and later he ])urchased the Braden farm a 
half mile from .\lvin. There he engaged in 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1 147 



general farming and stock-raising, making 
a specialty of keeping only high grade 
stock. He was always a lover of fine horses 
and has ever owned some excellent speci- 
mens of the noble steed. He now owns a 
thoroughbred stallion and he bred nine hun- 
dred and sixty-four colts in eight years, 
traveling in that time sixteen thousand sev- 
en hundred and eighty-four miles in a cir- 
cuit. He has bred as high as one hundred 
and eighty-eight colts in one season. Aft- 
er living upon his farm near Alvin for some- 
time he removed to Alvin and he now makes 
his home in Danville. He owns city prop- 
erty here and he also has eleven acres three 
miles north of Danville. In his political 
views Mr. i\llison has ever been a stalwart 
Republican from the organization of the 
party. His life is indeed honorable and 
many of his sterling traits of character are 
worthy of emulation. He has never used 
liquor or tobacco and has never gambled. 
He has lived in peace with his fellow men 
and is modest and retiring in disposition. 
Wherever he has gone there has he won 
friends by reason of his genuine worth and 
now in his old age he has a wide acquaint- 
ance and all who know him esteem him 
highly. ?Ie numbers his friends among the 
young and old, rich and poor and he cer- 
tainly deserves mention in this volume. 



REV. DANA SHERRILL, A. M., B. D. 

This well known and honored citizen of 
Hoopeston, who is now practically living 
a retired life, was born in Lisbon. Kendall 
county, Illinois, on the 5th of June, 1842, 
his parents being Lewis and Emeline 
(Moon) Sherrill, both of whom were na- 



tives of New York, though they were mar- 
ried in Kendall county, this state. The 
mother died in November following the 
birth of our subject, and the father was 
again married in 1849, h's second union be- 
ing with Janette Gilfillan, by whom he had 
three children, namely : Charles, a farmer 
of Lisbon; Mary, wife of Norman S. Shu- 
feldt, also an agriculturist; and Ida J., wife 
of I. V. Crj'der, a farmer and stock-raiser. 
The father died July 16, 1897, and his 
second wife departed this life in August, 
1899. 

Dana Sherrill. the onlv child of the first 
luiion, attended the academy at Lisbon, Illi- 
nois, and later entered the preparatory de- 
partment of Beloit College, Wisconsin, in 
1859, and had about completed the course 
when the Civil war broke out. Not content 
to remain in school when he believed his 
services were needed at the front, he laid 
aside his te.xt books, and on the 2d of July, 
1 861, enlisted for three years in Company 
D. Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
with which he served for three months long- 
er than his term of enlistment. He was un- 
der the command of Captain W. P. Pierce, 
Colonel Nicholas Greusel and General 
Sheridan most of the time. His first en- 
gagement was at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, un- 
der the command of Generals Curtis and 
Seigel, after which the regiment was sum- 
moned to the relief of General Hallock in 
the siege of Corinth. The summer of 1863 
was spent in Mississippi, and Mr. Sherrill 
took part in the battles of Perryville and 
Stone River and the Tullahoma campaig'u. 
followed by the battle of Chickamauga, the 
first day's fight at Chattanooga and the cap- 
ture of Orchard Knob. He was also in the 
charge of Missionary Ridge under Sheri- 
dan, then went to the relief of Knoxville, 



114S 



thE biographical record 



and was later in the Atlanta campaign, l)e- 
ing a member of Cordon (iranger's corps 
and in charge of the "forage department. 
He was mustered out at Nashville and 
finally discharged at Louisville in the fall of 
1864 with a war record of which he ma_\- Ije 
justly proud. 

Returning to Beloit, Wisconsin, Mr. 
Slierrill t(.K)k up the regular course and was 
graduated in 1870 with the degree of A. AI. 
Ha\ing determined to enter the ministry he 
next took a three years' course at the Chi- 
cago Theological Seminary, where he was 
graduated in 1873 and was afterward 
granted tlie degree of Bachelor of Divinity. 
His first pastoral charge was at Forrest, 
Livingston coimty, Illinois, \\here he had 
previously acted as supply while in the sem- 
inary at Chicago, and had also filled the 
pidpit of the Congregational church at 
Chebanse, Illinois. In 1881 he became con- 
nected with the American Missionary Asso- 
ciation, ])cing appointed superintendent of 
church and school work with headquarters 
at Savannah, Georgia, where he remained 
six years, founding schools and churches 
through the south and looking after the 
erection of church buikhngs and school- 
houses. Returning to Illinois in the fall of 
1887, he was installed as pastor of the Con- 
gregational church at Marshall, Clark coun- 
ty, where the following six years were 
passed, and for two years he was pastor of 
the church of the same denomination at Ma- 
zon, Grundy county, Illinois. On account 
of ill health he then removed to Hoopeston, 
where he has since made his home, doing 
incidental church work and assisting the 
Home Missionary Society, though he has no 
regular charge. He often fills i)ulpits, how- 
ever, in the absence of the regular pastor." 
I'"(jr the past five years he has spent the win- 



ter months in Daytona, Florida, where he 
also has a home. Besides his city property 
he owns six hundred acres of farm land in 
the vicinity of Hoopeston and two hundred 
and forty acres in Kendall county, Illinois, 
renting both ])laces. 

Mr. Sherrill was married at Saratoga, 
Illinois, December 27,, 1873, to Miss Lou- 
\'icea Ayres, who was born in Fairfield 
count)-, ("onnecticut, in 1842. and is a sis- 
ter of J'"rederick H. Ayres, who is repre- 
sented on another page of this volume. 
Thev have a very pleasant home on East 
Penn street, which was purchased by Mr. 
Sherrill in 1894, and which is the abode of 
liosi)!tality and good cheer. By his ballot he 
supports tlie men and measures of the Re- 
])ublican jiarty, and he is a prominent mem- 
ber of the Grand Army Post of Hoopeston, 
in which he has filled the ofifices of com- 
mander anil chaplain. He is a man of high 
intellectuality, broad human sympathies and 
tolerance and is imbued with fine sensibil- 
ities as well as clearly defined principles, and 
he enjoys the respect, confidence and high 
reeard of all who know him. 



ALLExN" T. CATHERWOOD. 

While Allen T. Catherwood never at- 
tained to prominence in the political world 
or sought to figure before the people in the 
light of a public official, there has probably 
never been a private citizen of Hoopeston 
wb.o has exerted a stronger or more bene- 
ficial inlluence than the subject of this me- 
moir on account of his calm, clear and un- 
biased judgment, his honorable purpose, his 
clear insight into the affairs of the present 
and the possibilities of the future and his 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



I 149 



unfaltering- iidelity t(j wliat lie l)elieved to 
be right. So devoted was he to the i)iiblic 
welfare of the town that no measure for the 
general good ever sought his aid and co- 
operation in \:\m. He held friendship in- 
violable and the relations of the home were 
to him a sacred trust. 

Allen Thompson Catherwood was born 
in Belmont county, Ohio, December 16, 
1842, the eighth child in a family of ten 
children born to James Catherwood and 
Lydia Tussey, who was a lineal descendant 
of the Von Springers. He was about thir- 
teen years of age when his father died, leav- 
ing his mother — a woman of no ordinary 
strength and purity of character — with a 
large family of children and in straitened 
circumstances. For two years she remained 
in Ohio, and that Allen's }'oung mind was 
busy was attested by the old legal friend 
who predicted of the "silent one" much that 
his early manhood fulfilled. 

In 1858 IVlrs. Catherwood came with 
her family to- Shelby county, Illinois, where 
she had wild land to be improved. Here 
the growing youth formed a friendship that 
was an education in independence, energy, 
sincerity and helpfulness to others which 
honoretl him who gave and him who re- 
ceived. This friend was Thomas Pouting, 
the pioneer in bringing Texas cattle to the 
Chicago markets and who was a stanch 
friend ever after and a man strong in his 
loyalty to what he thought right. Of him 
Mr. Catherwood gained his business train- 
ing and developed that keen insight and 
cjuick sympathy with human nature in var- 
ied conditions, which were afterward so 
large a factor in his success. It was of Mr. 
Pouting that Mr. Catherwood learned the 
cattle business and for a number of years 
he was connected with that business in the 



west, being among the first to drive and later 
to ship cattle to the Chicago markets. In 
1876 he became a resident of Vermilion 
county, settling upon a farm near Hoopes- 
ton. Shortly afterward purchasing a gro- 
cer)' store in Hoopeston in connection with 
Nathan Williams, he successfully conducted 
it for some years, for, though he had no 
])revious experience in merchandising, he 
possessed practical common sense, keen dis- 
cernment and enterprise antl these qualities 
always win prosperity. As a stock-dealer 
he also controlled extensive trade transac- 
tions until he ceased his purchases and sales 
of stock in order to devote his energies to 
the grain business. 

One of the strongest elements in his suc- 
cessful career was his recognition of oppor- 
tunity. He seemed to know just when, how 
and where to establish an enterprise so that 
it would become a profitable source of in- 
come, and his business affairs were usually 
of such a character that they promoted pub- 
lic prosperity while contributing to his in- 
dividual success. He was instrumetal in 
founding many of the leading industries of 
Hoopeston, including the Hoopeston Can- 
ning Factory, of which he was part owner 
and general manager for a number of years. 
In 1880 S. S. McCall had organized the 
Illinois Canning Company but after two 
years the enterprise met with failure. Some 
of the leading citizens of Hoopeston. includ- 
ing J. S. McFerren, William Moore, Cyrus 
Hartwell, A. T. Catherwood. A. H. Trego, 
J. A. Cunningham, A. Honeywell and 
Thomas W'illiams, then leased the property 
in 1883 and engaged in the manufacture of 
sugar and in canning- corn. The following 
year Mr. Cath.erwood, Mr. Trego and Mr. 
McFerren took the factory, which they con- 
ducted until thev organized and established 



1 150 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



tlie Hoopeston Canning I-'actory in 1884. 
A!r. Catherwood assumed the management 
and under his capable control the business 
was conducted with excellent success vintil 
1 891, when he retired. The enterprise, 
\\ hich was begun on a small scale, gradually 
increased until the volume of business trans- 
acted by the Hoopeston Canning Company 
had reached extensive proportions and the 
factory had become a paying investment, 
returning splendid di\iden(ls to the stock- 
holders. This was largely due to the man- 
agement and s])leiidid business ability of Mr. 
Catherwood. 

For a number of years Mr. Catherwood 
was also connected with the grain trade, 
buying and selling largely on the line of the 
Lake Erie & Western Railroad, owning 
large elevators at dififerent points and form- 
ing partnerships in many of the towns in 
which he conducted his transactions as a 
grain merchant. He owned a large grain 
farm near Amljia, Indiana, in company with 
Mr. Williams and he never lost his interest 
in agriculture or the promotion of the wel- 
fare of the farming class. 

In October, 1873, Mr. Catherwood was 
united in marriage to Miss Cornelia Hart- 
well, of Hoopeston, who is an aunt as well 
as a si.ster-in-law to Mrs. Mary Hartwell 
Catherwood, the author. Unto Mr. and 
-Mrs. Catherwood were born six children, of 
whom three are still living: Robert was 
married June 4, 1902, to Miss Lucy Cotton 
Morris and is practicing law in Chicago; 
Maude Hartwell and Naomi are with their 
mother and the latter is studying v(jice cul- 
ture in Chicago. 

Mr. Catherwood was called to various 
public offices and in matters pertaining to 
the general good he was helpful and gen- 
erous. He served as alderman of Hoop- 



eston f(jr several terms and was made the 
chairman to investigate the different plans 
of waterworks, with the view of selecting 
the best for Hoopeston. He believed that a 
sanitary system of waterworks would great- 
ly !es,sen the possibility of an epidemic of 
contagious disease and to this end he gave 
special attention to the matter. He visited 
various places of the country on a tour of 
inspection and after the Ixjard reached a de- 
cision, practically embodying his ideas, he 
was gi\en the general supervision of the 
construction of the waterworks system and 
with the assistance of his partner, Mr. Tre- 
go, he carried the work forward to success- 
ful completion. He was a member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in 
the Masonic fraternity he attained the 
Knight Templar degree. On account of 
failing health he disposed of his business 
interests, retaining only his lands and other 
realty and prior to his death he spent one 
winter in California and one in Florida. He 
passeil away in the spring following his 
California visit, in June, 1892, leaving to 
his wife and children a legacy, which after 
eleven years have passed meets them still 
in the unfolding and fruition of his thought- 
ful plans for their comfort and guidance. 



CHARLES C. WILLIAMS. 

Charles C. Williams needs no special in- 
troduction to the readers of this volume be- 
cause he is a native son of Vermilion coun- 
ty ami also because he is a well known rej)- 
resentative of business interests, having ex- 
tensive landed possessions and carrying on 
stock-dealing on a large scale. He was born 
September i, 1861, about a mile and a 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1151 



quarter northwest of Hoopeston, a son of 
Tliomas and Lovina (McFarland) Will- 
iams, who are represented on another page 
of this work. 

In the common schools of the locahty 
Charles C. WiHiams acquired liis prehmi- 
nary education, wliicli was supplemented by 
study in Hoopeston and also in Lebanon, 
Oliio. He was thus well equipped to meet 
the practical and responsible duties of a busi- 
ness career. WHien about twenty years of 
age he became connected with the dry-goods 
trade, continuing the business for about a 
year, after which he went to the west, locat- 
ing in Omaha, Nebraska. He remained for 
about fourteen years in that city and during 
si.x years of that time was connected with 
the Standard Oil Company, having charge 
of its office work in that city. He afterward 
entered into business relations with John A. 
Creighton, one of the leading capitalists of 
Nebraska, whom he represented as general 
manager and cashier. His business experi- 
ence in the west was broad and of a varied 
nature, and well qualified him for the re- 
sponsible duties which he assumed upon his 
return home. 

In 1894 Mr. Williams returned to Hoop- 
eston and entered upon the work of settling 
up the Hoopes estate, as the successor of his 
father, who hail Ijeen appointed one of the 
executors. In this labor C. C. Williams was 
associated with J. A. Cunningham and so 
continued until the final settlement of the 
estate. I'ollowing this Mr. Wiliams as- 
sumed the management of his father's prop- 
erty and with him he owns three thousand 
acres of land, and owns individually twelve 
hundred acres, all well improved and con- 
stituting a very valualMe property. He is 
extensively engageil in farming- and also 
raises stock for the market and both 
49 



branches of the business return him a very 
gratifying annual income. 

On the 20th of August, 1891, Mr. Will- 
iams was married to Miss Anna S. Dillon, 
a native of Illinois and a daughter of Dr. 
Dillon, one of the early physicians of this 
state. During the early girlhood of his 
daughter he removed to Decatur, Illinois, 
where she was educated. By her marriage 
she became the mother of one child, Leland 
T., who was born June 15, 1892. Mrs. 
Williams belongs to the Methodist church 
and Mr. Williams holds membership rela- 
tions with the Benevolait and Protective 
Order of Elks. In his political views he is 
a Democrat and by Governor Tanner he was 
appointed one of the commissioners from 
the state of Illinois to the Omaha Exposi- 
tion. His life has teen that of a typical 
American business man, watchful of oppor- 
tunities, enterprising and with the force of 
character that enables him to so direct his 
efforts that what he undertakes shall reach 
a successful ct)mpletion. 



REV. MELCHIOR AUER. 

There is something akin to poetic justice 
in the fact that this gentleman, an adopted 
son of America who proved his loyalty to 
the country in the dark days of the Civil 
war, should now be connected with the Sol- 
diers" Home in Danville, exercising a strong 
moral influence there in behalf of his old 
comrades who wore the blue uniform of the 
nation. Mr. Auer came from a land noted 
for the liravery and valor of its sons, his 
])iith having occurred in Switzerland, June 
25, 1 84 1. His father, Melchior .\uer, was 
the N'illage miller in his native town and 



II52 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



married Elizabeth Neiikom, w ho was also 
a native of Switzerland. In their family 
were seven cliildren. the subjeet of this re- 
\iew being the sixth in order of birth. Only 
tw(j of the family, however, are now living, 
the brother of our subject being Conrad 
Auer, who is likewise a resident of Danville. 
It was in the year of 1^48 that the parents 
crossed the Atlantic to America and made 
their way lo St. Louis, Missouri, where they 
remained until tlie fall of 1851, when they 
came to Illinois. Our subject was a lad of 
eight summers at the time of the emigration 
to the new world and remained under the 
])arental roof until after the outbreak of the 
Ci\'il war, with the exception of about three 
vears spent in Pike county, Illinois, work- 
ing as a farm hand, by which be acquired 
the money to pay for his education. With 
his brother, John G. Auer. he later served 
an apprenticeship to the shoemaker's trade. 
He had l)cen deeply interested in the 
attitude of the south over the question 
of sla\-ery and its right to withdraw 
from the I'nion and feeling that the 
national goxernment at Washington should 
be supreme he resolved to enter the army as 
a defender of the I'nion cause. In i86i, 
thereff)re. he joined Comi)any D. First Mis- 
souri Cavalry, with which be served for 
three years and one month, taking part in 
the battles of Black Water, Pleasant Hill 
and Xewtonia, Missouri, together with other 
engagements. 

After his return from the war Rev. 
Auer ]iursued a preparatory course of study 
and then entered the Illinois W'esleyan L'n- 
iversity at Bloomington, where he was grad- 
uated in 1870. Having prepared for the 
ministry his first charge was in the West 
Jacksonville circuit. After spending six 
vears in the ministrv he entered the Garrett 



Biblical Institute at Evanston, Illinois, 
where he was graduated with the degree of 
Bachelor of Divinity. He served as pastor 
of several churches and in the fall of 1894 
he came to \'ermilion county, making his 
home at I^ossville for a numl>er of years. 
He afterward li\cd at Fairmount and on the 
i6lh of December, 1899, be was appointed 
to his present position in connection with 
the h^anville branch of the National Sol- 
diers" Home. 

Rev. .Auer was united in marriage to 
Miss Alice Pugh on the 3d of September, 
1872. The lady was Ijorn in Shelby ville, 
Illinois, November 10, 1852. a datighter of 
William and Mary Pugh. She acquired her 
education in the Shelbyville Seminary and 
in Delaware, ( )hio, and by her marriage she 
has become the mother of three children : 
Ivlgar C. who is in Honduras, Central 
^America; Charles .M.. who is now in De- 
troit, Michigan: and William N., at home. 
Dora, a niece, has made her home with them, 
as a daughter, since infancx'. 

Rev. Auer votes with the Repul)lican 
partv and is a member of the Grand Army 
of the Republic and of the Union \'eterans 
Legion, b'or thirty-two years he has been 
a member of the Illinois Conference and at 
])resent be is serving as chaplain in chief of 
the V'nion \'eterans Legion. Almost his 
entire life has been devoted to the work of 
extending the cause of Christianity so that 
all men shall be Christ's followers. His in- 
fluence has been widely and effectively felt 
and wherever he has gone his earnest pur- 
pose, his strong and logical utterances and 
his dex'otion to his cause have m.ade their 
imjiression upon his hearers for the better- 
ment of mankind. Since coming to the Sol- 
diers' Home in Dansille he has organized 
a temperance club and for three years he 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1153 



ser\-e(l as its president. He is a man of deep 
human sympathy, always ready to extend 
a he1i>ing liand to tliose in need of material 
or moral assistance and in his position he has 
won in marked degree the confidence, re- 
spect and lo\e of the old soldiers. 



G. !\[. HAXI.Y, D. D. S. 

The splendidly equipped dental office of 
Dr. Hanly is e\ idence of his success and liis 
prominence in his profession. His suite of 
rooms constitutes one of the finest dental 
offices in this part of the state and is sup- 
plied with e\'ery modern appliance known to 
the profession that is of \'alue in facilitating- 
\\-ork in his line. The Doctor deserves great 
credit for what he has accomplished, as 
from an early day he has been dependent 
up(_)U his own resources anil he is not only 
a self-made man, but a self-educated man 
as well, and in a profession where advance- 
ment cle]>ends upon individual merit he has 
gained a position of prestige. 

The Doctor was born July zy, 1857, in 
South Carolina, and is a son of John Hanly, 
His father was born in Rhode Island and 
after arriving at years of maturity wedded 
Emeline Black, who was a native of Penn- 
syh-ania. 'i'hey became the parents of three 
sons, of whom J. B. died at the age of 
twenty-seven years, while N. E. is now liv- 
ing at Gibson City, Illinois. The father was 
in the employ of the Southern Railroad 
Company as a landscape and scenic painter, 
working in the shops at Marion, South Car- 
olina. .\t the time of the Ci\'il war he joined 
the Confederate army and was killed in the 
service. 

When but a chilcl Dr. Hanly went to 
Marietta, Ohio, with his mother. She is 
Still living at the advanced age of seventy 



years, making her home with her son. In 
1901 the Doctor buried his grandmother, 
Mrs. Maria E. Black, who was then in the 
ninety-eighth year of her age. On leaving 
the south Mrs. Hanly went to Indianapolis, 
Indiana, antl subsequently to Madison, Wis- 
consin, where the Doctor was reared. When 
only about eight years old he was bound out 
to an old German farmer, who died eighteen 
months later. Our subject afterward fol- 
lowed various pursuits in order to provide for 
the support of himself and his mother. Am- 
bitious, industrious and energetic, he had 
managed to complete a course in a business 
C(_illege and in a private school at the time 
he was sixteen years of age, doing chores 
and abo cooking for his teacher in order to 
pay for his tuition. He afterward followed 
carpentry work for two years and then, de- 
termining to make the profession of den- 
tistry his life work, at the age of eighteen 
he began studying with a dentist of Mazo 
Manic, Wisconsin, with whom he remained 
for twenty-fi\e months. 

During that time Dr. Hanly gained a 
C(jmprehensi\e knowledge of the practice 
of dentistry and then entered into partner- 
ship relations with O. T. Taylor, of Wane- 
ka, Wisconsin, with wdiom he remained for 
about fourteen months at that place. To- 
gether the}- then removed to Wahpeton, 
North Dakota, where they practiced for two 
vears and then dissolved ])artnership. In 
i8i^2 Dr. Hanly began business alone and 
not onlv gained success as a member of the 
dental fraternity, but also prospered in 
manv speculations and in\-estments in that 
state. He purchased equities and trafficked 
in land until he had nearly two thousand 
acres. He also cnviied store buiklings and 
six residences Ijesides a stock of drugs in 
W'ahjjelon and in the last named enterprise 



1 1 54 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



he was associated with liis hrutlier. He re- 
mained in North Dakota from the winter of 
1879 until i8yo, when lie came to Hoopes- 
ton, arriving in this city on Christmas eve 
(if that year. He had partially disposetl of 
his interests I^efore leaving the north, retain- 
ing, however, his city property, which he has 
since sold. He brought with him to this 
place about four thousand dollars and has 
since realized iibout eight thousand dollars 
upon the property which he held in North 
Dakota. 

On locating in Hoopeston Dr. Hanly 
purchased a lot. on which he built a resi- 
dence at a cost of six thousand dollars. La- 
ter he bought two acres more and in 1899 
he i)nrchased fifteen acres adjoining, on 
which he built four gcxjcl residences. On 
the "lb of December. 1901, he suffered con- 
siderable loss in the fire which destroyed the 
Mcb'erren block, his total loss amounting 
to twenty-four hundred dollars, on which 
he had but seven hundred dollars insurance. 
Ibis fire occurred while he was absent on 
a visit to Indianapolis, but within twenty- 
four hciurs after the fire he had re-opened 
his oltice in the Hamilton & Cunningham 
Bank 1)lock and thus with only a few hours' 
interruption he was contimiing his profes- 
sion, in which he has met with the most 
marked success. A\'hen the new McFerren 
block was completed, on the 15th of May, 
1896, he removed to that building, ^vhere 
he has a suite of three rooms. He fitted up 
his (jftice at an expense of twenty-five hun- 
dred dollars and there are no Ijetter equipped 
dental apartments in the state outside 
the city of Chicago. He uses all the latest 
a])pliances and facilities for carrying on his 
practice which has reached very large ])ro- 
portions, his patronage coming to him from 
a wide territory. In addition to his other 



interests here the Doctor owns a lot and 
training barns adjoining the city park. 
Both he and his w ife ha\e always l)een lovers 
of fine horses, '['he Doctor has owned some 
\er}- \alual)le slock. He to-day owns a Ijrood 
mare which has foaled five colts, and Hazel 
11., the two-year old, has made a half-mile 
in one minute and four seconds and a mile 
in two minutes and twenty-five seconds. Her 
full sister, Pansie, after ninteen days' driv- 
ing, made a record of 2 :30. Dr. Hanly also 
has two other colts that are very prominent. 
The mare is by Albert, and the two colts 
were sired by Jay \\'oo<l, by Nutwood. 

On the loth of October, 1883, in W'ah- 
jieton, North Dakota, Dr. Hanly was united 
in marriage to Miss \'iola L. Corry. who 
was born in Broomville, near Tiffin, Ohio, 
December 6, 1862, a daughter of Use! and 
Mary (Eastman) Corry, both of whom are 
nati\es of Greeiie county, New York. The 
father conducted a sawmill and also carried 
on farming. In 1893 he came to Hooi)eston 
and in connection with O. P. Chamberlain 
owns the Independent Telephone System of 
this place, ha\ing constructed the plant 
which he now' conducts. Mrs. Hanly has 
two brothers and one sister: Ed, Mrs. O. 
J'. Chamberlain and W. I., all of whom arc 
residents of Hoopeston. Like her huband 
she is very fond of fine horses and is an ex- 
cellent judge of the noble speed. She also 
takes much interest in tine poultry and has 
been identified with various poultry asscxia- 
tions, before which slie has read papers bear- 
ing on the subject in its different branches. 
The Doctor and his wife ha\e no children, 
but his mother is a member of the household 
and from her the Doctor has never been 
sep;ir;ited. lie pro\idcd for her support 
in his earl}- boyhood and they ha\e always 
lived together. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



"55 



In liis political affiliations the Doctor is 
a Democrat and has served as a delegate to 
county and congressional conventions. On 
the 21 st of .Vpril, 1903, he was elected alder- 
man from tlie secoml ward of Hoopeston, 
opposing a strong candidate on the business 
men's ticket. Socially he is connected witii 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the 
Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Mod- 
ern Woodmen oi AmeTfta. In his youth 
he had many hardships and difficulties to 
overcome, but \\ith persistent purpose he 
surmounted all obstacles in his path. He 
has a genial temperament and a disposition 
which enables him to meet conditions of life 
without worry. He has always manag^ed to 
take things easily, which is by far the best 
method. At the same time he has been 
quick to note an opportunity and to improve 
it, and through his marked ability in his 
profession and his judicious in\-estments in 
property he has become one of the success- 
ful men of Vermilion county. 



lOHX W. FOX. 



John ^V. Fox is now living on section 
29, Middlefork township, about four miles 
from Potomac, where he owns a good farm, 
but the care and cultivation of his land he is 
leaving to others while he is enjoying a 
richly merited rest from labor. Since 1872 
his home has been within the borders of this 
state and since the spring of 1875 ^^^ ^"^^^ 
resided in \'ermilion county. He was born 
near Zanesville, in Muskingum county, 
Ohio, August 4, 1839, and is a son of Reese 
Fox, whose birth occurred in Chester coun- 
ty, I'cnnsylvania, in 1808. The grandfa- 
tlier, Joseph Fox, was likewise born in the 
Keystone state and came of a family of 



Welsh ;uid Scotch ancestry that was 
founded in Pennsylvania at an early epoch 
in its history. There Reese I*" ox was reared 
and married to Phebe Wilson, a native of 
Chester county, Pennsylvania. Soon after 
his marriage he remo\ed westward to Ohio, 
becoming one of the pioneer settlers of 
Muskingum county. By trade he was a 
shoemaker and followed that pursuit for a 
few years in Zanesville. Later he purchased 
land antl improx-ed a farm upon which he 
reared his family and spent his last days, 
]:)assing away in 1887, at the advanced age 
of seventy-nine years. His wife survived 
him for a few years and then she too was 
called to her final home. John W. was the 
youngest and the only son in their family 
of four children, all of whom reached adult 
age. The eldest, Mrs. Elizabeth Mercer, is 
now a widow li\'ing in Muskingum county, 
Ohio. AFrs. I\laria Pierce is also a widow 
lixing in that county and Mrs. Sybilla Pey- 
ton has likewise lost her husband and makes 
her home in Muskingtun county. 

It was in that county that John W. Fox 
was reared upon the old homestead farm 
while in the district schools he obtained his 
education, remaining with his father there 
until twenty-two years of age. In 1861 he 
donned the blue uniform of the northern 
army and joined Company D, of the Sey- 
entx'-eighth Ohio ^'olunteer Infantry, which 
was assigned to duty in the army of the 
Cumberland. He thus participated in the 
battles of Shiloh, Raymond, "Champion Hill, 
Jackson and the siege and capture of Vicks- 
Inirg, after which he was granted a thirty 
(lavs' furlough, which he spent at home vis- 
iting friends. On the expiration of that 
])criod he rejoined his regiment at Kenesaw 
Mountain and participated in the hard 
fought battle there. He was likewise in the 



1156 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Atlanta campaign wliere tlie regiment suf- 
fered severely, losing about one tlnnisand of 
its nunilier in a few hours. Mr. Fox also 
took part in the siege of Atlanta and later 
went witii Sherman on the march to the sea, 
taking part in a hotly contested engagement 
on a big rice ])lantation near Saxanah, that 
l^eing the la.s-t engagement in which he par- 
ticipated during the Civil war as his term of 
enlistment had e.xpired. He was .sait home 
by \\a\- of Xew York city and Imnorably 
discharged at Columbus, Ohio, in January, 
1865. After his return he worked as a farm 
hand for a few years. 

Mr. Fox was married in his old home 
neighborhood in Muskingum county. Au- 
gust 17, 1865, to Eliza Ann McDonald, who 
was born in that county and reared and edu- 
cated there. Her father. Josq^h McDonald, 
was a nati\e of Pennsylvania and in his 
childhood was taken to the Buckeye state 
where he remained during the period of his 
minority and for many years after iiis mar- 
riage. His wife wiio bore the maiden name 
of Jane Hunter was a native of Oliio. Aft- 
er Uieir marriage Mr. and Mrs. Fox began 
their domestic life on a farm, renting for 
about a year, after which they purchased a 
tract of laud on which they lived until 1872. 
In that year our subbject sold his property 
in Ohio and removed to Illinois, where he 
again o])eratcd rented land for four years. 
He then purchased his jjresent property com- 
prising one hundred annd seventy acres, on 
section 2q, Middlefork township, and with 
characteristic energy began to cultivate and 
impri)\e the fields and as the demand has 
arisen he has erected a large and substantial 
residence and good out buildings and has 
otherwise improved his pro])erty until it is 
valuable as well as attractive in ap])earance. 
He has planted shade trees around his home, 



has a good orchard and his land is well 
drained by tiling. He has also fenced iiis 
pr(i])ertv and thus divided it into fields of 
convenient size and each year lie annually 
harvests good crops and also sends a large 
number of cattle to market. 

Mrs. and Mrs. l-'ox ha\e one son living, 
Reese C)tto, who is married and carries on 
the home farm. He has two living children 
— Nellie Gertrude and Frances. Our sub- 
ject ;m(l his wife also lost a daughter, Ret- 
tie Jane, who became the wife of John Endi- 
cott and both are now^ deceased. They left 
a daughter, Bessie, who makes her home 
with her grandparents. In his political ad- 
herence Mr. Fox is a Republican, where 
national issues are involved. At local elec- 
tions, where the nbject is to secure men cap- 
able of attending to the business of town 
ur count)-, he votes independently. He has 
]jreferreil to give his time and attention to 
farm work rather than seeking office and 
thus he has never been prominent in polit- 
ical circles. He has served, however, on the 
school bnard for a number of years and has 
been eft'ecti\e in his work in behalf of educa- 
tion. His wife was reared in the faith of 
the Presbyterian church, both are highly es- 
teemed i)eopIe of the community and have 
long been identified with X'ermilion county. 
They enjcjy the warm regard of many 
friends and Mr. Fox well merits the retire- 
ment from labor which he is n(;w enjoying, 
as throug"li former years of business acti\- 
it\' he won a comfortable competence. 



F. X. ODBERT, M, D. 

Dr. F. i\. Odl)ert was born Ajtril i t. 
1857, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, 
and was educated in the public schools and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



1157 



in VVayiiesbLirg College. He studied medi- 
cine in the Jefferson Medical College, of 
Philadel])liia, Pennsylvania, and was grad- 
uated in the class of 1880. He came to In- 
dianola immediately after his graduation 
and began practice here. 

Dr. Odbert was married March 30. 1887, 
to Alice Bradway, of Fairmount. Illinois, 
and they have one child, Nellie C, now thir- 
teen years of age. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican. In his church relations the Doctor is a 
Methodist, and fraternally he is connected 
with the Benevolent and Protective Order 
of Elks and the Masonic Lodge. For twelve 
years he has been a member of the board of 
pension examiners. The Doctor enjoys a 
good practice in Indianola, which is the re- 
sult of his skill in his chosen profession, and 
he is regarded as a substantial and worthy 
citizen of the community in which he lives. 



WILLIAM G. CATHCART. 

Among the younger men of Vermilion 
county who have achieved success in the 
business world is the subject of this review, 
who was born in the town of Natrona, 
Mason county, Illinois, February 8, 1869, a 
son of John M. and Sarah J. (Alexander) 
Cathcart, both of whom were natives of 
Cotnity Tyrone, Ireland. John M. Cath- 
cart was born in that county, March 12, 
1842, in the town of Pomeroy. His father, 
Ga1>riel Cathcart. was likewise a native of 
County Tyrone as was his wife. Gabriel 
Cathcart was one of the landed proprietors 
of his community and lielonged to one of the 
old families of Ireland. He and his wife al- 
ways made their home in Ireland, although 
they visited their son several times. He 
li\ed to the ripe old age of eighty-seven 



years, while his wife passetl away at the age 
of sixty. 

John M. Cathcart was second in a fam- 
ily of seven children born to his parents and 
in the county of his nativity received a fair 
education. He early began a business ca- 
reer, however, being but si.xteen years of 
age, and for two years ran a family grocery 
store. On the ist day of March, i860, he 
sailed from Queenstown and landed in New- 
York after a voyage of thirteen days, which 
was a remarkably short time for that period. 
Coming directly west Mr. Cathcart located 
in Morgan county, Illinois, being employed 
the first summer on a farm near Alexander 
Station. He thus acquired a knowledge of 
how farming was conducted in America and 
the next year rented a farm of one hundred 
acres. He continued to rent in Morgan and 
Logan counties, Illinois, for several years 
and became quite extensively engaged in 
stock-raising. In 1866 Mr. Cathcart made 
his first purchase, locating on a farm of three 
hundred and twenty acres in Mason county, 
Illinois. This place he broke and improved 
and resided upon it for seventeen years. In 
1883 he went to Nebraska and in company 
with his brother-in-law, William and Jo- 
seph Alexander, he operated an extensive 
cattle ranch in Webster and Nuckles coun- 
ties. He continued in the cattle, business for 
four years and returning to Illinois, he 
erected a grain elevator and engaged in the 
lumber and grain business at Broadlands, 
Illinois. In 1891 Mr. Cathcart moved to 
Sidell, Illinois, where he established a similar 
business, which he conducted in connection 
with the Broadlands business up to 1896, 
since which time has l:)een living retired. 

On the 15th of Xovember. 1867, John 
M. Cathcart was uniteil in marriage to Miss 
Sarah J. Alexander, a daughter of James 



tisS 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Alexander of County Tyrone, Ireland. He 
(lied when Mrs. Catlicart ^\•as a small child 
and fnr years she made her home with her 
iirothers, William and Joseph Alexander, 
who were prominent men of Illinois. Jo- 
seph Alexander is deceased and William 
makes his home when in illindis. with .Mr. 
("athcart. He, as was his brother, is an ex- 
tensive owner of Iowa. Nebraska and Illi- 
nois farm land. Three children have been 
lK)rn to Mr. Cathcart and wife as follows: 
I'lorence, the wife of John H. Herron, died 
May 14. 1899, leaving one child, Alexander 
Cathcart Herron. a little lad of five years. 
William C. is the subject of this review. 
Jiihn is nmv serving as assistant cashier of 
the LSank of Lyons, Alexander & Com- 
pany. Mr. Cathcart and wife are members 
ot the Christian church of Sidell, in which 
he is serving as deacon. Fraternally he is a 
Mason and in political belief he is a Repub- 
lican. 

W^illiam G. Cathcart received his pri- 
mary education in the schools of Natrona, 
Illinois, which he supplemented by an attend- 
ance in a Jacksonville high school. As Mr. 
Cathcart expresses it "he had no youth" for 
at the age of fifteen he went west to Ne- 
liraska and assumed the management of 
Alexander and Cathcart's cattle ranch in 
Webster county. The exiK)sure to inclement 
weather resulted in his contracting rheuma- 
tism \'ery badly and f<ir a time it was thought 
that he would be unlit for outdoor life again, 
and partially on that account the Bank of 
Lyons, Alexander & Company, of Sidell, 
Illinois, was organized, and .Mr. Cathcart 
placed in charge as cashier, lie had pre- 
viously spent six months in the First Na- 
tion.al I'ank of Paris, Illinois, there Jamil- 
iarizing himself with banking and bank 
methods, under the direct supervision of the 



l)resident, .\. J. Bal)er. He has been cash- 
ier since its organization in 18S7 and two 
years later was admitted to the firm as a 
partner. In 1896 Mr. Cathcart. his broth.er- 
iii-law. John H. Herron, and his father, 
John .\[. Cathcart, established the Sidell 
grain and clexator company which was in- 
cor[)()rateil in 190.? with our subject as i)resi- 
dent. The firm owns and operates seven 
elexators beside the transfer elevator at Mt. 
X'ernon. Illinois, which has a capacity of 
one hundred and fifty thousand bushels of 
grain. Mr. Cathcart is tlie president of two 
national b;mks in Indian Territory, the We- 
leetka and the I'lrst National of Wewoka. 
Roth banks were established in 1902 and are 
in thriving condition. In connection with 
his wife .Mr. Cathcart owns and operates 
sixteen hundred acres of land, to which he 
gives his acti\e super\-ision. 

The marriage of William G. Cathcart 
and ]\Iiss .Vnna Sconce was celebrated June 
12, !890. She is a daughter of James S. 
and Emma ( Sodow.sky) Sconce, a complete 
record of whose li\es appear elsewhere in 
this volume. One child has blessed 
the union of our sul)ject and his 
wife; Cclia S., born May 9, 1893, 
is attending the home school. ]5oth 
Mr. and Mrs. Cathcart are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. I'"raternally he 
is a memljer of the l)lue lodge at Sidell and 
the chapter at Danville of the Masonic fra- 
ternity and also of the ]jcne\-olent and Pro- 
tective Order of Elks of Danville. In po- 
litical belief he is ;i st.alwart Republican, and 
has served as mayor ;uid trustee of Sidell. 
I"ew if any men are more widely known in 
the section of the state in which he lives than 
Mr. (.'.■Uhc.irt, and the esteem in which he is 
held is but a just tribute to the sterling worth 
of the man. 



